Abstract:

The paper presents the results and the course of the academic research project, which was carried out by the Faculty of Architecture of the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice, Poland and by the Waste Disposal and Storage Company Ltd. in Gliwice, Poland as part of cooperation in the university-industry field. The aim of the research task was multifaceted research and design studies in the space of exhibition possibilities related to the idea of segregation and knowledge of disposal and recycling used by Waste Disposal and Storage Company Ltd. in Gliwice, along with the development of implementation guidelines and reference models. The project uses tools based on the research by design method, supported by the creative potential in the indicated scope in relation to student projects carried out in particular problem groups. Design process were carried out as part of the Exhibition Design classes. Two design tasks were completed during the one semester academic project. It was a stationary exhibition at the new headquarters of Waste Disposal and Storage Company Ltd. as well as a mobile exhibition.

In the field of the stationary exhibition, comprehensive exhibition concepts were created, that in various ways and forms expressed the problems of segregation and disposal of municipal waste, at the same time promoting Waste Disposal and Storage Company Ltd., which solves these problems in the city of Gliwice. In the design concepts, the accents were placed in various ways, putting them on the promotion of the company or environmental issues in general. The design proposals represent: projects referring directly to the substantive activity of the company, i.e. primarily municipal waste segregation in the educational aspect, then artistic metaphors, constituting a kind of spatial installations, appealing to the recipient with modern means of expression, as well as concepts modern exhibition, devoid of deeper metaphors and ecological references, but presenting company and its activities in an interesting and spatially attractive form. The features of the space intended for the exhibition, the intellectual and emotional load, as well as reflection on the surrounding reality, have become the source of the resulting design creations, which carry both a cognitive and educational aspect.

The mobile exhibition related to the activity profile of Waste Disposal and Storage Company Ltd. was also a subject of design carried out as part of the Exhibition Design classes. In this regard, designs of mobile exhibitions were made, not related to any predefined space, with the possibility of application in various spatial contexts. In terms of design, the works are an artistic interpretation of issues related to segregation and recycling. They are also a kind of polemics with the surrounding reality. Most of them have an attractive visual form, and some have an outstanding artistic expression. However, all of them have a strong message and are focused on active dialogue with the recipient in the field of ecological issues. The resulting design material represents: projects promoting environmental issues and on the occasion of Waste Disposal and Storage Company Ltd. as well as projects directly promoting the company. Design concepts were presented in various situations and contexts, in public space - external and internal. As a summary, it can be stated that all projects are feasible, some at low costs, which was also one of the design assumptions.

Keywords:

Design, research, ecology, smart city.