ABSTRACT
The paper introduces the FoRWARD – Furniture Waste for Circular Design research project (MICS – NextGenEU, PE11, Spoke 4), coordinated by the Department of Architecture, University of Naples “Federico II”. FoRWARD works for the implementation of circular forest-based supply chains within the timber architecture and design industry focusing on Micro-Small Enterprises – MSE in disadvantaged territories, i.e. inner areas in Southern Italy. Here, FoRWARD aims at enhancing new links between craftsmen and MSEs for the definition of systemic design processes. FoRWARD aims at developing innovative, digitally enabled solutions for wood waste upcycling and knowledge and expertise transfer practices open to artisans, professionals, companies and students. To bridge technological innovation with communities’ requirements, FoRWARD tests a “Living Lab” research approach, collocating societal contribution as a vital step in research development. The paper describes the general framework and the preliminary results of the research, with a focus on the activities aimed at facilitating knowledge sharing between innovators and local producers, opening education and dissemination opportunities for companies, artisans and students.
