Shreya Thakkar
Climate Designer working at the intersection of design research, industrial design and futures thinking
My work lies at the intersection of research, experience design, and strategy. As a design researcher, I work towards translating complex narratives and research insights into accessible and sustainable design experiences. My passion lies in designing for adaptable and equitable futures.
My professional journey as a design strategist has revolved around harnessing the power of design to create a positive impact on our planet. I have delved deep into the realms of climate change, sustainable development, and circular economy, with a particular focus on industrial design products.
Projects
Petal Power Place is a framework for Agri voltaic symbiosis, which aims to address the climate crisis by exploring ideas of decentralized renewable energy systems that are beautifully integrated into urban environments and share infrastructure with urban farming. The project aims to maximize the utility of existing structures by combining innovative technologies, and aims to showcase the integration of renewable energy in an organic and biophilic form that can foster water conservation. The project is centered around the concept of a blooming flower, which symbolizes the beauty of change and the change in our approach, life-styles and environments that will be shaped by the process of global energy transition.
It is designed to be scalable to any site receiving sunlight, and is designed integrally to the Spinelli Park masterplan. The sculptures have different plug-and-play components that allow for a versatile use across the park.
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Sustainability historically centered on reducing consumption, but the growing recognition that the need for the 'new' is far from satisfied is prompting a shift in the manner that high-value, low-cost things are developed. The re-evaluation of the life-cycle processes for the consumer items we already have formed the basis of this project.The concept of throwing away-away does not exist. An item that is no longer in use does not disappear; instead, it renders the location where it ends up, such as a landfill or a river, uninhabitable. There is no such concept as "throwing away." Our insatiable cravings for inexpensive commodities, fast fashion, and consumer goods that move quickly contribute significantly to the accumulation of waste in landfills. Every year, over 288 million tons of plastic are manufactured worldwide, and approximately one-third of the world's plastic is used to construct packaging, the majority of which is discarded after use. How can we design things that generate less waste, have the potential to regenerate themselves, and contribute positively to the ecosystem of our planet?