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Location: Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Focus area: Environmental responsibility & ethical design work, Environmental Design, circular economycircular economyA systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. It is based on three principles, driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature. campus
Teaching & Learning
MDes Design Innovation and the Circular Economy
As a Master of Design program this course engages students with the key principles and approaches of the circular economy through studio-based projects. This course focuses on the technical, social, ecological and political landscape of the circular economy. Enabling the synthesis of circular economy theories and practices into contemporary design innovation practice, as a method of developing environmental and socially conscious design.
MDes Design Innovation and the circular economy
This course focuses on the study of Circular economy and applicable theories and practices within the domain of design. It aims to introduce and enhance understanding of the circular economy and how it can apply to various creative practices such as architecture, fashion and textiles and design innovation.
Permaculture Design
The course content is designed to develop an understanding of design innovation practices as applied to the substantive context of perma-culture explored via practical engagement and supported by related seminars and expert inputs. Perma-Culture Design introduces students to contemporary design methods and practices applied to the context and exploration of permaculture. The Course allows students to explore the possibilities created by adopting or adapting permaculture methods and their relation to design.
Research Initiatives
AHRC funded Re-Mantle and Make
The project aimed to investigate how best to use open-access community workshops, also referred to as ‘make spaces’, to cultivate circular thinking for textile designers and to provide them with resources to develop circular design knowledge and practice. The project explored how future maker spaces can be utilised as local hubs to support innovation within Scotland’s circular economy, particularly within the Scottish textile sector.
MEARU
The Mackintosh Environmental Architecture Research Unit (MEARU) was established in 1986 within the Mackintosh School of Architecture. MEARU undertakes strategic and applied research into a wide range of aspects of sustainable environmental design, responding to a growing commitment to user-centred, low energy, eco-sensitive architecture in the context of increasing global concerns.
Campus Management and Student-led Initiatives
GSA sustainability works within the Glasgow School of Art’s curriculum and estate on issues of social, environmental and ethical (SEE) interest. It supports students to question their practice, to question why things are done the way they are, and to offer future solutions and inspiration to create a more positive, innovative society, and a safer and better planet. The Sustainability in Action Groupbrings together staff and students to discuss interests and plan strategies toward making environmental and social actions which are relevant to the community at the GSA. Some of the initiatives that involve or are led by students are highlighted below:
Rummage - Rummage is GSA’s regular reusereuseThe repeated use of a product or component for its intended purpose without significant modification. event, where students can pick up secondhand items (for free) that have been donated by other students. The aim is to encourage thinking and action around the circular economy.
GSA Sustainability funds a GSA membership for Glasgow Scrap Store, whereby students of GSA can gain access to re-purposed materials and art supplies, a useful initiative that enables reuse and also helps students cut their material costs.
The Glasgow Zero Waste Map collective map displays an ever-growing selection of services, shops and organisations which help others explore alternative choices and live a zero-waste lifestyle in Glasgow.
A multi-institution initiative funded by Zero Waste Scotland and born out of GSA Sustainability, Radial is a collective of creative thinkers from the higher education community across Glasgow who share a vision to build a more sustainable future. The collective’s core aim is to inspire action toward a zero-waste society through the exploration, practice and sharing of ideas that are rooted in the circular economy and resource efficiency. It involved students, staff, volunteers and facilitators spread across creative disciplines from the Glasgow School of Art, University of Glasgow, Glasgow Caledonian University and University Strathclyde.
Biological cycles; food and biodiversity
As well as encouraging recycling practices and low-carbon travel options, GSA Sustainability covers a range of grassroots activities via GSA Grow. The collective’s activities can encompass Fair Trade and ethical sourcing, food co-ops, organic veg bag deliveries, and food and natural dye growing. Furthermore, GSA Grow works with the local community of Garnethill and students from Glasgow University on community gardens and is planning the development of beehives run by GSA students in the same area.
ThrowAwayGourmet is a regular, open event at the Glasgow School of Art that utilises surplus food. The meal is organised on a ‘feed-in and be fed’ basis and the purpose of the event is to strengthen the community within the GSA whilst raising awareness of the problem of food waste and the impact of eating habits. The event sources fruit and vegetables from produce that is being discarded from a market on the outskirts of Glasgow.
Connect with:
Dr Iain Reid, Service Design Lecturer, Programme Coordinator, Innovation School (i.reid@gsa.ac.uk)
Dr Paul Smith, Research Fellow, The Innovation School (p.smith@gsa.ac.uk)
