The Earthship Launch!

May 17th, 2011, 10:14 pm

Our project aims to lay the ground work for the construction of an EarthShip. An Earthship, as described on Earthship.com, is the most versatile and economical building design in the world. Earthships can be built in any part of the world, in any climate and still provide the conditions needed to sustain life. The building method is called Biotecture. There is possibility of a greenhouse as a static structure becoming a living structure; a conceptually reciprocal relationship between structure and occupant. We have an eclectic mix of skills pertaining to group objectives; knowledge of: architecture, environmental studies, computer sciences, community activists, art and communications studies. We’ve consulted the previous team’s legacy report and drew up a list of contacts of local greenhouses and suppliers pertaining to our project; our members are working on contacting these for Thursday. Each member of our group has elected to sketch design concepts for the structure we are proposing. One of our group members has volunteered to speak with the head of the architecture department and get a head start on the site analysis.

Earthship YouTube Channel

The Earthship architecture group has a brainstorming session!

The Earthship group discusses design concepts for legacy project!

Sound Incubator: Growth and Process

June 3rd, 2010, 10:23 pm

The gestation of the sound incubator has been one of creative discovery, beginning with our humble desire to create silence in order to better understand how sound effects the human condition–and evolving into an exploration of using transformational techniques to turn shipping pallets from trash to shields against the omnipresent traffic noise.

The idea began simply enough, we would create a wall between the student population and the intruding sound that would help improve the quality of life of the students as they traversed the desire path that has formed in front of the LeBel building.

Utilizing eco-friendly materials and principles of resonance, we had hoped to create an island of serenity in a sea of noise. Consequently we began to gather the materials, seen above, principally pallets, but also scrap wood of varying sizes.

The pile grew, and eventually construction began. In the intervening time our intention changed, through conversation and exploration of the nature of noise we gradually came to view the project as an attempt to create a pocket park, where students could rest and be shielded from the passing trucks. We built the wall with this concept in mind, including a weaving technique of thin strips of wood through the pallets to create something similar to a wattle, which (along with daub) became our chosen method for filling in the wall. This was chosen for its natural feel and low-environmental impact, as well as being an interesting way to transform our mundane materials into something more.

During today’s class, Stephen and I (Kevin Kapustiak) met with our instructors to further define the project, and discussed the future of the Sound Incubator. Ultimately we knew that our intentions were good, and methods had the potential to work–but we didn’t really know what would happen. Accordingly, the project became more exploratory in nature. A multitude of methods on a number of single-pallet panels, including the aforementioned wattle and daub, sod, plaster, and even newspaper have been discussed as potential sound barriers–and each will be tested in this new incarnation of the sound wall.

In the next few days, things will rapidly take shape and our logistics materials will become something more than they are.

Design Possibilities for the Sound Wall

May 25th, 2010, 7:18 pm

These are photos of Gaelyn Aguilar‘s ideas for the sound wall entitled “Pocket Park”

Gustavo and Gaelyn have continued to stay in contact with Kevin and me (Stephen). Gaelyn has provided a rendering of the space and how the wall could possibly take form. The wall would be made from the pallets and other found materials we’ve been collecting and the sound absorbing bass traps can also be found around the “Pocket Park”.

After recording the noise that emanates from Huron Church Road, the NAFTA Super-Highway that flows in front of the Lebel School  of Visual Arts, I will be able to isolate certain “problem” frequencies. There seems to be a distinct pattern of resonant frequencies that are multiples of 60 Hz. This allows us to be able to focus on methods and materials that neutralize problem areas like 30, 60, 120, 1800, 8000 Hz.

We have also been able to collect an array of wood materials to build the main structure. We’re going to use different methods to create sound blockage by connecting two pallets and filling the centre with a bass absorbing organic material of some sort, and we will use weaving methods with flexible pieces of wood and etc. Construction will begin on Thursday with the help of Gaelyn and Gustove.

Green Corridor featured in contingent ecologies :: investigations at the edge

May 25th, 2010, 9:06 am

contingent ecologies :: investigations at the edge

Presented as a partnership between InterAccess Electronic Media Arts Centre, Year Zero One and Subtle Technologies.

Curated by Camille Turner and Michael Alstad.

Dates: Exhibition – May 22 to June 12, 2010. Opening – June 4, 2010.

Location: InterAccess Electronic Media Arts Centre, 9 Ossington Avenue, Toronto

Each year Subtle Technologies presents an international festival bringing scientists, artists and designers together to share ideas, science and artworks around a theme. This year’s focus is on sustainability.

The most innovative, unconventional thinking and solutions often come from the periphery – beyond established structures and norms. contingent ecologies :: investigations at the edge present concepts, ideas and projects byarchitects, designers, artists and community activists from multiple view points coming together to explore and respond to a complexity of environmental and social issues.

Velo City, The Green Corridor and API are sustainable built environments and concepts represented through layers of media; video, installations, audio, photography and sketches within the InterAccess gallery space. Each project offers a glimpse into the process of the conceptualization of an idea. The exhibition continues online via a blog, offering public engagement and participation throughout the festival. The blog will initially feature projects presented in the exhibition and symposium and will then branch out into related territory with additional thematic content curated from online sources.

Exhibition Blog

http://www.year01.com/contingentecologies

The Birth of Sound Incubator

May 20th, 2010, 11:11 pm

The sound wall is beginning to take shape. The one other member in my group, Kevin, was unable to make it to class tuesday, so I, Stephen, started some of the design research.  I have started to look at several designs for a noise reducing shelter or wall. The search was inspired by the theories behind Helmholtz resonators, and sustainable design made from recycled materials.

