The Place We Live in, Arting Project 2015

The postulate of intergenerational equality defined in the late 1980s is still valid: "at the current level of civilization, sustainable development is possible, i.e. development in which the needs of the present generation can be met without compromising the opportunities of future generations to meet them." Sustainable development requires us to give our children a world that will be no worse than the one we live in.

Sustainable development defined in this way has become the goal of development policy on a global, European, national and local scale, and its concept is based on three pillars: social, economic and ecological. The general definition of sustainable design and individual disciplines of sustainable design are also considered in their context. These definitions emphasize that sustainable design is systems-based, not so much about designing products to last as long as possible, but primarily about designing and maintaining healthy social, economic and ecological systems. After all, nothing exists in isolation, everything is part of a larger system, responsible design is constantly embedded in the context of systems. This means that in many cases, a designer's work goes beyond the design of physical objects and also includes the design of all aspects of everyday life. There is a need to raise the level of awareness of conducting sustainable and responsible projects through the integration of information, knowledge and thinking when creating system solutions.

We all need to stimulate the development of "natural" values-based (not cost-based) habits that will lead our actions towards a more responsible way of living and working. The nature of design and the market for material goods have evolved significantly over the last two centuries. Starting with the industrial revolution, through the transport revolution and the digital revolution, to the "next industrial revolution" (in William McDonough). After the markets have been saturated with material goods at the expense of the natural environment and the accompanying financial crisis, it is time for further important changes. In the era of depleting natural resources, a technological revolution is beginning, which is a challenge for contemporary designers. Growing professional challenges increased design responsibility and were also a source of inspiration. Design tasks are becoming more and more complicated and take into account the good of many factors: the health and satisfaction of the user, the entrepreneur's profit and not harming or even supporting the natural environment.

Sustainable design presents a design philosophy that values ​​the natural environment as an integral factor in creating new products or modifying old ones. Sustainable designs seek to maximize overall efficiency using local resources such as: transportation methods, energy efficiency, environmental protection and restoration, natural and renewable energy sources, water conservation, recycled and non-toxic materials, healthy and productive interiors. The philosophy of sustainable design is an integrated, holistic approach to solving design problems that stimulates compromise and change.

We cannot ignore the problem of high levels of consumerism, which also adversely affect the natural environment. Fossil fuels are needed to produce goods, package them and transport them, and burning them releases huge amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Designers in teams with other specialists can develop strategies that will change social awareness, including the perception of consumption. The debate on the scale of the actual threat has been going on for decades, commitments are being made by individual countries and everywhere in the world people are slowly realizing that intervention is needed.

Sustainable design with respect for the natural heritage and striving to equalize opportunities for societies forces us to broaden our horizons and comprehensively consider a complex design task. Currently, designers and architects cooperate more and more frequently with specialists and scientists from other fields, designing new products, services and experiences.

The activities of the People-Innowacje-Design Foundation to raise the level of awareness in the area of ​​sustainable design are another voice in this important discussion, and the design competition "The Place We Live" Arting 2015 project is the next edition focused on responsible design. The collection of projects submitted to the competition is not only an overview of products and concepts using responsible design, but also an equally important set of cases informing each of us about problems and ways of solving them. The creators of Transition Town Totnes (TTT) believe that it is only through the involvement of each of us - residents, public institutions, enterprises, social organizations and schools - that the most innovative, effective and practical ideas are initiated and the energy and skills necessary to implement these ideas are generated. . “Our future has the potential to be more profitable and enjoyable than it is today - by working together we can unleash the collective enthusiasm and genius of our community” (via TTT). Regardless of whether we are a consumer or a designer and consumer, in the everyday life of each of us what is important is our attitude and level of respect for nature and its goods as well as our own intellectual and material resources. The repetition of small everyday activities and gestures, the introduction of rituals, create a whole in the system and significantly influence the level of consumption of natural resources. Design can help redirect consumers' aspirations in their lifestyle and consumption, while stimulating the market for sustainable new proposals and solutions. In addition to quality and costs, the list of arguments determining the choice of a product or service includes the impact on carbon dioxide emissions, energy consumption and sources, and the place of production.

Sustainable design, treated as part of sustainable development, becomes a challenge for contemporary and future generations of designers. Shrinking
non-renewable energy resources, wasteful land management, desertification of cultivated areas, deterioration of living conditions mean that every designer, regardless of specialty, should meet the requirements of economical management of natural resources and shaping a high-quality living environment.