Nachhaltige Designprozesse book by Thomas Wüthrich and Yves Raschle has introduced a structured framework for embedding sustainability into the varied workflows of design practice and education. Developed for product design, interior architecture, scenography, fashion, and industrial design, the book responds to the absence of standardized design processes by offering a clearly organized and practical guide for applying ecological and social responsibility criteria across all phases of a design project. From early concept development to execution and long-term usage, the publication combines focused texts with actionable recommendations. The authors, both practicing product designers and interior architects, draw on professional insights to support design decisions that align with sustainable objectives. Through 256 pages and 150 illustrations, including 106 in color, the book facilitates a methodical integration of sustainability within creative disciplines that traditionally operate without rigid procedural models. The guide is particularly relevant for educators and professionals navigating the complexity of sustainability implementation within design-related sectors.
In the field of design, unlike architecture or construction, structured workflows are rare. This procedural inconsistency complicates the integration of sustainability into creative processes that span multiple disciplines. Recognizing this gap, product designers and interior architects Thomas Wüthrich and Yves Raschle have authored Nachhaltige Designprozesse, a practical manual that offers a clear, step-by-step framework for embedding sustainability throughout the lifecycle of design projects.
Published in a compact 16.5 x 24 cm format with 256 pages, the book includes 106 color and 44 black-and-white illustrations and is priced at 39 CHF (38€, £33). It offers a methodical approach to sustainable design by addressing each project phase: from preliminary concept and design development to detailing, construction, implementation, and the user phase. The material is designed for ease of use in both professional practice and educational settings, providing precise and concise guidance for decision-making rooted in environmental and ethical responsibility.
By reducing content to its essentials, the book remains accessible without oversimplifying the complexity of the subject. Wüthrich and Raschle present their framework through short, structured contributions supported by concrete recommendations for action. Their approach emphasizes not only environmental metrics but also social and functional dimensions of sustainability.
The authors state their aim clearly: “We wanted to create a tool that supports designers in integrating sustainability into their processes without prescribing a rigid ideology.”
This position underlines the manual’s role as a flexible yet rigorous reference point for disciplines such as product and industrial design, scenography, fashion, and interior architecture. With Nachhaltige Designprozesse, Wüthrich and Raschle address the longstanding absence of a consolidated guide for sustainable design processes. Their work provides valuable support for those seeking to implement measurable and context-sensitive sustainability strategies within the fragmented structures of the contemporary design landscape.
