Repair as a social design design practice: three case studies in vulnerable households able households in Chile

Abstract

The work presented herein addresses the socio-material implications and spontaneous design actions that emerge from the home repair practices of household objects in low-income areas. Through qualitative research and contextual inquiry from the investigation of their praxis (Cross, 2007), we reassess the principles of planned obsolescence associated with product design and throw-away culture. Within the framework of matters of care of non-human devices that are part of a social assembly, a theoretical discussion develops around certain actions; in particular, repairing everyday household objects, as design solutions. The exploratory methodology of this project is based on literature review and on-site case studies in Villa El Refugio in the commune of Puente Alto, an area in Santiago, Chile where basic actions such as waste collection are scarce. Through observing and analyzing the repair of essential objects for everyday use, we recognize creative actions that activate the relationship between humans and non-humans when altering the social life of objects to extend their use.