Bruce Swetnam- Architect- Interview

Bruce Swetnam
Kentuckiana Masonry Institute Endowed Associate Professor in Materials and Methods of Construction
859-257-7374
bswet0@uky.edu

Conventional Kentucky Wall Section:

Cradle to Cradle Ch. 6

Cradle to Cradle Ch. 6

Putting Eco-Effectiveness into Practice

-The original factory (called Rouge) of Ford cars is in Michigan and after so many years of use by the end of the century not only was the Rouge was on its last limb, but also the land around it.  But instead of moving and developing a new clean area, Ford’s great grandson decided to make the Rouge “native to its place”.

-During the great depression not only did Ford have an assembly line, he also made a dis-assembly line to reuse and process parts of old cars.

-ISO is International Standards of Organization, which is a certification that means you are a leader in environmental concerns instead of just waiting for regulators to moderate it.

-Most manufacturing companies try to hide the pollution and when found out, they just move the waste and bury it somewhere else

-The Rouge is a good model, because they owned up to their mistakes and don’t just want to clean up, but want to create a healthy environment that gives back and that the employees “own children can play in”.

-The more sustainable the company got, the more it found new opportunities to help the environment at a lower cost.

-They used green roofs and other native plants on the surroundings of the factory to manage storm water and to naturally clean the water moving from the factory site to the nearby river.

-Their factories are now being built with the occupants in mind, when considering air, day lighting, and temperature

Five Steps to Eco-Effectiveness

Step 1. Get “Free of” Known Culprits

-If something is “free of” something, it does not mean that there is something worse in it.

-There was a company that wanted to make a chlorine free plastic container because that is what everyone was worried about, but they still kept the polyurethane and heavy metals in the product.  “Pollution free” is a better goal.

-Designing to look at what does not need to be included in products, such as mercury and PVC, is what needs to be done instead of worrying about it at the end of production.

Step 2. Follow informed Personal Preferences

-You may want to use products that are eco-effective, but if you don’t know the ingredients there is no way to know which decisions are better, even if they appear at first to be better

-Prefer ecological intelligence: Pick things that are not blatantly harmful, and make informed choices even in the “unknown”

-Refer respect: respect for product makers, local communities where it is made, handlers and transporter, and the customer- respect also is when the advertising matches the inside

-Prefer delight, celebration, and fun:  More than making the people feel guilty for not choosing “eco” products is improving life and pleasure through “eco”.

Step 3. Creating a “Passive Positive” list

-The X list: These include carcinogens and other deadly ingredients like cancer causing ingredients like asbestos

-The gray list: These are products that are not directly harmful and/or are needed but do not have a better replacement, like using Cadmium to produce photovoltaic solar collectors and controlling the Cadmium waste, rather than using Cadmium in batteries, which would just get thrown in a landfill and would harm others

-The P list: These are positive or preferred ingredients that are tested and know to be safe, healthy, and possibly helpful to the environment, which would mean the beginning of trading harmful for help, which does not mean, for instance, to change colors but to switch to a different blue ingredient composition

Step 4. Activate the Positive List

-Now that you know the ingredients and are designing from start to finish, there is no need to continue replacing ingredients, but now you can start from scratch using the most helpful ingredients making food for biological or technologic processes

Step 5. Reinvent

-For example, instead of designing a car to limit and reduce negative emissions, design for the car to emit positive emissions and as much of it as possible

-This can even apply to things that have not been created yet

Five Guiding Principles

-The movement to Step 5 takes time, money, effort, and creative thinking, companies like Nike have already stared on this path

Signal Your Intention

-It is important to announce direction and make sure everyone is on the same page throughout the organization

-If having no care for the ingredients and disposal of a solar panel, then an energy problem has been replaced with a materials problem

Restore

-Design to give back bio and techno nutrients, use natural processes in when doing normal tasks, like filtering water, and create new habitats for life instead of taking it away

Be Ready to Innovate Further

-Perfection is not a reachable goal, because there will always be new creations, so it is important to be able to be flexible and “open to ‘feedforward,’ not just feedback.”

Understand and Prepare for the Learning Curve

-We need to understand that there is a need to supply time and at least some resources for developing, or evolution will never happen

Integrate Intergenerational Responsibility

-We can’t have the mind set of doing what we want and letting the next generation take care of the mess, or not realize that leaving a mess for the next generation is what we are doing

-“This is going to take us all, and it is going to take forever.  But then, that’s the point.”

Lisa- RB Rubber Products- Product Rep

Lisa

RB Rubber Products, Inc.
904 NE 10th Avenue
McMinnville, OR 97128

(800) 525-5530

-What processes do you use to turn old tires into so many different products?

Grind into crumbs and remove wires, then use a binding agent

-When using crumb rubber, are there any types of adhesives used to create the new products?

