SURFACES REPORTER's #MetooEarth Campaign on World Environment Day
As part of our ongoing activities towards promoting environment friendly sustainable initiatives, SURFACES REPORTER (SR) has started the #MeTooEarth Campaign showcasing selected entries received from people with innovations, initiatives, designs, projects, products and activities from around the design world that inspire and take one step forward towards a eco friendly, sustainable future for all. Keep Watching this space..
GE researchers, together with top scientists and engineers from the University Of California at Berkeley, University Of South Alabama, and University Of Chicago are working on developing a compact, transportable device that produces water out of thin air. The project is named AIR2WATER is initiated to simplify the transportation of potable water to troops on the field. Further, the innovative technology will address water shortage all over the world in a powerful way. It is said that the portable AIR2WATER device can literally produce clean, safe water out of thin air. Also, it will be lightweight that can be carried easily with the help of four people.
The Construction industry is responsible for 39% of the world’s CO2 emissions. It means that we need a serious research into finding materials and techniques that could lower this emission. Keeping this in view, Rhino Machines has launched a truly sustainable alternative to the traditional brick called the Silica Plastic Block (SPB) made from recycling foundry dust/ sand waste (80%) and mixed plastic waste (20%) in collaboration with architectural firm R+D Studio.
In a move to get more COVID care centers, Shriti Pandey has set up two self-sufficient solar powered units in Bihar and Punjab using agro-waste. These inherently thermally insulated structures not only trap carbon dioxide and heat but also keep the interior cooler. Shriti Pandey and her initiative STRAWCTURE ECO, took less than 80 days to set up a self sufficient and fully operational COVID-care unit in Patna and Jalandhar for her client 'Doctors For You.'
The researchers at RMIT have developed a unique road material made of shredded single-use face masks and processed building rubble. The material meets civil engineering safety standards. The study showed that in one kilometre of two-lane road, 3 million face masks could be used, preventing 93 tonnes of waste from going to the landfill.
Inspiring hopes for millions of Indians who are in search of affordable housing, Tvasta Manufacturing Solutions, a tech start up by three IIT Madras alumni has created India's first fully 3D printed home. Created using Tvasta NIRMAAN – a self made industry-standard Concrete 3D Printer, with a build volume of 2.2 m x 1.8 m x 1.5 m and a printing speed of 100 mm/s, the project is undertaken in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity, USA – an NGO that is helping people worldwide realize their dream of owning a home.
Designed by Wallmakers, Jackfruit Garden Residence's very idea rises from trying to retain the huge jackfruit tree growing in one corner of the site. This gave the idea to the practice to create a compound wall that revolves around the historic tree and seamlessly twists upwards to join the Ferro-cement shell roof of the house. This, in turn, created a small private space landscaped like a Japanese Zen garden offering copious shade, secrecy and is also easily reachable from the kitchen. The house is largely constructed with CSEB (Compressed Stabilised Earth Blocks) and Rammed earth walls with strategically placed openings for cross-ventilation. They effectively reduce the overall cement consumption by 40% and steel consumption by 30% and are at par with the RCC slabs in all other aspects, including strength.
SURFACES REPORTER (SR) brings to you the surprising details of rugs and dhurries made from Japanese Paper Yarn by Sterling Rugs. Known as “Shosenshi”, paper yarn has older history than hemp or cotton in Japan. When asked about the base material for paper, we normally associate wood, but the base material of the Washi paper yarn, Abaca, is a type of perennial plant. Abaca is very lightweight since its fiber is porous, consisting rich amount of oxygen. It is also highly water resistant not only to pure water, but also to sea water.
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Nilanjan Bhowal is one of the leading architects of India who believes "Design is nothing but placing habitat in Nature". His passion for Design & Architecture made him open his own firm, “Design Consortium” in 1995 after completing his Masters in Architecture from Catholic University, Belgium, specializing in Human Settlements. Here, he will take Green Architect Nilanjan Bhowal, Design Consortium, takes us on a quick tour of his green home in South Delhi and also share his message for all on World Environment Day as a part of #MeTooEarth campaign with SURFACES REPORTER (SR).
Auroville Design Consultants designed Humanscapes Habitat a collective housing project based on the co-housing concept in Auroville, Tamil Nadu. Sprawled over an area of around 1,680 sqm, the three-storey buildings show the Sustainable and Integrated Urban Living. The efficient functional space layout with passive solar techniques and low embodied energy building materials coupled with re-cycled materials characterise the entire project. Poured earth walls, waste trimmings of cuddapha stone, natural stone flooring, brick vault roofing system, exposed concrete columns, overhangs and beams are some of the striking features of the project. Moreover, most of the material used in the project is locally sourced within 5 kms radius. Besides, reclaimed wood is used in the doors, windows and other carpentry.
Envisage have designed White Flower Hall- the new girl's hostel building at the Mann School in Alipur. The newly built dormitory has been planned with the intent to not only promote learning but also provide overall development of the students' personalities. The firm incorporated Mud Phuska (compacted soil with hay) in the structure for thermal insulation to avoid the entrance of heat by almost 70 percent. Additionally, the architects have also used several other sustainable elements such as solar panels. Moreover, the bricks used in the construction have been procured from local kilns for minimum carbon footprint.
Designed with sustainable materials in a defined budget, The Rustic Home shows that creativity and design is not dependant on money. The design of this home integrates Sustainable and Organic materials with the potentials of nature around as a response to the client’s love for nature and nature’s materials and also as a response to the defined budget for the project.Bamboo, Jute, Ropes, logs have been used in plenty apart from fly ash bricks to create a brick jali/screen and broken. In addition, discarded pieces of stone have been picked up from source to be used as counters, table tops and stepping stones.
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In the temporary structures, the element of sustainability is often nil. However, proving it wrong, Studio 919 Architects planned a 5 day Satsang event in Rajkot, Gujarat having sustainability at its core. Designed on the concept of reduce, reuse, recycle, refuse and reform, built with locally available, economic and recyclable material. With the concept, major concern was that of a temporary yet sturdy structure that could be moved to different location if needed. The material Palette of the event included, Bamboo, Terracotta Tawa, discarded tires, discarded water bottles, local arts and crafts.
With its own micro climate, project Marwah signifies a little paradise amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. The whole premise enclosed in walls creates a mini microclimate within that reduces the temperature by 3-4 degrees. Once inside, one feels completely detached from the city's hustle and bustle and of course pollution.
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