Class Day 8

We set a game plan for the rest of the semester.

Important dates: Thursday, October 27th, 2011 - Powerpoint Presentation Round 2 and Thursday, December 1st, 2011 - Final Powerpoint Presentation.

Also, we discussed the blog book we have to get printed, and that that should be in pdf form ready to send out to be made before Thanksgiving.

Humans and animals greatly differ when it comes to consumption.  Like for examples ants have a small biomass, and they really leave no waste products behind.  Unlike us...

Materials vary from history because now a days we genetically mutate them to fit our needs.  Which goes against the natural qualities of the material.  

Cities greatly impact the climate.  Industry is a great killer too.  They create new products, and allow products that are hazardous to our health out in the world.  Products need to last, but if they last very long that shuts down jobs for people.  So products are made to expire at a set time, in order to make consumers buy more.  

We are the future.  We need to be educated, and also educate others in the pursue of a happy livable environment. 


Also throughout the class Sarah Heller asked us questions in order to spark questions to continue the conversation going.
* Discuss the role of industry and how humans differ from any other species on the planet with respect to material consumption?
* How does the concentration of population in an urban setting directly impact the adjacent environment?
* How does consumerism is our culture differ from Before and After the Great Depression and World War Era?
* Should we as a society challenge the concept of waste and how?
* In Chapter 3, McDonough describes the "The New Design Assignment" - How does this concept impact the role of the architect?  The role of architecture school?
* How does the research we are conducting in this elective relate to the contemporary role of architecture and interior design?
* What concepts learned in this class will effect your personal philosophy and practice once you graduate with a Master's degree in Architecture?
* Chapter 2 of Cradle to Cradle, William Rathje is quoted as saying "Recycling is an aspirin, alleviating a rather large collective hangover...overconsumption." - Based on the readings and our tour of the recycling facility in Lexington what do we need to do as a culture to confront the concept of overconsumption?
* Why is it important for architects to know how to conduct independent research?


It's through these questions that the conversation continued to go throughout the class period. I was able to give my opinion throughout the class too, which can be seen throughout my thought typed above about the class.

Reading 6

Cradle to Cradle by William McDonough and Michael Braungart

 Chapter 4 Pages 92 - 117

This whole chapter circulated about the idea of making waste into food.  This processing of recycling is something that we should revert back to.  The nomadic way of life was a healthy one for the people and the environment.  Our new ways have ruined us in the present and the future.

There are two different types of masses: biological and technical.  Biological masses deal with the biosphere and natural items, while technical masses deal with industry and are man-made.  These two masses can be reused or recycled, except for when you start combining two unlike materials.  

The rise of cities lead to sanitation problems world wide.  Even today, the "treated" sewage isn't really treated because it still contains harmful parts.  

It's sad that today people want to always be the first to use a new product they brought.  No one really wants to buy used items.  They want to be the first to use it!  "This virgin product is mine, for the very first time.  When I am finished with it (special, unique person that I am), everyone is.  It is history." (p. 102-103)  It's crazy that we all have that mentality in us.  Everyone seems to strive for it.

The creation of hybrid materials, like PET, seemed good in the beginning, but long-term they are bad.  They are unhealthy for us the consumers.  When the book mentioned about the mill that converted into a healthy environment to sell environmentally friendly fabric, it was crazy about the regulators.  The regulators couldn't believe that an industrial plant wasn't contributing harmful particles into the water.  When an item is compostable and safe for people, it seems easier to make a healthier and safer factory to product it.

The thing with technical products is when you melt them down, you can only combine them with the same item melted down.  This is help retain the original products quality.  Metals and plastics are prime examples of this.

They mention carpet are pages 112-113!!!

The end of the chapter made me feel scared to wear shoes again...flip flops it is...

Interview

Flor
Direct Marketing Manager answered questions
Heather Arnett, FLOR Sales Associate Sr., forwarded questions to DMM

10/7/11 @ 9:50 AM Replied

How much do you sell yearly?

We are not at liberty to disclose company financial information.

Is it hard to maintain FLOR tiles?

No, FLOR carpet squares can be easily cleaned in the sink, air dried and placed back good as new.  For details on care and maintenance of FLOR, please visit (http://www.flor.com/maintenance ) 


How much on average does it cost for a tile?
FLOR products range from $8.99 per square to $40.00 per square. 


