- Docente responsabile
- BARBARA DI PRETE
- CCS proponenti
- Design degli interni - Interior design e Interior and Spatial Design
- CFU
- 2
- Ore in presenza
- 6
- Prerequisiti
- CdL/CdLM School of Design
Knowledge of basic graphics and design programs (Adobe Suite, CAD drawing programs), basic modeling skills, ecological awareness. - N° max studenti
- 20
- Criteri di selezione
- in order of arrival
- Parole chiave:
- circular economy, ecological attuning, plant awareness, plastic recycling
- Tag
- Environment and land planning, Interaction design, Communication design, Interior design, Fashion design, Product design, Service design, Materials, Heritage and landscape, Environmental and social sustainability
Descrizione dell'iniziativa
"PLAstic for PLAnts" is a theoretical and hands-on design workshop exploring how recycled plastic can be transformed into artifacts for indoor and outdoor environments that support plant awareness and foster meaningful human–plant interactions, organised in collaboration with Girotondo Horizons Mountain Retreat & FabLab. It is part of Girotondo’s multi-year research and experimentation program exploring design strategies for creating recycled artifacts that combine creativity, sustainability, and engagement with local communities.
CONTENT: The workshop combines two core dimensions: a thematic focus on plant awareness and human–plant relations, and a practical exploration of recycled plastic as a material for artifact design.
THEME: Design for Plant Awareness The workshop explores the role of design in fostering plant awareness through situated interventions in natural landscapes. Building on recent research around the concept of plant blindness (or plant awareness disparity), the initiative investigates how design practices can support deeper human engagement with the plant kingdom. Participants will be invited to design and prototype small-scale artifacts to be installed in the natural environment surrounding Girotondo. These artifacts will aim to promote meaningful encounters between people and plants, encouraging visitors to notice, understand, and develop a new attentiveness toward vegetal life.
TECNIQUE: Prototyping with Recycled Plastic: The workshop introduces participants to recycled plastic fabrication, teaching accessible techniques for transforming plastic waste into functional design elements for indoor decoration and outdoor furniture.
OUTPUTS: Artifacts developed during the workshop may take different forms depending on participants’ design approaches and research insights. Possible outcomes include:
- environmental furniture or observation tools
- small landscape installations
- interactive or wearable objects to guide plant exploration
Periodo di svolgimento
dal May 2026 a July 2026
Calendario
Il workshop sarà suddiviso in 2 fasi: la fase on line inizierà a maggio (in data da concordare), l’attività sul campo inizierà il 29 giugno (arrivo in stazione verso le 11, trasporto al “Girotondo Horizons” su un bus collettivo organizzato dai coordinatori) e finirà il 2 luglio a pranzo.
The workshop will be divided into 2 phases: the online phase will begin in Maj (on a date to be agreed), the field activity will begin on June 29th (arrival at the station around 11 am, transport to the “Girotondo Horizons” on a shared bus organized by the coordinators) and will end on July 2nd at lunchtime.
CALENDARIO ON LINE:
3 incontri di 2 ore (in maggio e giugno) che verteranno su: ecological attuning; insights sharing and concept definition; project definition. Queste attività introdurranno metodi di osservazione ispirati alle decentering design practices, che incoraggiano i designer ad andare oltre prospettive antropocentriche e a sviluppare una maggiore attenzione verso attori più-che-umani.
ON LINE CALENDAR:
3 meetings of 1–2 hours (in May and June) which will focus on: ecological attuning; insights sharing and concept definition; project definition. These activities will introduce observational methods inspired by decentering design practices, which encourage designers to move beyond anthropocentric perspectives and develop attentiveness to more-than-human actors.
CALENDARIO IN PRESENZA al Girotondo Horizons Mountain Retreat:
4 giorni di workshop, 6 ore/giorno dal 29 giugno al 2 luglio 2026.
29 giugno: 11:00 - 14:00 Arrivo e pranzo; 14:00 - 16:00 Introduzione, decentering exercises e impostazione lavori; 17:00 - 18:00 “Extended Lifetime & Circular Economy” - Lezione e discussione; 20:00 - 21:00 Cena.
30 giugno: 10:00 - 13:00 Pratica: costruzione del progetto; 13:00 - 14:00 Pausa pranzo; 14:00 - 17:00 Pratica: costruzione del progetto; 20:00 - 21:00 Cena e home cinema.
1 luglio: 10:00 - 13:00 Pratica: costruzione del progetto; 13:00 - 14:00 Pausa pranzo; 14:00 - 17:00 Finalizzazione del progetto e riflessioni finali; 20:00 - 21:00 Cena.
2 luglio: 10:00 - 13:00 Realizzazione e riflessioni finali; 13:00 - 14:00 Pranzo e saluti.
ON SITE CALENDAR at Girotondo Horizons Mountain Retreat:
4 days of workshop, 6 hours per day, from June 29 to July 2, 2026.
June 29: 11:00 – 14:00 Arrival and lunch; 14:00 – 16:00 Introduction, decentering exercises and work setup; 17:00 – 18:00 “Extended Lifetime & Circular Economy” — lecture and discussion; 20:00 – 21:00 Dinner.
June 30: 10:00 – 13:00 Practice: project construction; 13:00 – 14:00 Lunch break; 14:00 – 17:00 Practice: project construction; 20:00 – 21:00 Dinner and home cinema.
July 1: 10:00 – 13:00 Practice: project construction; 13:00 – 14:00 Lunch break; 14:00 – 17:00 Project finalization and final reflections; 20:00 – 21:00 Dinner.
July 2: 10:00 – 13:00 Production and final reflections; 13:00 – 14:00 Lunch and farewell.
Note
Accommodation will include nine rooms (sleeping 2 to 4) and five bathrooms.
Basic mountain hut-style meals will be provided.
Participants will be responsible for their own food and lodging costs.