Urethane binding agents

-When recycled, can it be processed into the exact same product again?

Yes

-Do you have a roof water proofing product?

No, no water proofing products

Materials?

http://www.rbrubber.com/

http://www.bondedlogic.com/construction-products/ultratouch-denim-insulation

http://www.reclaimedwoodco.com/page/15/reclaimed-lumber/

http://www.naima.org/insulation-knowledge-base/residential-home-insulation/insulation-and-vapor-retarders.html

http://building.dow.com/na/en/products/housewrap/
http://msdssearch.dow.com/PublishedLiteratureDOWCOM/dh_0882/0901b8038088284d.pdf?filepath=styrofoam/pdfs/noreg/179-07965.pdf&fromPage=GetDoc
http://msdssearch.dow.com/PublishedLiteratureDOWCOM/dh_006a/0901b8038006a1b3.pdf?filepath=styrofoam/pdfs/noreg/179-07173.pdf&fromPage=GetDoc

http://www.homedepot.com/Lumber-Composites-Plywood-Sheathing-Subfloor/h_d1/N-bqm7Z5yc1v/R-100063669/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051

http://www.lowes.com/pd_11717-74265-1448WBT080000_4294858283_4294937087_?zipCode=40241&masthead=true&firstReferURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lowes.com%2Fpd_11717-74265-1448WBT080000_4294858283_4294937087_%3FproductId%3D3009466%26Ns%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1%26pl%3D1%26currentURL%3D%252Fpl_Drywall_4294858283_4294937087_%253FNs%253Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%257C1%26facetInfo%3D&catalogId=10051&catalogId=10051&productId=3009466&pl=1&findStoreErrorURL=StoreLocatorDisplayView&selectedLocalStoreBeanArray=%5Bcom.lowes.commerce.storelocator.beans.LocatorStoreBean%4030dc30dc%2C+com.lowes.commerce.storelocator.beans.LocatorStoreBean%40318c318c%2C+com.lowes.commerce.storelocator.beans.LocatorStoreBean%40323c323c%2C+com.lowes.commerce.storelocator.beans.LocatorStoreBean%4032ec32ec%2C+com.lowes.commerce.storelocator.beans.LocatorStoreBean%40339c339c%5D&currentURL=%2Fpl_Drywall_4294858283_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&Ntt=&langId=-1&langId=-1&URL=TopCategoriesDisplayView&mastheadURL=TopCategoriesDisplayView&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&storeId=10151&storeId=10151

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100020855/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=vapor+barrier+wall&storeId=10051

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100661861/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=vapor+barrier&storeId=10051

Jerry Weston- Bonded Logic Rep- Interview

Jerry Weston

Customer Service/Inside Sales Manager

Bonded Logic, Inc.

24053 S. Arizona Avenue, Suite 151

Chandler, AZ 85248

(480) 812-9114 ext. 12

(480) 812-9633 fax

(602) 725-3663 cell

 To: jerryw@bondedlogic.com

Hello, my name is Wes Nowell, and I am an architecture graduate student at the University of Kentucky and I am doing some GREEN material research.  I have a few questions about the UltraTouch™ Denim Insulation and the UltraTouch™ Radiant Barrier.

-What are the lengths and widths of each of these products you sell and how much per sq ft?

Attached are both the UltraTouch Denim spec and Radiant Barrier spec that shows the product dimensions.

-Are the products entirely recycled and can they be recycled after use as insulation? If so, where can they be taken to be recycled?

The products are made from post-consumer recycled denim and other cotton fibers.  They are mixed with a binder fiber that is not recycled and treated with a borate solution.  If brought back us we could shred the product and reuse it.

-Is the aluminum on the Radiant Barrier held on by an adhesive? If so, what is the adhesive and its ingredients? How does this affect its ability to be recycled?

The foil facing has a thin plastic backing that is heated and sticks the foil to the surface of the denim pad.  We cannot recycle the foil facing but can recycle and reuse the denim pad.

-On the spec sheet for the Radiant Barrier it mentions Emissivity and says 0.03 for its value.  What does this mean?

Emissivity is the value given to materials based on the ratio of heat emitted compared to a blackbody, on a scale of 0 to 1. A blackbody would have an emissivity of 1 and a perfect reflector would have a value of 0

Basically that means that the foil facing is mostly reflective surface which is what you want in a radiant barrier product.

-Do you have any connection with or approval from the EPA? If so, where can I see this information?

We do not have any EPA connections or approvals.

Thank you for your time,
Wes Nowell 

Foster Gunnison 1

 

Cradle to Cradle Ch. 5

Cradle to Cradle Ch. 5

Respect Diversity

-“This is nature’s design framework: a flowering of diversity, a flowering of abundance.  It is Earth’s response to its one source of incoming energy: the sun.”