Are FLOR tiles healthier than regular carpet?
Unlike many other rugs or carpeting options, FLOR products are made with renewable and recycled content and most styles are recyclable through our Return & Recycle Program (http://www.flor.com/recycle ).  For more details on the philosophy behind the design of FLOR, visit (http://www.flor.com/design-philosophy ) and here for information on our sustainability efforts (http://www.flor.com/sustainability ) 


What are the tiles made of?The raw materials in FLOR varies by style, with 100% Nylon face fibers among the most common.  For details on specific styles, visit FLOR.com and click on the "Specifications" tab for materials and recycled content information. 


In the catalogue I saw that there is a photo of a woman and kid cleaning a tile in the sink....Is that possible?
Yes.  Most dirt and spills can be easily cleaned by rinsing in the sink with mild detergent and warm water.  Visit this page for helpful videos, one of which is how to clean/replace/refresh your FLOR design http://www.flor.com/flor-videos 

***One thing that aggravates me is that it may seem that I'm asking obvious questions that I could look up online, but I don't because who knows what is right online.  And by asking this questions I hope to spark the person I'm interviewing into adding additional information.  I just feel like since I'm a student they don't care, and at times it makes me feel like they think I'm incompetent.  I just want a spark a conversation, but I feel they are too busy and rush me off.

Bamboo Hardwoods

800-607-2414

10/7/11

Called and asked who I should talk to, and the man, Chris, told me to ask him the questions.  I felt he had no clue how to answer my questions.  I asked "Where you do get the bamboo?" and he replied, "from China."  Then I asked "Why don't you all grow it in the US?"  His response was well you should look it up online.  After that he told me to just go to the website. I felt like I was just thrown aside and he didn't have the time for me to brother him with questions.

I am getting very frustrated with having to deal with certain companies.  The positive experiences are running out.

Interview

Forbo
Betty, Technical Department
570-459-0771
10/6/11 @ 4:12 PM


*Reordered samples because never received them last month

With this phone call I got kicked around from department to department.  Went from Operator to Receptionist to Samples to finally Technical.

Do you make the tiles?  If not, where?

No, the tiles are made over seas in Europe, then shipped over to us.  Our main Forbo headquarters is in Europe.

What are the tiles made of?  Are they sustainable?

They are made from linoleum, which is made of natural materials.  This makes them sustainable.

Naturally floating floor means what?

Floating floor means that there is no glue used.  The flooring is placed over the previous flooring.  For the materials that require glue installation contains no VOCs.

Naturally bacteriostatic means?

Bacteriostatic means that the tiles materials are self sanitizing.  This means that they don't mold.

How do you clean them?

We recommend that customers use neutral pH cleaners, so they don't harm the tiles.

What is the expected life of the tiles?

The span depends on where the tiles are installed and how much traffic the area gets.  Usually it ranges between 20 to 30 years.

Are the tiles easily replaceable?

Yes, the tiles are easy to take out.

Can the tiles be recycled?

The factory that manufactures the tiles recycle tiles.  Here in North America we are trying to set up a recycling center for the tiles.  I have no details on this though.

Terra Green Ceramics

Teresa Smith, Office Manager

765-935-4760

10/6/11 @ 4:05 PM

How are the tiles made?

The ceramic tiles are manufactured here at our facilities.  We are located in Richmond, IN, and we operate from there.  The tiles are 55% recycled materials in the body.

Where is the recycled glass from that is used to create the tiles?

The glass is within the body of every tile.

What is the cost of the tiles?

The cost depends on the size and color of the tiles.  They can range from $2 - $13 a tile.

How long do they last?

Well I'm unsure, but here in the office we have had the same tiles since 1989.

Is there a sealant used on the tiles?

There is no sealant required, but the consumers are able to choose their own.

Are the tiles glued down?

We don't install, but the typical process is mortar.

Have ever thought of a program to recycle tiles?

We actually use the scraps in our parking lot, all over the Richmond area, and in the landscape.

