Circular Design for school furniture: from product to product-service. Linee guida per la progettazione e la produzione di arredi scolastici circolari, manutenibili, riparabili e aggiornabili

The research falls within the scientific discipline of Industrial and Circular Design and addresses the issue of environmental sustainability through the application of circular economy principles to the school furniture sector. Specifically, the research explores innovative design strategies that facilitate the transition from a linear to a circular economic model, focusing on issues such as modularity, reparability, upgradability and durability of products. In particular, the research explores how the transition from the traditional model of selling a physical product to the concept of Product-as-a- Service (PaaS) can revolutionize the business model of companies, promote a more efficient use of resources and reduce environmental impact. The main objective of the research is to develop design guidelines and circular business models that promote a more efficient use of resources, minimize waste and ensure greater sustainability in the product life cycle. The chosen application context is the wood furniture industry, with a focus on the school sector, which is characterized by high consumption volumes and critical issues related to waste management and limited product life. The project is divided into three macro-phases. The first phase analyses the paradigms of Circular Design and Circular Economy, highlighting their application potential in the Made in Italy sector. The second phase focuses on the assessment of the regulatory and production context of school furniture, with an in-depth study of the Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM). Finally, the third experimental phase proposes design solutions for circular school furniture, supported by the application of analytical tools such as Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). The research aims to make a theoretical and practical contribution to design for sustainability by proposing a replicable model that integrates circular economy, design innovation and economic competitiveness. Key outcomes include the establishment of new guidelines for circular design and the development of school furniture systems that meet the need for modularity, reparability and upgradeability while reducing the overall environmental impact.