The laboratory conducts research on sustainable, circular design to develop circular design, sustainable material design, and sustainable product design methods using digital manufacturing technologies. The themes are ‘Circular Design’, ‘Biomimicry’, ‘Sustainable Materials’, ‘Smart and Sustainable Clothing’, ‘Design and Sustainability Communication’, and ‘Design and Socio-tech Transformation Processes’, all focusing on the transformation of business – product/service, consumption and living habits, and environment. This laboratory combines art and science to form a new creative and scientific synthesis.
The research combines artistic and scientific research methods, so that the results are both practical and theoretical. Practical results include new materials, sustainable products and their design, and new brands for sustainable design services and products. The theoretical results contribute to the knowledge base of the scientific and artistic communities, opening up new avenues for academic research.
In the lab, the zero-kilometre philosophy and digital manufacturing technologies enable the development of new products and materials using circular design and economic principles, thus creating a sustainable approach in business and among consumers. The aim is to continue the circuloop.lt (FLOOD) project by developing cooperation with companies and small developers.
The Material Library (Material DesignLibrary project, funded by the LCT) will be launched in 2024. Students are involved through the modules “Prototyping Methods” and “Bionics and Biomimicry in Design”, which underline the laboratory’s contribution not only to science and art, but also to studies.
