Arts Thread

Series W is a project that addresses a fundamental issue within sustainable design: we are constrained by the economic and political systems we operate within. Capitalist linear models drive rapid product turnover, shortening lifespans and reinforcing a culture of replacement. In domestic appliances this is increasingly evident, with a surge in non-repairable sealed components and inaccessible assemblies making repair difficult and uneconomical. Framed through the lens of Walter Stahel’s performance economic theory, the project challenges linear models by proposing an alternative centred around service life extension. Consumers, rather than purchasing ownership, purchase a product’s performance. This incentivises manufacturers to design around circular values, making extended service life more profitable than linear models. This is explored through the redesign of a washing machine, one of the highest contributors to climate impact within the domestic product category. It targets bearing failure as a key limitation. The design focuses on disassembly, access and component architecture, enabling efficient repair through a modular ballast system, guided drum removal and a simplified disassembly process. It demonstrates how mechanical design can support extended service life while remaining grounded in manufacturing reality.