I was very inspired by the use of skids in the type of shelters that can be found on the website Design For The Other 90%, a design group that focuses on

“use of local construction techniques and materials to build affordable permanent structures. In Africa, a low-cost device compacts soil into blocks for cost-effective buildings. In the United States, multidisciplinary teams, often composed of volunteers, are creating transitional or permanent housing for the homeless, and even for entire neighborhoods such as the areas of New Orleans destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.”

-Design For The other 90%

These concepts lead me to consider the use of  ”local construction techniques and materials” which lead me to the pallet or skid. A very common material that can especially be seen on and around the NAFTA superhighway that makes up large portion of the Green Corridor.

“The majority of the world’s designers focus all their efforts on developing products and services exclusively for the richest 10% of the world’s customers. Nothing less than a revolution in design is needed to reach the other 90%.”
—Dr. Paul Polak, International Development Enterprises

Me and Kevin will be working in assosciation with the artist group Tug Collective. This group is made of Gaelyn Aguilar and Gustavo Aguilar, an interdisciplinary art initiative.

“Tug is a free-range, performative research collective that serves as a platform for addressing issues of social and cultural transformation.  Our work is collaborative (we are not autonomous, self-contained individuals) and non-hierarchical (we respect difference by weaving it into the process).  Our projects come from disparate moments and geographic locations, and reflect an ethos that connects cultural production with community engagement.  We look for cracks in the pavement.  We co-create and cross pollinate. We propagate a sense of place.” -Tug Collective

We are all looking forward to working with each other and seeing where our creativity takes us.

The Green Corridor Intersession Course

March 15th, 2010, 5:45 pm

Special Session May 10 – June 21, 2010

We are currently looking for enthusiastic students that are self-starters, independent thinkers and future leaders to assist in the realization of the following projects:

Artist Projects:  Anarcheology Lab

Excavating new narratives of people, places, events and artifacts in the Ambassador Bridge/ Green Corridor area. The goal of this component of the course is to broaden the range of narratives and to create new artifacts, documents and representations specific to these sites. Students will work with representatives of various artist collectives.

DodoLab (Waterloo), www.dodolab.ca

Tug Collective, (Akron, Ohio), www.tugcollective.org

Probosscis (London, UK), www.proboscis.org.uk

Broken City Lab(Windsor),www.brokencitylab.org

Urban Green Space and Organic Gardening

Developing strategies for the implementation of organic food production in the University of Windsor community. Student will work with community partners.

Green Corridor Projects

Green energy production, electric tractor, alternative urban planning strategies, public art, urban landscape transformation, corporate sponsorship, the electric motorcycle, greenhouse design, and fundraising.

A course with real results!

01-27-385-01

Green Corridor Project Room: 135 LeBel Building

University of Windsor, Ontario

Lecture/Lab: Tuesday / Thursdays 4 – 9:50 PM

Contact: Rod Strickland, School of Visual Arts,

strickl@uwindsor.ca www.greencorridor.ca

The Window Farms are almost complete!

March 5th, 2010, 8:24 pm

The hydroponic window farm is almost complete. I’ve painted the bottles and installed a row of three bottles in order to test the pump system and the structural integrity of the structure.

So far there are no leaks, it’s holding up well and the water is flowing properly. I used weeds found outside to put in the clay pellets until we get plants.

Next, the team will be assessing what works within the design and move on to complete the rest of the farm, including: getting plants, hydroponic solution and possibly a temporary light system in order to keep plants alive in their current locaiton.

Green Corridor Intersession Class

June 4th, 2009, 6:24 pm

For the first time this spring, the Green Corridor course is being offered during intersession. Headed by professors Rod Strickland, Justin Langlois and artist Noel Harding, the course gives students the opportunity to be a part of an ongoing initiative to raise environmental and ecological awareness of North America’s busiest international corridor.

With approximately 60 students, this is the largest class in the course’s five-year history. Students from all disciplines, including business, engineering, visual art, drama, communications, social work and others, contribute their knowledge and experiences in a practical, hands-on way.

Students are working in teams according to their interests and specialties. With coursework involving tasks that range from planning, researching, and writing, to working with a range of regional, national, and international artists as part of the Open Corridor Festival. Involvement in the Green Corridor for the students is often more like working for a non-profit organization than being in a traditional class.

The intersession course lasts only six weeks, however students meet at the LeBel building on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. The June 18 opening of the Open Corridor Festival marks the end of the semester and many students are putting in numerous hours outside of class time in order to prepare.

The Green Corridor class will carry on in the fall semester and will require a new creative and energetic batch of students to continue the work started by this intersession class and the students who came before. It is open to students enrolled in semester five and above, as well as graduate students, and can be found in the SIS menu under Visual Arts. For more information, contact Professor Rod Strickland at strickl@uwindsor.ca.

Green Thumb Fair

April 22nd, 2009, 4:44 pm

GREEN THUMB Saturday March 21, 2009

Hosted by the Art Gallery of Windsor, the Green Thumb Fair was a day of discussions and presentations on green building, sustainability and naturalized
gardening.

Students from the Green Corridor class presented an interactive display to AGW visitors that included; the Green Corridor animation video introducing projects and initiatives, a fully functional stationary bicycle that powered a light bulb as well as education and information on the construct of seed bombs, which were prepared and available for distribution.

Seed Bombs; The weapon of choice for guerrilla gardeners everywhere. Seed bombs are compressed balls of soil and compost that have been impregnated with wildflower seeds. Jettisoned onto barren, abandoned, or otherwise inhospitable land, seed bombs are a covert-and OK way of protesting and combating urban sprawl.