TED'S TEN 7. Design to Replace the Need to Consume.

This Design Strategy addressed the idea that products can adapt and change with age and explored alternative forms of design and consumption such as co-design and collaborative consumption. We discussed the durability of a product and how the value of the material effects how we use it, i.e. our emotional relationship with the product.

“Most products create a small amount of empathy at the point of purchase , from that point on the length of the product’s lifespan depends upon how well the product can maintain empathy with the user. Waste, therefore, can be seen as expired empathy.”
Jonathan Chapman (2006)

Biomimicry and Cradle to Cradle.

Biomimicry – the art of drawing inspiration from nature’s designs – is a strategy often found depicted in sustainable forms of architecture, and this tree-inspired super-structure, designed by William McDonough (Cradle to Cradle), exemplifies a ‘healthy’ and high-tech eco design for the future. 

This latest proposal for the Tower of Tomorrow focuses on the possibilities of today, for a future context, integrating green and tree-like inspired systems in a super efficient, forward-thinking architectural design.

The shape of the building is aerodynamic, reducing the impact of the wind, while its curved form reduces the amount of materials needed for construction, increases structural stability and maximises enclosed space. Vegetation is abundant in the design of this structure, with a green roof and three-story atrium gardens planned on the western side of the building. 

In response to the use of water: the waste water from sinks and bathtubs would be recycled and used for irrigation in the building’s gardens; the waste water from gardens could further be reused in toilets. 

Water is recycled in the building several times over. Greenhouses treat wastewater from sinks and bathtubs for reuse as irrigation in the building's gardens, a process made possible when nontoxic cleaning products are used. Cleansed by the gardens, the water can be used again as non-drinking water—for example, in toilets.

In terms of how energy is preserved and generated, the southern façade would be made of about 100,000 square feet of ‘photovoltaic panels’ that convert sunlight into electricity. The robust system could provide up to 40 percent of the building’s needs. A combined heat-and-power plant would also be installed, to be fuelled by natural gas, which could supply the power that the solar panels cannot.

After a close study of the sun and shadows, the shape and orientation of the building are tailored to the site. This building faces south toward a park, so it can capture maximum sunlight, and its irregular form allows more daylight to reach the street. Gardens circle the base, contributing to the quality of life at street level.

A wall of 'photovoltaic panels' convert sunlight into electricity.

All products, from building materials to furnishings, could be recycled or returned safely to the earth in true Cradle-to-Cradle fashion.

Sources: Inhabitat; CNNMoney

The Recycled House - Penney Poyzer

Whilst I was researching into how to optimise the recycled aspect of domestic design, in particular the home, I came across the 'Recycled House' owned by Penney Poyzer. I am fascinated by Victorian Terraced homes and I have been really inspired by the way she has created her own 'eco-bubble' in a building that is notorious for consuming a lot of energy and consequently not being environmentally sustainable. Her home is the prime example of how to reduce the carbon footprint of your home and make your own living environment a greener place to be.

This diagram explains how low carbon refurbishment can make a significant impact on the amount of energy used and CO2 produced in the older housing sector, as a response to the energy issues affecting older housing.

In my opinion, it is not a particularly 'modern/high-tech' eco home like we are so used to seeing on programmes such as 'Grand Designs' but it adopts more simple methods of sustainable design such as more insulation, LED technology (uses less wattage than normal bulbs), in terms on kitchen appliances they are A and AAA rated along with an oven-microwave combination....etc

The diagram above marks out the areas that have been redesigned in order to achieve maximum benefits from a low-energy home through the use of super-insulation solutions, rainwater recovery, low flush toilets and foul waste composting, solar hot water and wood burning boiler and a variety of natural / non toxic finishes. The BBC website offers an amazing 360° tour of the house...

I am really interested in the recycled aspect of her house because it addresses an issue that needs to be addressed starting with 'the self'. How can we as singular human beings start to make a positive impact on the environment, and I believe the answer lies in creating our own sustainable way of life starting by addressing the way we live and what we consume and how these aspects of living can be used to make a positive change.

Source: Youtube; BBC; Telegraph; The EcoHome; Nottingham EcoHome

TED'S TEN 2. Design for Recycling/Upcycling

Recycling:

(1) A resource recovery method involving the collection and treatment of a waste product for use as raw material in the manufacture of the same or a similar product.

(2) The EU waste strategy distinguishes between: reuse meant as a material reuse without any structural changes in materials; recycling meant as a material recycling, only, and with a reference to structural changes in products; and recovery meant as an energy recovery only.

VS

Upcycling:

(1) The process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value.

(2) If one can add value – economic, emotional, intellectual, material – to a product through the process of reuse, whilst conserving resources that went into production, it can be called ‘upcycling’.

Sources: Life Cycle Thinking And Assessment

No. 1 Sustainable Design and Materials

As part of this elective in Sustainable Design and Materials, I have established this blog which will catalogue the information that I have gathered from lectures and present further research into the topics that have been discussed. Although this elective is heavily focused on TED [Textiles Environment Design] I intend to use the design strategies in relation to Interior and Spatial Design, and explore possibilities of reducing the impact ISD has on the environment.

As an ISD student I intend to focus my research and thoughts on design aspects involving architectural, interior and spatial design, hopefully resulting in exploring methods to create a 'greener' more sustainable environment to live, work and play in. 


I chose the above image because of the way it incorporates some of the ideas explored in TED's Ten Design Strategies and it's relation to Interior and Spatial Design. 


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