Evaluation

Learning about sustainable design and it’s countless possibilities has been an interesting and fascinating journey.  It has taught me to be more aware of the type of things I design and how they will affect the environment that they are designed for. Through Sustainable design, I learned about the concept of “Teds 10” a series of guidelines that I think should be practiced by every designer including interior designers and architects.

In relation to my design practice, I was able to use what I had learned from sustainable design in a mini-project that involved reinventing a found object. I focused mainly on two concepts: minimizing waste and recycling/upcycling. The project involved either buying or finding an object and then reinventing it. For this project my group and I were able to recycle some wood and transform it into a coffee table, we had also found some used paper doilies and upcycled them into a lamp.  This mini project taught me just how easy it is to design in a more environmentally friendly way but still be creative about it. Off course, this was a simple project but the concepts and ideas that I learned from this small project can still be mirrored and repeated for much larger ones.

In fact there are already ongoing architectural projects that can be deemed “sustainable” One example is the “Eden Project” which is a multiple greenhouse complex located in Cornwall. Open to the public, the Eden project is visited by people from all over the world to look at the greenhouses massive collection of plants from all over the world.  Moreover the design of the Eden Project is as equally as impressive as its collection of plants. Dominated by two huge enclosures, the complex consists of adjoining domes. These domes consist of hundreds of hexagonal and pentagonal, inflated plastic cells which are then supported by steel frames.  This smart design creates a natural biome within the domes and is what allows the environment inside to remain at a constant temperature and humidity. The complex also uses Green Tariff Electricity — the energy comes from one of the many wind turbines in Cornwall, which were among the first in Europe. As a result not only is the Eden project an amazing piece of architecture; it is also a sustainable one because of it’s ability to provide a natural environment for the plants it houses and it’s self sufficiency. Moreover the Eden project provides visitors with environmental education and awareness.

As a result I have gained a new perspective on how we as designers can manipulate and guide our consumers to buying and purchasing more environmentally friendly and sustainable things. With global warming being an ever present threat to our daily life now is the time to take action and heal the world. We can do this as designers as simply as through our decision-making.  We as designers have the power and can control what goes into the market and what doesn’t, by simply choosing to use a more eco-friendly material – like  tree bark cloth or lyocell ­– we are contributing to a better and cleaner earth. As a result we are able to make sustainable products whether it be fashion-based products or interior based products accessible to consumers.  So choose and design wisely!

Green Shops & Design Activism

While strolling around Dalston Junction I came across this place called "Farm:Shop"a cafe, work space and art venue  that grows it's own produce. YAY FOR DESIGN ACTIVISM! In the front of the cafe is an aquaponic fish farm that grows Tilapia and prawns and on the roof there is a chicken coop.  I thought the idea of having an urban farm is brilliant as this can serve as means for locals to have access to fresh produce. Moreover the economically used space is great way to save on space as it shows we don't always need big open spaces to grow or farm things.

Across the road is "Eastern Curve Garden" a spacious wooden garden pavillion built by The architectural collective Exyzt as a place for city dwellers to escape hectic city life. Nowadays the garden has evolved and now includes large raised beds for growing food, which are already filling up fast with tomatoes, peppers and scented herbs, all grown by Dalston residents.

I thought that the concept of providing people with space to grow, cultivate and breed fresh produce is great. Not only does it provide them with easy access to fresh cooking ingredients it helps develop their community.

Sustainable design in relation to interior design/Architecture.

The Athaneum Hotel in London is a great Piece or architectural design. It is created by Patrick Blanc and entitled "Living Wall". I was intrigued and fascinated by this design because I thought that the idea of having a vertical garden rather than a horizontal one is genius. It is  a great way of using space and providing city dwellers with some clean and fresh air.  Let's not forget to mention that this is also a great way to provide gloomy and grey london with some colour!

Upcycling mini-project

I made these lace lanterns out of used paper doilies. Let's minimize our waste and upcycle instead!

Sustainable Bark Cloth from around the world

As you can see, harvesters local to Uganda practice environmentally friendly harvesting techniques when manufacturing Bark Cloth. As shown by the video the tree bark is expertly scraped off, one thin layer at a time. We see a line cut from the top of the tree to its base, and then around, on each opposing end in order for it to be cleanly peeled off. Harvesters must make sure not to cut too shallow or too deep. Cutting too shallow will result in an uneven or broken peel whilst cutting the tree too deep will damage the next existing layer of bark. After collecting and packing the tree bark, banana leaves are cut and then rubbed on the newly exposed tree trunk. After this, they proceed by wrapping the trees trunk in the banana leaves in order to protect the tree while it heals itself. The trees take 9 months to replace their bark. The next step to making tree bark cloth is to boil the bark for 20 minutes. Solar energy is used to boil the water (yes! very eco-friendly!)which then rids the bark of any impurities such as insects living in the bark and also softens the material. After boiling, the cloth is further softened with use of manual labour and hammers. Pounding the cloth results in an even and smooth texture. 

Material Research: local and organically woven goods of Puerto Princesa

These woven goods are all organically and naturally produced by the locals of Puerto Princesa, Palawan in the Philippines. The materials used to create these products are all natural, including the dye they use. Support ecotourism in the Philippines!

Material Research: Tree Bark Cloth

Tree Bark cloth made by the Tagbanwa people

Over the Christmas holidays, I was provided with the opportunity to go on a trip to Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Besides being able to enjoy the areas great beaches and caves I came across an intriguing fabric, - tree bark cloth. It is made and produced by the Tagbanwa People/Batak Tribe an indigenous group local to the area. The fabric is relatively soft and elastic, and used mainly by the tribe as undergarments. It is also the batak tribes source of income as they sell this material to locals and tourists. Tree bark cloth has an interesting texture and is widely used around Palawan and the rest of the Philippines as table runners, mats, and other textiles for the home. Another interesting fact about this textile is that each piece is completely unique.


The process of harvesting and making tree-bark cloth fascinates me too, because it is what makes this product a perfect example for a sustainable textile. Raw bark is harvested every year by felling however the Tagbanwa people make sure to plant more than what they cut down in order to provide their local ecosystem with a chance to heal and rejuvenate itself.

For more information on the Tagbanwa People click on the link below!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagbanwa_people

The traditional costumes of the Tagbanwa were fashioned from the bark of trees, particularly the "salugin". The preparation of this bark was unique. After being felled, the tree would be cut around the trunk, the outer bark stripped off to expose the inner layer. A mallet would beat the layer, until it is soft to hang loose from the bole. This is washed and dried under the sun. In the past, menfolk wore simple loincloths, supported by a woven rattan waistband called ambalad, while women wore only brief wraparound skirts made from bark. The Tagbanua later adopt some articles of Muslim clothing. At present, while many Tagbanwa still wear their traditional apparel, western-type clothing has found its way among the people.^[7]