-Human cover up nature and try to control and hold it back leaving only the hardest of nature left to survive

-In this age we say “respect diversity”, but we really either push people away from other cultures or just become similar.

The Fittest Survive, the Fitting-est Thrive

-The “fitting-est” is a term that describes “an energetic and material engagement with place, and an interdependent relationship to it.”

-Ants have so many distinct differences within its own species that can exist in many different environments all over the world and can coexist with other kinds of its own species and other species

-In one tree some kinds of ants occupy the top, others the middle, and others the bottom, all working in the same tree but using different recourses and sometimes the same

-Ants air out the soil making water more easily available to it and trees give us oxygen to breath and it all works together in a divers woven fabric, that as each thread gets hurt or destroyed it weakens other weaves

All Sustainability is Local

-Human systems are local, but we don’t see it that way; we don’t see our moves and how they affect others in the area, in the environment, or imports and exports as really affecting our area

-Modern prefab housing can be placed anywhere, but is that what is best for the area, or to use local materials and building constructions that are already workable in a more sustainable way, from that area?

Using Local Materials

-Bio-invasion is where a material from one place is ad verdantly or non ad verdantly in traduced to a un-excepting environment that kills or mutates

-A process is being worked on that replaces natural (using fish, algae, shrimp, plants and others) process to purify our waste in water, instead of using chemicals like chlorine

-Some places store their septage during the winter and uses it during the vibrant long lasting summer months to use its many minerals and nutrients it holds

-If all our water sources and cycles were local we would think twice about pouring dangerous chemicals down the drain; but even if we don’t use local sources we should still think about others

Connecting to Natural Energy Flows

-We now have unprecedented power over nature and no longer completely rely on it, but along with our machines for living, we have disconnected ourselves with nature which is not really living

-There are countless examples of worldwide (non-modern) examples of using natural methods, such as building into the ground or building wind scoops down to water to cool the air in the hotter temperatures

-We aim to cut ourselves off from nature use, like using glass to see nature but not be in it

-We could use hybrid strategies optimizing our technologies, but still use natural flows to limit artificial energy sources

A Transition to Diverse and Renewing Energy Flows

-Using small and more local sources of energy is a whole lot more eco-efficient than using one big centralized production

-Solar Panels can easily be mounted on roof tops and used during peak times of need, such as when air condition is need for cooling from the Hot Sun!

-Machines can cut on and off according to need, such as a freezer making ice to cool the box while it saves power

Reap the Wind

-Wind –energy is good, but can become non-efficient once the plants get too big and don’t use natural materials to create the turbines, which can also ruin the landscape

A Diversity of Needs and Desires

-Not only thinking about how something will be produced it is also important to look at how it will be used and by whom

-If a structure is built with diversity and “enduring advantages” then it can be used over and over by different users without having to tear it down or awkwardly renovate.

-Packaging is one of the biggest problems, but could be designed to be used by the area sent to; for burned energy, building material, or just decomposable

Form Follows Evolution

-Products should not be one-size-fits-all products, but rather have variables with in its mass production that allows for a variety of possible places the product could be used

-Soap that is used in a washing machine needs to be stronger than if used on skin and could be recycled if washing machines had this kind of function

-Diversity is in nature’s framework and people naturally prefer diversity over sameness

A Tapestry of Information

-We don’t need to look at what has worked for the past and is working in the present but it is important to look at what will work in the future so the next generation is not left with a mess to clean up, or add to.

-Products should evolve; for example: now that a soap product is safe for human skin, we can ask is it safe for the river? Or can it bring nutrients to the soil?

-Moisturizers were added to shampoos because it had other cheap chemicals that would dry out skin

A Diversity of “Isms”

-Going to any extreme is dangerous and is bound to leave out at least one important point

-There is a triangular balance of: ECONOMY, EQUITY, and ECOLOGY

-Only Economy is “does it make money?” no matter the social or environmental impacts

-Only Equity is “Are people being treated fairly?” no matter if you are making money or hurting environment

-Only Ecology is “How can we improve the environment?” no matter the cost and peoples roles are dismissed

-Economy is important because if you don’t make money you don’t stay in business Equity is important because if people are not treated fairly moral and people’s rights are compromised

Ecology is important because if the world goes under we go under

-Balance can support each of the three

The Triple Top Line

-Conventionally in design there is a tripod: cost, aesthetics, and performance

-This has a part of the Economy, Equity, and Ecology, but still is heavy on the Economy side and just extra points for the others are considered

-Companies see Equity and Ecology as a bottom line. But if they saw it as a top line there would be many economic advantages

An Industrial Re-Evolution

-Creating diversity and using natural methods instead of harsh chemicals can start to move from the industrial revolution to an industrial re-evolution

-Sustainable is better but is only a stability instead of flourishing or giving back like nature does to itself

-We need to create and be in a system that takes and gives back