A-Z of Sustainable Materials: Activating learning in sustainable design: using a hands-on materials workshop to engage students

This case study focuses on the design and delivery of a hands-on workshop involving second year Interior Design students in the Sir John Cass department of Art Media and Design (JCAMD) at London Metropolitan University. The workshop was delivered in December 2009 to 40 students studying a module entitled ‘Responsible Design’. This 13 week module is predominantly lecture/seminar based with student participation in small-group presentations. The workshop gave students the opportunity to activate their learning combining theory and practice to engender a deeper understanding of the complexity of sustainability issues in relation to design practice.