Chapter 4 — full chapter
Chapter 4 — full chapter
4.2 Principles of circular product architecture
Product architecture describes how the different parts of a product are organised and connected. In garments, this includes the relationship between fabric panels, seams, linings, trims, fasteners, labels and other components.
In circular design, these decisions are considered across the product life cycle. The same construction choice can influence material efficiency during manufacturing, durability during use, repairability when something fails and the ability to separate materials at the end of use.
Four principles are particularly relevant:
- Use materials efficiently: reduce unnecessary material use and cutting waste.
- Keep products useful: design for durability, maintenance, repair and adaptation.
- Reduce unnecessary complexity: simplify material combinations and components where possible.
- Enable future recovery: consider disassembly, component separation and available recycling routes.
These principles can sometimes create trade-offs. A modular garment, for example, may be easier to repair or adapt but require additional fasteners. A highly durable coating may extend product life but make material recycling more difficult. Circular product architecture therefore requires life-cycle thinking rather than optimising one characteristic in isolation.
Design decisions establish many of the characteristics that later influence durability, repairability, remanufacturing and recyclability. Integrating these considerations early in product development can make circular strategies easier to implement later (Rahee & Sarker, 2024).
The following sections apply these principles to pattern architecture, component systems, longevity and recovery.