When we judge a product’s sensitivity to the environment, we often focus on its physical properties—what it’s made of, how much energy it consumes, and what kind of impact it will have on the landscape if it’s discarded. Less commonly thought about is how a product’s formal qualities—its design—can contribute to the goal of sustainability.
Consider modular design, which refers to the combination of standardized and interchangeable parts, or modules, to form larger compositions. LEGOs are probably the best known example of a modular system of design, but many other products reflect the same idea.
In what ways does modular design support environmentalism? To answer that question, start by asking yourself when the last time was that you or your child threw out any LEGOs. Because modular products by definition encourage reuse and renewal rather than disposability, they serve to reduce waste and consumption. So does the fact that you can usually get modules “by the piece,” which allows you to gather just the right quantity of product that your budget, or your space, allows—and then to add more if circumstances change later.
As a practicing architect, I was introduced to the concept of modularity when commissioned to design a group of prefab cottages for a resort project. The idea of creating work with a limited palette of standardized units was very intriguing to me, and eventually led to the discovery that there was no single resource for art and product design that was transformable, flexible and interactive. MODULE R was born to fill that gap.
Our catalog now numbers over a thousand pieces, and out of that assortment I’ve pulled out a half-dozen works of modular design that we hope demonstrates that something which looks good can do good too. A few more examples, that we don’t carry because they’re either just too big or are still in a concept phase, round out our top ten list of sustainable modular products for 2012.
Tegu Magnetic Blocks
Modular design implies play, and play starts with childhood. So it’s not surprising that many children’s toys are modular, and foster the kind of open-ended free play that stimulates mental development. One of our favorites, Tegu blocks are fabricated from sustainably sourced, eco-friendly Honduran hardwoods and assembled by local craftspeople.
Honeycomb Trivets
