Reimagining Alternative Technology for Design in the 21st Century

Brook S. Kennedy

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN: 9780367410230
• eBook ISBN: 9781000870237
• Topic: Architecture
• Subtopic: Architecture General

Reimagining Alternative Technology for Design in the 21st Century presents a new approach to design that harnesses still-valuable alternative, traditional and abandoned technologies alongside the creation of new ones to address contemporary global problems. It focuses on design opportunities that reduce energy and material consumption to tackle issues such as climate change and pollution in industrialized economies.

The book takes the reader on a journey surveying different facets of human activity to identify underused and discarded technologies that could be indispensable today. It critically addresses newer approaches to design and technology by comparing them to existing alternatives, unpacking examples including air conditioning with smart thermostats, electric lighting, durable reusable products, domestic maintenance tools and methods of transportation.

Written for practicing designers and students in industrial design, architecture, sustainable design and human-centered design, this book provides new ideas and tools for creating more useful, energy-and-resource-efficient product designs and systems.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Endorsements
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• List of Figures
• Acknowledgements
• Preface
• Introduction: Alternative Technology for the 21st Century
• 1 Why Should Alternative Technology Be Reexamined?
• 2 The Imperfect Renaissance of the American City Street: Sidewalks, Bike Lanes and Electric Surface Transit
• 3 Heating and Cooling: Alternatives for Thermal Comfort
• 4 Daylighting vs. Electric Lighting
• 5 The Hidden Costs of Domestic Upkeep
• 6 Return to Durable Design
• 7 Reimagining Design with Traditional Materials
• 8 Manual and Therefore Modern?
• 9 Manufacturing with Water, Wind and Human Power
• 10 Transporting Goods and People
• Conclusion: Alternative Principles for 21st-Century Design
• Index