Layer-by-layer Design. Design Inference in Additive Manufacturing for circularity.

The contribution explores the intersection of Additive Manufacturing processes and Circular Economy principles, aiming to leverage design interventions for sustainable socio-technical changes. It employs the Issue-Concept-Form model to qualitatively analyze five case studies and their AM adoption implications on various scales, including social, cultural, ecological, and technological aspects. Findings focused on environmental impact assessments, systemic-thinking mindsets, stakeholder involvement in design processes and standardization of circular materials for sustainable AM strategies, contribute to informing intentional design practices for circular systems. Despite examining a limited number of cases to test the method for meta-knowledge extrapolation, a starting point for expanding specific research areas, such as investigating certain levels more in-depth is provided, paving the way for further exploration and development in sustainable design practices.