DE7039 - Sustainable and Regenerative Design

In Sustainable and regenerative design, with your accompanying project, you will learn through a combination of tutorials, seminars, and directed and independent study. Through tutorial support and studio-based feedback, you will be expected to take responsibility for your own creative development and learning in the project and write up your own project report reflective on your own learning and understanding.



You will receive formative feedback throughout the module, with peer evaluation serving as an essential activity. This will provide you with the opportunity to reflect on feedback before submission.



The Design Methodology module (DE7037) and the Research through Design Practice module (DE7038) will support your design research activities for this module. They will help you identify knowledge to inform your sustainable and regenerative design while grounding your study in appropriate research contexts.



Collaboration both within the University and with external communities of practice is a key element of the programme's curriculum design and delivery. This will enable you to apply your design work in the commercial environment and participate in a design competition of your choice.



This learning will not only aid you in developing a clear view of your own professional aims and motivation but will also help to contextualise your contribution to business and society and to articulate the value you have to offer. This will form the basis for your study in the optional modules either for MA or MSc pathways.

You will be supported by academic experts and guest lecturers through scheduled sessions and directed study. They will facilitate discussions in one-on-one tutorials and group critiques focused on your chosen subject of inquiry. These formal interactions provide opportunities to receive immediate feedback on your ongoing work and to act on it. You will document this feedback to track your progress and enhance both your skills and intellectual understanding.



You will be part of a community of practice that will provide a topic ‘hub’ for cross-organisational collaboration and peer discussion.



You will be involved in reflective practice, which is inherent to the practice of the School.



The Masters programme curriculum has been developed to capitalise on the extensive, active and well-defined research emphasis of the School and channel this expertise to support your development in line with your PDP.



Further formal academic support is provided via information posted on E-Learning Portal.



Where appropriate, you may also be directed to engage with Study Skills +, or other resources offered through the University Student Support Services such as Dyslexia Support.



The library is open 24 hours a day and E-Learning Portal houses all your module documents including your timetable. These services can be accessed on a range of devices.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding (K&U):

Understand global sustainable design goals and their requirements for responsible design practice.

Evaluate prior failures with regards to SDGs.



Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities (IPSA):

Apply new design theories/principles, methodologies and processes towards design for sustainability. 

Analyse the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic factors.



Personal Values Attributes (PVA) (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity):

Evaluate and refine your own approach to creating solutions that address multiple dimensions of sustainability. 

Summative assessment will be based on an individual presentation on design research reflection and an illustrated report of your project (2000-3000 words) which captures your sustainable and regenerative design research and practice for sustainable futures. It will also include the individual choice and justification of block 3 modules selection.



The assessment will be graded and the evaluation criteria will be detailed in the module brief.



Formative feedback will be given during tutorials when on-going work, drafts and plans will be presented by students for review. This cumulative formative feedback will help you to prepare a report with portfolio of design work that demonstrates reflection on practice and process which includes:



Life Cycle thinking,

Circular economy,

Environmental impact, and ethical considerations,

Resilience and adaptability.

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Sustainability is impossible without design! Whether it involves reducing waste, changing behaviour, or realising a circular economy, effective design is key to achieving a positive, sustainable future.



Sustainable and regenerative design focuses on creating products, services, systems, and environments that contribute to long-term environmental, social and economic sustainability. This module will introduce key principles and aspects of sustainable and regenerative design principles and methods into every stage of the design process, from ideation and material selection to production, use, and end-of-life considerations.