The Sustainable Design Laboratory of the Department of Architecture – DIDA of the University of Florence includes teachers, researchers, PhD students and trainees that work in the various fields of design  – strategic, product, communication and services – with a special focus on environmental, social, cultural and economic sustainability.
The Laboratory carries out its activities in close connection with the other laboratories of the DIDALABS system.

Opening hours

Monday to Thursday 9.30 - 13 and 14.30 - 18.30

Progetti sviluppati

• Design for the environmental sustainability of businesses and products

TRIACA - Technological solutions for the reduction of the environmental impact of campers in the usage phase “Bando unico R&S - linea di intervento 1.4-1.6” of the Tuscan Region - DIDA, 2012-15.
MIAMI - Improvement of the environmental impact of furniture through the usage of stuffing, padding and upholstery, for “Bando unico R&S - linea di intervento 1.4- 1.6” of the Tuscan Region - DIDA, 2012-15.
HIGH CHEST - High Chest, for “Bando unico R&S - linea di intervento 1.4-1.6” of the Tuscan Region - DIDA, 2012- 14.
TEMA - Technology and innovative materials for environmental quality and sustainability in campers, for “Bando unico R&S - linea A” of the Tuscan Region - TAD, 2009-11.

• Design for the valorization of the territory

GARFAGNANA - Design for the valorization of the Garfagnana region, together with the municipalities of the Garfagnana, - DIDA, 2014-15.
VALDELSA - Valorization of the excellency of places and knowledges, for “Bando unico R&S - linea di intervento 1.5.d” of the Tuscan Region - DIDA, 2012.
VALLOMBROSA - Design per la valorization of the territory of Vallombrosa, - TAD, 2011.

• Design for social innovation

TUTTI MATTI PER IL DESIGN in partnership with Cooperativa sociale Quadrifoglio, - DIDA, 2013-14.
RIÙ in partnership with Re Mida Centro di Riuso Creativo, - DIDA, 2013-14.
PROGETTO ALTRO for Laboratorio delle Differenze, - TAD, 2012-13.
MANITESE FIRENZE - Agreement protocol with Cooperativa Riciclaggio e Solidarietà for the creation of the Possible Alternatives Lab, - TAD, 2009-11.

• Design for the global South

3D DESIGN pour le developpement durable des productions artisanales locales, for “Tempus Jpcr”, of the European Union, - DIDA, 2013-16.
ARTIMED, for “Programma di sostegno alla cooperazione regionale APQ Mediterraneo, Linea 2.1 Marocco” of the  Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry for Economic Development, - DIDA, 2013.
PALESTINIAN AUTONOMOUS TERRITORIES – Reinforcement of the technical and administrative capacities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Development of Agro-Industry, - TAD, 2012.
APQ - Development of traditional artisan knowledge and interaction of productive systems in Morocco and Italy, for “Programma di sostegno alla cooperazione regionale APQ Mediterraneo, Linea 2.1 Marocco” of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry for Economic Development, TAD, 2009-12.
ZAGORA - Valorization and innovation of artisan production from palms in the province of  Zagora, Morocco, for the “Cooperazione decentrata” project of the Tuscan Region - TAD, 2006-07.

Areas of Intervention

• For the environmental sustainability of businesses and products

The Laboratory works on environmental issues through the application of the principles of LCD – Life Cycle Design, the support to eco-design tools, and the usage of  LCA – Life Cycle Analisys methodologies.
The activities focus on the undertaking of strategic projects aimed at regional business systems and single companies in various productive sectors – from home appliances, to campers and furniture.

• For the valorization of the region

LDS operates in the valorization of the region through strategic design projects – understood as product, communication and services design. Every aspect is focused on the principles of sustainability – traditional know-how, the central role of social capital, and material and immaterial assets as sources of innovation. Both principles and methods have been put to the test in projects for the cultural, tourism and manufacturing sectors.

• With the global South

Amongst the activities of the Sustainable Design Laboratory are research projects carried out in partnership with countries belonging to the global South, in full awareness that in these contexts a crucial challenge is made on sustainable development on the environmental, social and cultural fronts. Over the years the Laboratory has developed projects related to the Mediterranean context (Morocco, Tunisia, Palestine), traditionally an area of cultural exchange and encounter with the Other, but also in other regions, such as in Brazil and Laos. In other projects developed in neighbouring contexts, design has been identified as an important element in an inter-cultural society.

https://vimeo.com/141416541

• For social innovation

The Laboratory operates in partnership with entities and associations who work on issues related to social innovation, with the purpose of offering support, ascribing value and fostering activities. In particular, LDS has developed projects in the sectors of international cooperation, of local associations and social enterprises.