Future@HsH – Future workshop for digital, social, ecological and economic transformation

As an innovation laboratory for sustainability, the Innolab use-less is part of programme “Future@HsH | Future Workshop for Digital, Social, Ecological and Economic Transformation” project funded by the Volkswagen Foundation. As a novel field of experimentation, it enables the processing of highly relevant issues with practice partners and the generation and practical testing of innovations.

The objectives of the “Innolabs use-less – Sustainable Design Strategies” are the development, application, practical testing, and public presentation of sustainable design methods throughout the entire product lifecycle, following the guiding principle of sustainability and adopting a holistic approach.

The focus is on reducing resource consumption and avoiding harmful environmental and social impacts. Innovations aimed at extending product usage phases, conscious environmentally and socially responsible selection, reuse, and repair of products and materials are to be developed, and positive consumer behavior is to be encouraged. The Slow-Fashion approach, already adopted in the fashion industry, is to be applied to other product-creating industries.

Concepts for materials, clothing, products, spaces, teaching, and learning are developed and practically evaluated collaboratively. Production conditions, consumer behavior, technologies, and innovative strategies are investigated, tested, assessed, and further developed with partners from the field, aiming to transfer these insights to industry. Publications, symposia and exhibitions contribute to scientific dialogue and public discourse.