Hi Ross, I've listened to your podcast for a little while after you ran a session at UCL. I loved your discussion with Jan Kattein, reminded me of when I used to volunteer regularly with Goodgym and moved my fair share of wood chip in the Story Garden, it's wonderful to see what it's become!
I liked the topics on reusing materials and bringing councils on board with more adventurous projects - I'd love to hear your thoughts on
1. Whether there is the possibility of a marketplace/directory for trade people/developers so that materials can be reused rather than relying solely on contacts like Jan was lucky enough to have?
2. Possibility of creating a catalogue of unconventional materials that have been building regulator tested so each project doesn't have to repeat work?
3. Do you think engineers/architects are being taught at the uni level to be more creative and driven more by what is available rather than just ordering materials new?
Also apologies if this is already on your radar but Jan mentioned mud and straw techniques and it reminded me there is an amazing exhibition atm in Bristol by Elias Sime who helped create a fantastic mud and straw made art museum in Ethiopia https://arnolfini.org.uk/whatson/eliassimeeregata/
1. Yes, a directory would be amazing. One of the big issues is storage. Someone has to pay to store large amounts of materials and I guess it hasn't proven to be a great business model yet!
2. Sounds like a good research project! Could be a handy publication for the industry.
3. According to my friend Scott MacAuly of Anthropocene Architecture School, it seems no. But some places are pioneering, like the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales.
Thanks for the responses! On the first point I was thinking of something more like Facebook marketplace where developers could post what they have available on their existing sites but it'd still be tricky I suppose making sure it would align timewise with someone who might need it for another project/you don't know what will be available to include in your planning application. I'll have a look at the two places you mentioned in the last point, they sound interesting!
Hi Ross, I've not had to build any buildings recently (uh... or ever, really...) but I am trying to be more circular and sustainable in other areas of my life. It is made so hard by the constant use of composite materials by manufacturers, though, from clothing to furniture to cleaning products. I make my own skincare and cleaning products now, but I'm no seamstress. Clothing using material from a single source is marketed as 'pure' silk or or cotton or linen or wool and the prices inflated enormously. It seems from what you say that this is a problem across the board.
Hi Ross, I've listened to your podcast for a little while after you ran a session at UCL. I loved your discussion with Jan Kattein, reminded me of when I used to volunteer regularly with Goodgym and moved my fair share of wood chip in the Story Garden, it's wonderful to see what it's become!
I liked the topics on reusing materials and bringing councils on board with more adventurous projects - I'd love to hear your thoughts on
1. Whether there is the possibility of a marketplace/directory for trade people/developers so that materials can be reused rather than relying solely on contacts like Jan was lucky enough to have?
2. Possibility of creating a catalogue of unconventional materials that have been building regulator tested so each project doesn't have to repeat work?
3. Do you think engineers/architects are being taught at the uni level to be more creative and driven more by what is available rather than just ordering materials new?
Also apologies if this is already on your radar but Jan mentioned mud and straw techniques and it reminded me there is an amazing exhibition atm in Bristol by Elias Sime who helped create a fantastic mud and straw made art museum in Ethiopia https://arnolfini.org.uk/whatson/eliassimeeregata/
Lots of great points here!
1. Yes, a directory would be amazing. One of the big issues is storage. Someone has to pay to store large amounts of materials and I guess it hasn't proven to be a great business model yet!
2. Sounds like a good research project! Could be a handy publication for the industry.
3. According to my friend Scott MacAuly of Anthropocene Architecture School, it seems no. But some places are pioneering, like the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales.
Thanks for the responses! On the first point I was thinking of something more like Facebook marketplace where developers could post what they have available on their existing sites but it'd still be tricky I suppose making sure it would align timewise with someone who might need it for another project/you don't know what will be available to include in your planning application. I'll have a look at the two places you mentioned in the last point, they sound interesting!
Hi Ross, I've not had to build any buildings recently (uh... or ever, really...) but I am trying to be more circular and sustainable in other areas of my life. It is made so hard by the constant use of composite materials by manufacturers, though, from clothing to furniture to cleaning products. I make my own skincare and cleaning products now, but I'm no seamstress. Clothing using material from a single source is marketed as 'pure' silk or or cotton or linen or wool and the prices inflated enormously. It seems from what you say that this is a problem across the board.