Pflege, Wartung und Reparatur als Designpraxis
Der Kurs Prozessgestaltung beschäftigt sich mit der Gestaltung von Abläufen und Produktsystemen, die den Gebrauch von Produkten und Dienstleistungen bestimmen.
Pflege, Wartung und Reparatur als Designpraxis
Der Projektkurs untersuchte den Prozess der Pflege, Wartung und Reparatur als zentrales Ziel im Kontext von Gestaltung für Nachhaltigkeit und Circular Economy. Im Fokus standen nicht einzelne Produkte, sondern Prozesse, Strategien und Systeme, die eine langfristige Nutzung ermöglichen und Ressourcen im Kreislauf halten. Aufbauend auf qualitativer Recherche, Human-Centered-Design-Methoden und systemischer Analyse entwickelten die Studierenden prozessorientierte Konzepte, die traditionelle Praktiken neu interpretieren, Gleichteile zur Ressourcenschonung einsetzen, Materialien aus bestehenden Kreisläufen weiterdenken und Nutzer:innen dazu befähigen, Produkte besser zu verstehen, zu warten und selbst zu reparieren. Die entstandenen Arbeiten zeigen Gestaltung als aktiven Beitrag zu langlebigen, zirkulären Nutzungssystemen.
Care, Maintenance, and Repair as a Design Practice
This project course explored the process of care, maintenance, and repair as key goals within the context of designing for sustainability and the circular economy. Rather than focusing on individual repairable products, the course addressed the processes, strategies, and systems that enable long-term use and keep resources in circulation. Through qualitative research, human-centered design methods, and systems thinking, students developed process-oriented concepts that reinterpret traditional practices, employ standardized components to reduce resource consumption, give new meaning and applications to materials from existing material cycles, and enable users to better understand, maintain, and repair products themselves. The resulting projects demonstrate design as an active contribution to long-lasting, circular systems of use
Kern manufactures kitchenware from high-quality materials that can be easily disassembled and repaired. In this way, patina and signs of use are valued as hallmarks of quality. Ease of maintenance and repairability, combined with a timeless design and the deliberate use of durable materials, ensure the products can be used for as long as possible.
Sustainability
With 60% shared parts across our appliances, we secure the long-term availability of spare parts. This simplifies manufacturing processes and saves resources. Shared components and materials that separate cleanly by type enable sustainable use and efficient recycling at the end of the life cycle.
Repairability
Our appliances are built for a long life. Screwed-together rather than glued construction allows easy access to all key components. Spare parts are always available and can be quickly replaced through our repair service. The repair discount increases with every year of use.
Durability
Our materials are built for a long life. Over time, they develop a patina that tells the story of their use, instead of simply wearing out. This patina creates an identity with the product: those who value it also enjoy caring for and repairing it. We also focus on timeless design that never goes out of style. Thanks to a clear separation of materials, a high degree of shared parts, and permanently available spare parts, a KERN product lasts at least a lifetime, if not longer.