Eco backstage and its sustainability in terms of design, material or technology

¹ Doctoral School of Architecture, Center of Architectural and Urban Studies, Ion Mincu University of Architecture and Urbanism, 18-20 Academiei Street, 010014, Bucharest, Romania
² ”I. L. Caragiale” National Theatre Bucharest, Boulevard Nicolae Bălcescu No. 2, 010051, Bucharest, Romania

^* Corresponding author: albu.gabi@gmail.com

Abstract

On the website of the European Parliament, it is stated that “the global economy uses the equivalent of one and a half of the planet’s resources in order to produce global results and to absorb waste, and estimates show that these numbers will rise to the level of the resources of two planets by 2030.” Although ecological, sustainability and resilience policies have been adopted through legislation over 60 years ago, humanity finds itself at a point in time when the linear economy and demographic growth are still the main causes for the imminent depletion of natural resources, thus endangering the environment, the planet and the human species itself. In parallel with the implementation of these laws and policies, humanity is also aiming to conquer new territories or to exploit other planets. Although this is a more modern and glamorized mind-set, one that encompasses the whole solar system, it is, in essence, still a primitive “colonizer” thinking pattern. Under these circumstances, sustainable design has become not just a necessity, but rather a sine qua non for survival. Changing the traditional model of the economy to a circular one means multiplying the life cycles of a product. Thus, this paper aims to examine the “greening” of theatre set production by implementing circular design as the primary method to reshape material resources, technology, and product design processes, serving as the sole approach to prevent waste production.