International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN: 2319-7064 SJIF (2019): 7.583 Volume 9 Issue 11, November 2020 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Sustainable Furniture Design: Considerations for Building Sustainable Furniture Design Shahd Ibrahim Farran 1, Sonali Walimbe 2 1 Student-The University of Jordan shahdfarran[at]gmail.com 2 Professor, Manipal School of Architecture and Planning, Manipal, India sonali.w[at]manipal.edu Abstract: The concept of sustainability has become increasingly important and needs to be thought as part of our lifestyle. It plays a key role in addressing environmental and social concerns which are critical today. Sustainability is not only being environmentally conscious; it also aims for social equity and economic development. Various assessment tools are available to assist designers, developers and regulatory bodies to reduce the negative impacts of the building construction industry. These tools raised awareness on environmental issues the world is facing also, helped achieve sustainability and improve building performance. Following the construction industry is the furniture industry. The development of technology for industrial production has changed the furniture industry bringing in a lot of environmental problems. This concern of environmental issues has led large companies to create furniture that does not create a threat to the planet. Designers need to consider different aspects when designing and creating furniture. This paper presents the thought process required for designing sustainable furniture. It enlists the criteria related to sustainable design to meet the necessities of individuals and the development of the society, wise consumption of natural resources while supporting sustainable economic growth. The study puts forth the idea of having a digital tool for assessing sustainability for a furniture designed for use and indicates its level accomplished. Keywords: sustainable design, eco-design, furniture design, sustainable furniture design criteria, digitalization. 1. Introduction The term sustainability was first introduced to the public in the 1970s, and ever since then the term has become very popular, with nearly every conference mentioning the word ―sustainable‖. According to Lele, ―Sustainable development has become the watchword for international aid agencies, the jargon of development planners, the theme of conferences and learned papers, and the slogan of developmental and environmental activists.‖ (Lele, 1991). This however doesn`t compensate for the fact the world is suffering because of human behaviors and the bad impacts it is causing right now. First attempts for sustainable design occurred in the end of 1980s and caught attention in different sectors, furniture being one amongst them. Many art movements supported sustainable design such as the one that began with the ―ready-made‖ movement. Today the design discipline and processes are greatly affected by the technological advances, which makes it even more critical to integrate sustainable furniture designs and digital tools. This paper discusses sustainable furniture and attempts to come up with clear points on measuring sustainability for a furniture piece. We will start by defining sustainability and its pillars with an emphasis on economic and environmental pillars. We will also touch upon introduction of sustainable thinking and its application in design methodology by investigating strategies and criteria to make furniture sustainable. Lastly, we will view the impacts of digital tools on the practice of sustainable furniture design and highlight the importance of such tool. Understanding Sustainability There is much discussion about how one "defines" sustainability. The term, though very popular, is very vouge. Critics argue that the concept is useless because it cannot be "adequately defined." However, that doesn‘t mean no definitions were ever made. Below mentioned are few popular definitions of sustainability. ―The idea that goods and services should be produced in ways that do not use resources that cannot be replaced and that do not damage the environment.‖ — Cambridge Dictionary ―Meeting the needs of the present without compromisi ng the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.‖ — The World Commission on Environment and Development "Sustainability is the [emerging] doctrine that economic growth and development must take place, and be maintained over time, within the limits set by ecology in the broadest sense -- by the interrelations of human beings and their works, and the biosphere...It follows that environmental protection and economic development are complementary rather than antagonistic processes."— William D. Ruckelshaus. Scientific American. September 1989 Sustainable design is also known as ecological, eco-design, green design or eco-friendly design‘ and will refer to the process of making a sustainable product. For the purposes of this paper sustainability is defined as a set of actions taken to reduce negative effects on the environment, society and mankind, and to reduce cost, labor of a product while providing a suitable work environment, all to improve the quality of life without draining out natural Paper ID: SR201119154009 DOI: 10.21275/SR201119154009 1069