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Research Presentation Day – Wednesday 21st January '04

Design for Sustainability (DfS)

Mr Dare Awobiyi

First Year (part-time) PhD Student

Supervisor: Prof Neal Juster

Dr Angela Stone

Dr Alex Duffy

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An Overview

Introduction Definition of Design for Sustainability Aims and objective Concept of ‘Design for Sustainability’

Discussion Keywords Design for Sustainability Issues Literature survey findings on DfS The gaps in current knowledge Research questions arising from the gaps Initial approach and methodology Research next step

Conclusions Any Questions?

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Introduction

Definition of Design for Sustainability (DfS):Design for Sustainability can be defined as the process of designing goods

and services that takes into account all dimensions of sustainable

development, covering factors of environment, economic, social and the

physical attributes required for the realisation of the products or services.

Aim and objective:The aim and objective of this research is to establish knowledge gaps

in the DfS field and attempt at bridging some these gaps in order to

advance knowledge of the subject.

Concept of ‘Design for Sustainability’From the definition, it is evident that product design for sustainability is

to be considered from total life cycle perspective, if all the sustainabilitycircles are to be covered �

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Discussion

Keywords: Design, Sustainability, Design for Sustainability (DfS), DfS Metrics and Measurement, DfS Performance.

Design for Sustainability Issues Environmental Impacts:

• Pollution, Toxic substances, Waste management, Greenhouse gases.

• Environmental Management System: ISO14000 series. • European Union Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)

– Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive.

Unsustainable consumption of natural resources - (materials usage). Energy Requirements to support the growing level of economic and

social activities (world population growth). Total life cycle approach for products development - cradle to grave. DfS compliance:

• new products• existing products

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Discussion cont’d

Literature survey findings on DfS DfS is a relatively new subject area.

No clear cut approach for determining DfS criteria from the perspective. of either a new or an existing product.

Designers lack the knowledge and design aids/tools to facilitate good decision making during design process execution.

A lot of the current knowledge and research works are centred on environmental issues.

The gaps in current knowledge Lack of Concise Definition of DfS cycle.

Lack of sustainability criteria for product design and development. Lack of DfS Performance framework by which different products can be

measured and/or compared for sustainability criteria compliance

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Research questions arising from the gaps What is DfS cycle for product realisation?

What are the design attributes that will fulfil sustainable development

criteria?

What are the factors that define a new or an existing product under DfS

framework?

How can DfS Efficiency (DfS) be measured and determined?

How can DfS Effectiveness (DfS) be determined and measured?

What measures a product’s DfS Performance? �

Discussion cont’d

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Establish the current knowledge in the field of Design for Sustainability (DfS). Define and develop a total life cycle framework for DfS. Define and develop the attributes of design activity for Sustainability Compliance. Determine and Evaluate Design for Sustainability (DfS) requirements for a new product development. Determine and Evaluate DfS requirements for redesigning of existing products in order to meet

Sustainability Compliance requirements. Develop the appropriate metrics for DfS Performance

e.g. defining the DfS Performance as: 

Initial Approach and Methodology

DfS Performance = DfS * DfS *100%

where DfS = DfS Efficiency (resource usage e.g. materials and energy)

DfS = DfS Effectiveness (a measure of compliant with QFD and DfS goals)

Test the approach on two types of product e.g. a household electrical good and a high value good.

Social (So)

Economic (Ec)

Environmental (En)

Unified DfS Region/Field (Area of this PhD research)

Figure 1. Sustainability Circles

Social

Environmental

Economic

Truly DfS compliant region

Figure 2. 3D representation of Sustainability Circles

Produce a research thesis based on results obtained

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Scope the research work to cover the knowledge gaps to be addressed using the DfS total life cycle approach

Modify the methodology to reflect the scope of work Conduct the research starting with the 3-Circles of Sustainability Develop the appropriate DfS principles and framework that will allow product’s

DfS Performance to be measured Apply the principles and framework to two chosen product types to test Record and document the findings �

Research Next Step

Market Triggers Need or Want

Invention and Ideas

Concept and Design

Materials Requirements

Produce and Manufacture

Package and Distribute

Use, Service and Maintain

DiscardEnd of Life Strategy process

Market Impacts and reactions

1 2 3 4 5

678

910

Figure 3. Proposed DfS Total Life Cycle

DfS Application Zone

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Further Work

Extend approach from the 3 Circles’ of Sustainability to the 4 DfS Circles Rationale being:

The primary purpose of product design is to fulfil some requirements or need. This primary purpose, by default, will imply physical and functional (e.g. QFD)

attributes. The consequences that may then manifest in one of all of the 3 circles of

sustainability �

Environmental (En)Social (So)

Economic (Ec)

Unified DfS Region/Field (Area of this PhD research)

Physical Attributes (Pa)

Figure 4. DfS Circles

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Conclusions

Only the initial literature survey part of the research has been done

The gap in DfS knowledge established The research questions aimed at developing the scope of

work have been developed

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Thank You

Any Questions?