Estratégias de projeto para a sustentabilidade: a modularidade no mobiliário.

Abstract

This paper aims to discuss some strategies traditionally adopted in furniture design, such as modularity and standardization, initially aimed at productive rationalization and the viability ofserial industrial manufacturing, but which today are revealed as possible resources to achieve sustainability requirements in furniture industry. Initially, issues related to sustainability in production and furniture design will be presented together with a brief history of the development and evolution of the modular series furniture, especially those for storage use. To exemplify how the theme was approached at the beginning of the industrialization of furniture in Brazil we will try to analyze the pertinent production of three important characters of the period: Michel Arnoult,Geraldo de Barros and Jorge Zalszupin. Finally, we will discuss how the experiences of these designers with modularity and productive rationalization point to possible solutions for sustainability in the design of furniture in the contemporary setting.