Flor

* I am emailing my questions to Heather Arnett who will pass them around to the people that can answer them

Class Day 7

University of Kentucky Professor
Biosystems Engineering
Controlled Environment Systems
Donald Colliver, Ph.D., P.E.
* Helped with building of Solar Decathlon House*


dcolliver@uky.edu

The walkways for pedestrians are important around campus.  Have to watch out for rust because it can ruin a pedestrian bridge.  At the University of Kentucky they cover the walkways or heat them to not cause any rust to form.  Rust means death for the pedestrian bridge.  He started by talking about the interaction of environment and buildings.  Buildings are important because they contribute to 9.5% to US GDP through construction and renovation projects.  Buildings energy use is important because they use 70% of US electricity, and 55% of US natural gas.  Buildings are the fastest growing consumer, than transportation and industrial.  They use coal, renewable, natural gas, petroleum, and electricity (which is the main one used, and has increased 53% over the years.  2/5 of CO2 in US is related to buildings.  

Water is a very important thing all over the world.  45% of water usage if by buildings.  Majority of the energy within buildings is used in the HVAC.  The electronics are sucking up electricity.  100 watts of electricity in 30 minutes makes 1/2 lb of CO2 from the coal plant where the electricity in Kentucky comes from.  Lighting is a very complex analysis process, and is a large component in buildings.  Building energy flows can be very complex.


McKinsey Global Institute

Comfort is an important factor for people when it comes to using energy, like with AC...


High performance buildings are helping to reduce energy usage.  Net-Zero energy buildings produce as much energy as they use.  Net-Zero includes: Site Energy, Source Energy, Emissions, and Energy Cost.  Each one has a different meaning when people attach it to a building.


LEED is one of the common branding along with energy saving buildings.  Putting LEED brand on a building is roughly $40 or $50,000!  Energy Star also emerges, and states that they are 30% more energy efficient than regular models.  


ASHEA  -  Advanced Energy Design Guide


It's interesting to see how Engineers think about sustainability compared to Architects.  It's radically different!  Engineers get all technical with various components, while Architects think graphically.  We take a more artist approach to our line of thinking.  Which I feel makes it more relatable to people outside Architecture.

Research

Globus Cork

Cork tiles are very good for the environment.  Cork trees are not destroyed in the production of cork.  The bark is trimmer from the tree every 9 years, which causes no harm to the tree or its surroundings.  Globus Cork flooring tiles are made from the waste of cork wine stopper manufacturing process.  So this makes the cork tiles a recycled item.  Even the pigments used are water-based, solvent free, and contain no VOCs.  Cork itself is very durable, has a long life, is elastic, and fire resistant.  Cork also helps to reduce transmissions of sound, vibration, heat, and is a great insulator.  It also repels bugs, mold, mites, and termites.

Reading 5

Slow Death By Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things by Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie

Chapter 3 Pages 69-95

It's interesting how PFCs are very bad for us (even though many companies deny it), but here we are lining our popcorn bags and spraying our rugs with it.  I'm glad that there are great companies out there like 3M who is 2000 removed PFOs from their Scotchgard product.  That was a move for the better and it makes them stand out a great company to get items from because they are looking out for the health of not only their workers, but consumers too.  No matter what precautions we seem to take, it appears that PFOA is everywhere around us.  How are we to escape it?!

Carpet appeared in this reading pertaining to items that give off fluorinated alcohols.  These are man-made chemicals that we have been putting into our atmosphere.  The earth tries to get rid of it, but at the rate we are putting it into the air, the more the earth has to work with no end in sight.  

"Directly across the river from the DuPont chemical factory is the drinking-water well field for the town of the Little Hocking, Ohio." (p. 74)  This seems quite wrong...

When it came to the lawsuit that followed between DuPont and the Tennants seemed like there could never be an even trade for all the harm the company did to the family.  The Tennants lost their lives, cattle, and much more.  That's crazy!!!

What gives companies like DuPont the right to say that they can set their own standard for drinking water?  Where did they get this power?  Money doesn't mean power...it means greed...

I think it's good that the people of the town didn't really attack DuPont and want them gone from their town, but at the same time...I'm like DuPont should pay and leave the town for all the harm they did.  It was very noble and right of the town to want DuPont to stay, but wanted to get their questions answered when it came to their health and more.  

It's crazy how workers will put themselves in very unhealthy and deadly conditions just to get money to provide for their family.  Is it really worth the cost, which is ultimately your death?

DuPont wasn't right in trying to hide the fact that they were contaminating their workers, and also the future generations.  Like when it came to their test on the 8 pregnant women and they found out 2 had children with birth defects.  All the company did was move the women away and out of sight.  They thought out of sight meant out of mind.  Didn't the women with the birth defected children think to look further into their children's deformities?

I feel that tap water is going to be the end of us...the silently deadly killer...