Cradle to Cradle Design (sometimes abbreviated to C2C, or Cradle 2 Cradle) is a biomimetic approach to the design of systems. It models human industry on nature’s processes in which materials are viewed as nutrients circulating in healthy, safe metabolisms. It suggests that industry must protect and enrich ecosystems and nature’s biological metabolism while also maintaining safe, productive technical metabolism for the high-quality use and circulation of organic and synthetic[clarification needed] materials. Put simply, it is a holistic economic, industrial and social framework that seeks to create systems that are not just efficient but essentially waste free.[Wikipedia] The model in its broadest sense is not limited to industrial design and manufacturing; it can be applied to many different aspects of human civilization such as urban environments, buildings, economics and social systems.
In this brilliant episode of TED:Talks; William McDonough talks about the concept of “Cradle to Cradle” Design. He believes that green design can prevent environmental disaster — while also driving economic growth. The Green-minded architect and designer asks what our buildings and products would look like if designers took into account “all children, all species, for all time.”
Enjoy.
