AP Environmental Science e² video design “Super Use” questions

1. Do you recognize the recycling station in the Netherlands? (hint: think locally)

It is the Waimea dump!

2. Why are architects uniquely crucial in the video?

Architects are needed to put the building materials together into a workable building. The challenge is unique because it isn't architects that request materials to build their vision of a building; they must work with what they have to create a building.

3. What recycled materials do you recognize in the espresso bar?

The walls are all made of washing machine fronts. The stools are old beer kegs.

4. What did you think of the shoe store? Would you shop there? Why?

The shoe store looks very unique, with a circular interior.. the treadmill at the center is definitely a nice touch. I probably wouldn't shop there, because I am not a shoes person.

5. What can you imagine using 6 billion tires per year for?

All that tire represents lots of rubber that can be reused, potentially as new road tar, bumpers for docks, playground equipment, and whatnot.

6. There is a "gimmicky" aspect of these projects-how practical are they, and what special intelligence must be involved in any project? How does this compare to traditional projects?

The idea of recycling everything for a new building isn't scalable - if everyone started to build like this, there wouldn't be enough material to go around. Also, it is possible forget the point of constructing a new building - it must be fulfill its function, whether as a home, a workplace, or a store. In the video, the architects forgot the kitchen, which is arguably an important part of a house! Traditional projects plan the building first, and then request materials after - this reverses it, by forcing architects to work with the materials they have, then design a building after.

7. What is the "harvest method"?

Harvest method is the way by which architects obtain the building materials for the project. Typically they scour nearby areas such as dumps or recycling centers for usable materials, as proximity plays a large part in determining what is used for a given construction project.

8. What are the health aspects of using recycled materials? Why is it easier to use new materials from this aspect?

Some recycled materials may pose a health hazard - for example, asbestos insulation cannot be used now because of dangers associated with the thin fibrous crystals. Recycled wood, especially if used outdoors, may be treated with chemicals that are toxic when it evaporates. New materials are able to clear regulations easier in this aspect.

9. Quantity, standardization and ease of use are cited-why?

Enough material must be available for it to be used in a project - for example, the espresso bar used washing machine fronts for nearly all the surfaces. The architects tend to not mix materials for the same surface type, hence standardization. Ease of use comes to play, because the way in which material is reused must not be gimmicky or otherwise inconvenience the customer.

10. If "cradle to grave" reuse becomes more pervasive, could some materials be created with recycling in mind? What are you thinking of?

For example, imagine modular housing that takes advantage of standardized wall or window sections (think Minecraft's standardized "unit").

An older building, instead of being demolished, would simply be disassembled, with wall units being taken apart for use in a future building.

11. How does the welpeloo project compare with the elab Living Building Challenge? Were any recycled materials used in the lab?

Welpeloo was designed from the ground up to make use of as much recycled material as possible. The Energy Lab was designed to be a sustainable building, which is not quite the same thing. Some articles the the lab were recycled, such as the bathroom fixtures salvaged from another building or picnic tables made from leftover wooden beams, but that was not the primary intent behind the lab's construction.

12. Rotterdam was completely demolished in the second world war, as was Dresden and several other European cities. Architects love the architecture of Chicago. What do these three cities have in common, and what opportunities do they present?

All three cities faced widespread burning and destruction at one time or another in their history, which presented an opportunity to rebuild the cities in a logical way.

13. What does "cheaper" really mean in the broadest sense?

It is less costly for everyone involved, from the production process to distribution to eventual recycling.

14. Why is "close by" important?

Proximity is important in terms of reducing carbon emissions from things like transportation costs. Recycling does not make much sense if materials have to be shipped from overseas when there are sustainable solutions nearby, even though they may be new.