Reparation of household objects against disposable design

Abstract

This paper shows a qualitative research regarding the social and material implications of practices of repairing household objects in vulnerable areas. Based on an ethnographic study and the articulated vision of social and sustainable design, this research addresses the principles of planned obsolescence and the culture of consumption as entrenched and naturalized instances. This paper presents a theoretical discussion within the framework of sustainable actions such as reuse, maintenance and repair. The methodology of this project is based on the in-situ case study of durable domestic goods reparation in the context of social housing in the district of Puente Alto, Santiago de Chile. Through the analysis of domestic repairing experiences the relevance of safeguarding shared memories is highlighted, as well as developing creative and innovative strategies in order to prolong the objects lifetime.