Research design studio expert in circularity Biennale 2022 talk

2022-07-26

Biennale internationale design Saint‑Etienne 2022 : BIFUR-CATIONS

Research design

During the professional week organized as part of the Biennale Internationale Design Saint-Étienne 2022, we were invited to participate in the roundtable discussion titled "Which types of design are the most resilient?"

Nicolas Chauveau presented 3 projects from the agency focusing on the reuse of WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment):

Medimoov: A device for motor rehabilitation through video games, developed by NaturalPad.
Cofee maker Desiring What is Discarded: A prototype developed with bold-design Studio and the 8 Fablab Drôme.
Ceramic 3D-printed Cooler: In collaboration with the 8 Fablab Drôme

A day dedicated to "Bifurcation among Designers"

A full day dedicated to exploring the ethical, social, and economic dimensions of design. We had the opportunity to discover a variety of inspiring collaborative innovation initiatives. Here are a few examples:

Régine Charvet Pello – From the RCP Design Global agency and the VALESENS association – An entrepreneur with a resolute enthusiasm, she brings together a team of designers, retired carpenters, and individuals in professional reintegration for the 2022 program La belle équipe : Habiter surcyclé (Living in Upcycled Homes).

For several years, the Smarin studio has been conducting research on therapeutic objects through mechanics. Stéphanie Marin designs solutions that promote better posture and movement to enhance physical abilities and maintain health. One example is Les Schaises: a flexible seating solution that improves blood circulation, encourages proper posture, allows airflow, and reduces passive inactivity.

Research design studio Lyon expert in circularity existing analysis Les Schaises

Exposition

We took advantage of our visit to the Biennale to explore the exhibition. Its density prevented us from experiencing it in its entirety, but some proposals unanimously captured the team's attention!

The issue of mobility has been a key focus for our agency for several years. Therefore, we were particularly drawn to the exhibition-documentary Autofiction: A Biography of the Automobile Object, which explores the automobile as a reflection of the omnipresence of technology in our daily lives.

The automobile theme also appears in the section Singulier Plurielles, In Contemporary Africa, featuring the KARENJY vehicle. Over the years, this vehicle has rethought its design and production methods. Today, it is produced on a nearly artisanal scale in small batches, serving as a tool for territorial development.

Whether addressing mobility, health, public spaces, or cultural transmission, all the projects presented share a common foundation: they are deeply rooted in local culture, customs, and craftsmanship, from design to production.

As advocates of the "essential trait" approach, one initiative that particularly stood out was that of designer Mathilde Pellé, Maison soustraire, a postériori. This research work delves into subtractive actions applied to materials, objects, and uses. The exhibition presents the outcome after 8 weeks of removing two-thirds of the material from 112 objects within a living space. This radical questioning challenges the dogma of objects in contemporary Western societies!

Banc d'essai: Public, Sports, and Recreational Spaces!

Alongside the Biennale Internationale design Saint-Etienne, installations were presented in the public spaces of the city for the new edition of Banc d’essai.

"About sixty companies and urban furniture publishers were invited to test their creativity and collaborate with designers to develop new products that contribute to enhancing the conviviality of public spaces. The last three editions of Banc d’essai generated numerous innovative objects that have become true references."

Among the selected projects, the public had the opportunity to discover Losonnante.