Circle Sector Genk

A living lab for the circular economy

The ambition of the Circle Sector project is to create a place where different forms of circular economy can be experimented in cooperation with citizens, policy makers and industry. It forms an archive that maps locally available materials, it is a laboratory for experimenting and a studio for designing circular material applications. The project follows an iterative process of mapping, experimenting and prototyping.

For example, we investigated the role that product designers can play in the transition from a linear to a more circular economy. After all, 90% of the environmental impact is determined during the design process. Designers are therefore well placed to integrate the principles of the circular economy into the products, services and systems they design.

In doing so, designers not only have to overcome technical barriers (how can they design products in such a way that they can be reused, shared, repaired or recycled?), but also cultural barriers, such as corporate culture, policy vision or consumer awareness.

To facilitate the transition from linear to circular and to overcome these barriers, designers should not only focus on designing solutions, but also on asking the right questions. A critical attitude is crucial but also complex, because it goes against existing business models and policy visions. To challenge this cultural barrier, there is a need for valuable alternatives and images of the future that outline other business models and visions. This is where designers can play a crucial role: by making alternative images of the future tangible. Afterwards, these images of the future are experienced and discussed in dialogue with citizens, companies and policymakers.