Is low-tech the new sustainable?
Let’s go back in time
Within the sustainable design scene there have been several trends and patterns of how to design in order to be environmentally sustainable. There are rather new ideas like the Cradle-to-Cradle philosophie, in which products are designed within a technical or natural circular system. Another big trend (more so outside of the field) is to move towards high-tech electrical products, like cars, bikes, scooters, kitchen products and so on. Eventhough they use up incredible amounts of electricity and generate massive amounts of non-recyclable e-waste, they somehow also carry the underlying assumption of being sustainable. What now? Let’s look into the exact opposite.
Let me introduce to you a new solution (or maybe the oldest solution?) of how design can be made for sustainability. Let’s design low-tech! — Yes, LOW-tech! I know what you’re thinking: How can my design be innovative and new if it is low-tech? Shouln’t we design for the future?
Yes, let me just proof my point through these amazing examples collected by curating my Instagram page: Greendesigns_.
The Blue Project by design students Jacob Almandersson and Alexandra Fransson is a water kettle addressing our need for feedback and information to create sustainable behaviour change.
The design students wanted to bridge the intention-action gap that occurs when trying to live a sustainable life. They created a water kettle that regulates water and heat by demanding user presence. It gives emotionally tangible feedback on energy use and has a marking that shows the environmental impact of production — urging users to commit to longer dedicated use. With a device that visualizes ongoing energy use with an anxious shaking, the kettle calls attention to resource use in a more emotionally accessible way.
A marking that shows the date when environmental impact of its production has been compensated through use, can make users commit to keeping products longer. This enables consumers to easily compare different sustainable alternatives, and can act as an incentive for producers to lower environmental impact.
Their goal was to make users more aware of unnoticed environmental consequences of everyday actions — making the transition to sustainable habits easier.
Rokcoffee is a London-based company producing beautiful, sustainable and functional coffee machines, as well as -accessoires. By going back to the roots, they are able to make the products work without electricity.
Through that, ROK does not contribute to the rising amount of e-waste that is generated each year. Moreover, ROK has the smallest carbon footprint in its class with one espresso using only 2200 watts per kettle boil ($0.01 per day), which is what the water heater produces. They also make sure to use long lasting materials and have sustainability and longevity in mind throughout the whole production process. Also, the machines produces no waste (the used coffee is composable).
‘Adobe Solar Lamp’ by design student Luis Fernando Barrios was created to fit into the context of his country of origin, Mexico. By using local waste materials, Luis provides the opportunity for anyone with no electricity services to build a lamp for themselves! There are roughly 7 million Mexicans living in rural areas, who would fall into this category and are in use of this innovative design.
The waste materials he uses are adobe (mud), paper waste and cactus slime, which are all natural and available all over the country. Cactus slime actually has a rich history in this region, is easy to grow, lightweight, low-cost and very durable. This mixture becomes firm by putting it into sunlight and letting it dry.
