The SusHouse methodology. Design orienting scenarios for sustainable solutions

This paper describes the conclusions of the SusHouse (Strategies towards the Sustainable Household) Project that has been exploring possible socially and technologically innovative strategies for sustainable households.The Project has covered 3 household 'functions: Clothing Care, Shelter (Heating, Cooling and Lighting) and Food (Shopping, Cooking and Eating). These have been studied in 5 European countries (Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, and UK). The methodology of the Project has involved stakeholder workshops, the construction of design-orienting scenarios, environmental, economic and consumer assessment of the scenarios and strategy formulation. The paper describes: i. the methodology for devising Design-Orienting Scenarios, with examples from the three Functions ii. the results of environmental, economic and consumer acceptability assessments of these Scenarios iii. comments on how the methodology can be developed and applied.The methodology is specifically applicable by designers who are leading multi-stakeholder sustainable innovation processes aimed at large shifts in technology and use.