posted on 17 Jan 2011
Designing for obsolescence!
‘Cradle to Cradle’ (NOT, please note, ‘Cradle to Grave’) is the concept developed by the architect William McDonough and the Swiss chemist Michael Braungart, that brings together ecology and human design.
William McDonough (L) & Michael Braungart (R)
Their key thesis contends that a sustainable economy must begin at the design stage of any product or project, so that the components used in production can be reused later, and the environment protected for the benefit of future generations.
This is in stark contrast to our modern “throwaway society” characterized by landfill and profligate waste. ‘Cradle to cradle’ subtly implies obsolescence factored into the initial design stage – but with re-use in mind rather than disposal. It gives a whole new meaning to the term ‘built in obsolescence’
The following short video on The Next Industrial Revolution will give FNA readers a flavor of what sustainability is all about.
There are a myriad of videos on YouTube about the ‘Cradle to Cradle’ concept including full length documentaries.
Even though McDonough can be controversial and even radical in some of his pronouncements and comparisons, there is little alternative when it is a question of saving the planet for future generations.