Co-designing with nature: integrating environmental profiling and remote sensing methods in the design process

Sustainability is becoming a fundamental consideration in engineering and product design, requiring approaches that minimise environmental impact. Environmental profiling offers a structured method for evaluating site-specific biomarkers to support data-driven, non-intrusive design interventions. The aim of this paper is to examine the role of environmental profiling in sustainable design and to propose a structured framework for co-designing with nature. Insights from case studies present the effects of integrating remote sensing into design interventions in conjunction with the dissemination of the created environmental profile and captured data through design and visualisation tools. Implications of applying the suggested workflow in various educational contexts, modes and curricula for fostering sustainability-driven design thinking are also provided.

New, relevant work:
This work aims to propose a novel framework and design workflow for human-made interventions in nature. Through a co-design approach, designers understand, listen and respond to the environment's needs, ensuring that design does not only minimise harm, but dynamically contributes to ecosystem resilience.