Course detail

Materiality and Environmental Responsibility in Design

FaVU-1MaUDeAcad. year: 2025/2026

The course will introduce theoretical frameworks essential for critically reflecting on the environmental impacts of material decisions in design practice. In addition to traditional lectures and practical exercises, the course will include discussions with external experts from various fields. Students will become familiar with the principles of the circular economy, materials that respond to environmental challenges, and methods for assessing their ecological impact through life cycle assessment (LCA). They will learn to analyze the environmental footprint of materials and explore new ways of using them within circular strategies.

Towards the end of the course, students will work on a team assignment where they will apply the acquired knowledge to evaluate the potential and weaknesses of a selected material resource – raw material – and its application in a product or system design solution. The main outcome of the course is an interdisciplinary group project in which students will propose their own material solution or concept for the use of a sustainable material in a specific design context. They will present their results during the final session, where they will defend their proposal and engage in collective critical reflection.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. MgA. Mikuláš Macháček

Department

Department of Design (KDE)

Entry knowledge

No specific expertise is required.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

To pass the course, students are required to attend classes (a maximum of 2 excused absences is allowed), actively participate in lessons, and take part in the final practical part of the course – group project/workshop/presentation.

Aims

The aim of the course is to introduce students (SP Design) to the principles of sustainability in design and material innovations. The course will combine theoretical knowledge with a practical group exercise and will enable students to critically reflect on the environmental impacts of material choices in design practice.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

FRANKLIN, Kate, a Caroline TILL. Radical matter: rethinking materials for a sustainable future. 1. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd, 2018. ISBN 978-0-500-29539-7. (EN)
HAFFMANS, Siem, et al. Products That Flow: Circular Business Models and Design Strategies for Fast-Moving Consumer Goods. 1. Amsterdam: BIS Publishers. 2018. ISBN 978-90-6369-498-2. (EN)
LIPPS, Andrea, Matilda MCQUAID, Caitlin CONDELL a Géne BERTRAND. Nature: Collaboration in Design. 1. New York: Cooper Hewitt, 2019. ISBN 978-1-942303-23-7. (EN)
MATERIAL DESIGNERS. Boosting Talent towards circular economies. Elisava, Politecnico di Milano, Matter. 2020. ISBN: 978-84-09-224439-3. Dostupné z: https://re.public.polimi.it/bitstream/11311/1164651/1/Rognoli%204_MaDe-Book.pdf (EN)
PAPANEK, Victor. Zelený imperativ: etika a ekologie v designu. 1. vyd. Praha: UMPRUM, 2023. ISBN 978-80-88263-60-4. (CS)

Type of course unit

Lecture

20 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. MgA. Mikuláš Macháček

Syllabus

1/ Úvodní hodina: představení způsobu výuky (téma přednášek vč. plánu účasti externistů – expertních talků, hodnocené výstupy), cvičení pro sjednocení slovníku a pojmů, představení rámce předmětu: Udržitelnost v designu a materiálech – ekologie vs. udržitelnost, 9 planetárních hranic, climate change, Earth overshoot day. 2/ Cirkulární ekonomika a design: butterfly diagram - design pro opravitelnost, optimalizace materiálového využití, design pro recyklaci, problematika kompozitů a pojiv. 3/ Recyklace, upcyklace, downcyklace (chemická vs. mechanická): take back systems a participace spotřebitelů, monomateriálový design, systémová řešení i low tech přístupy. 4/ LCA a Circular Materiality Index: Je udržitelnost měřitelná? Možnosti a limity uplatnění analytických metod v praxi. 5/ Budoucnost tradičních materiálů a jejich úskalí a alternativy: Sklo, keramika, kovy, dřevo. 6/ Plasty a inovace: Je polyester horší než bavlna? Potenciál plastů, kdy jejich využití dává smysl, uzavírání materiálových toků, mikroplasty. 7/ Biomateriály: Bio-based, biodegradable, compostable, bioplasty. 8/ Growing/living materials: Materiály z řas, kvasinek, hub a bakterií. 9/ „Kůže, krev a trus“: Inovativní materiály z nečekaných zdrojů. 10/ Inovativní přístupy ve vývoji materiálů: Interdisciplinární týmy a příklady dobré praxe. Jak na (mezioborovou) spolupráci?

Practical class

6 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. MgA. Mikuláš Macháček

Syllabus

11/ Workshop (zadání skupinového úkolu, práce na úkolu). 12/ Workshop (práce na úkolu, konzultace). 13/ Workshop (prezentace výsledků).