Fundamental School Founder Erik van Buuren is presenting at dokumenta14.
May 13, 2017 @ 20:00:
What is circular economy and how to make it possible?
Love, Peace & Resources
The hunt and greed for resources has shaped economic and societal models over the ages. A growing world population is affecting the way resources are being depleted, causing major societal disruption on a global scale. How can we learn from the past to develop beneficial future scenarios for all? The transition into a circular economy model can only succeed if, besides the predominating economic focus, it is accompanied with a holistic approach including e.g. human rights, local communities and intelligent distribution and use of new technology.
Andrea Pößnicker
“The rise of ESG Investing” – Erik van Buuren, November 2016 in the BIOCOM publication: Analysis of European Biotech Companies on the Stock Market, US versus Europe – Facts and Trends 2016. Investing with a purpose – with environmental, social or governance (ESG) aims in mind – is becoming mainstream and offers opportunities for companies and investors alike.
Vegan Signatory Scent & Vegan Energy Products / Munich / 2015
Munich’s latest Design Hotel member: The Flushing Meadows, dreamt of a signatory scent matching the idea of a perfect stay in their hometown. FUNDAMENTAL SCHOOL developed and realised the concept of a signatory scent made of 100% natural essential oils. The result: a refreshing wild alpine meadow scent crossed with vibrant urban excitement. –> more
DETOX: Products for Life / Europe / 2015
Detox product development means understanding more of product content and processes.
Recycling paper contains many toxic substances from e.g. printing processes. We work with paper companies in order to prevent toxic paper waste entering recycling processes in the first place. This enables better paper and packaging. We do the same for problematic halogenated plastic waste which contaminates recycled plastic.
The “DETOX” campaign launched by Greenpeace aims at banning all hazardous chemicals from textiles until 2020. FUNDAMENTAL SCHOOL founder Erik van Buuren has been developing DETOX textiles for over 20 years and is currently developing supply chain solutions in various cooperations across the globe. Paris-based fashion label HOMECORE and FUNDAMENTAL SCHOOL team up to develop DETOX fashion. –> more
Circular Economy / Circular Architecture, Hoofddorp / NL / 2012-2015
The transition to a Circular Economy, as endorsed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, is internationally speeding up. Erik van Buuren participated at the Circular Economy 100 Annual Summit 2014 in London. FUNDAMENTAL SCHOOL visualises communication of Circular Architecture and Cradle to Cradle for the Built Environment. The Netherlands are frontrunner in the establishing a Circular Economy. As catalyst in the field of Circular Architecture, Erik van Buuren translated Cradle to Cradle Criteria for the Build Environment in Dutch. Based upon these principles, Dutch companies, investors and architects are working towards safe and environmentally sound products, services and buildings. In his work Erik cooperates with companies that have already made a conscious decision to be sustainable today in order to become winners in the future. –> more
Circular City / Hamburg / 2013
Within the context of zero waste architecture, FUNDAMENTAL SCHOOL establishes a cooperation with Partner + Partner Architects Berlin to develop Cradle to Cradle architecture and Circular City concepts. Urbanisation, with over half the world’s population living in cities, is affecting water quality, material flow management, air quality and human health. Ecological systems and quality of life are under pressure. For example, many chemical compounds can’t be treated in waste water sewage systems. In urban regions, the vast amounts of chemical substances from household products, medication and disinfectants in waste water streams pose a great threat to aquatic systems and sewage treatment systems. –> more
Colours and Pigment Competencies / 2014
Collaborating with a Berlin based artist, aim was to develop an Art Installation Shirt by using organic cotton from CO2 neutral production. The missing link was sustainable screen-printing. Pigments, binders and surface chemistry were checked on human and environmental health criteria according to the Cradle-to-Cradle philosophy. A white mineral pigment and one binder were selected for the Art Installation. –> more
Design for Disassembly / the Netherlands / 2012
Recovery of materials and products, so these can be reused again and again, is the main focus of a circular economy. From this perspective, designers, industries and consumers should radically rethink the way we engineer, manufacture, use and dispose of products.
For their part, designers should adopt, if not single material, then at least an advanced approach of design for disassembly, facilitating product disposal and recycling at the end of their lives. Hereby materials are assembled is such way, that these can be disassembled easily to enable single material recovery. –> more
Renewable Circular City Resources
In Circular City, urban gardening and rooftop agriculture play an imminent role to improve air quality, storm water management and utilise urban areas with social benefits. Urban gardens are more than just sophisticated backyard greeneries. Besides food and honey, urban agriculture offers great material opportunities as inspirational resources for products. –> more
DMY Cradle to Cradle Show / Berlin-Kreuzberg / 2009
FUNDAMENTAL SCHOOL was curator at the DMY Design-Festival Berlin 2009 of a cradle to cradle and sustainable design special. In the exhibition area at ÏMA Design Village /Kreuzberg,
At the centre of the exhibition was the sculpture „1 Cubic Meter“ where an original Kreuzberg aldi-shopping-cart-house was rebuilt with DETOX wallpaper developed by FUNDAMENTAL SCHOOL. The installation proves that exhibition waste of a 100 sqm exihibition-space can be reduced to 1 cubic meter. –>more
Indoor Air Quality / 5 Höfe / Munich / 2008
FUNDAMENTAL SCHOOL developed and realized the interior of an exhibition space at 5 Höfe Munich with a focus on indoor air quality. FUNDAMENTAL SCHOOL developed a detox hand-printed wallpaper according to the Cradle to Cradle Material Health Design Protocol. All components and chemicals of the wallpaper were selected and screened on human health criteria: paper, binders and pigments. –> more
Functional Upcycling / 2013
In Europe, we currently waste over 500 kilograms per person every year. And to make this worse, 60% of that waste ends up being landfilled or incinerated. Every year, Europe landfills and burns over €5 billion worth of recyclable materials. Design concepts for interior car design were developed in the framework of envisioning workshops for a car manufacturer. –>more
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