Hey guys, my name is Calla Massman. A little about me, I’m currently an Architecture major at PhilaU with a minor in Sustainability, I’m also vice president of SOSA. For me, Ch. 3 has really struck home in relation to my projects in class. In all my assignments I aim to create designs in which encourage sustainable practices in all areas of the project including social, economic, and environmental factors. Through research of other projects and through my actual designs, I have come to realize there are countless ways to better a building; more south-facing windows to create more comfortable spaces and lessen energy use, open spaces to create more natural air flow and low building material costs… but there is no way I’ve come across to ever make it perfectly “sustainable”.
As chapter 3 brings up, a building could be efficient and cost effective, but by taking measures to make it this way, it could compensate for quality of material and environment. Further, there is the problem of what finishing materials to use such as; paint, carpet, flooring, etc. For every option there’s a teeter totter of pros and cons; what is a better material to use once one considers the energy put into making the material, the material life, off-gassing, etc. Environment-friendly water-based paints are a good example of this situation as a replacement of voc (volatile organic compounds)-ridden latex or oil based paints, however, the lifespan is shorter while the price is higher. This is where eco-effectiveness comes into play and has to be estimated; what is effective as a viable solution to these problems and do the pros outweigh the cons?
Another point, Cradle to Cradle does not promote “fixing” what we already have as our way out. However, our effort as we try to find solutions to our environmental crisis may be our first step to the realization that there is no quick fix. What needs to happen is the replacement of the failing systems with better, closed loop systems, in which there is zero waste and carbon offsets are neutralized. Do you think it is possible to create systems such as the cherry tree (mentioned in the book); in which the main structure sufficiently provides food for all the organisms in its system, enriches the environment and supports life, and even in its decomposition (if this happens), is able to reduce into something in which another system could be created or built from? It doesn’t seem easy and it’s not something that will be established very quickly but with the eminent need for a positive change, a design overhaul needs to be put in place. Cradle to Cradle looks as if it’s on the right track towards establishing an example of how this might come to fruition.
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The world is imperfect. But this imperfection only adds to its gravity and power. Perfection; however, does exist. Rene Descartes, the father of modern philosophy, offers a famed definition of existence. “Cogito, ergo sum,” or, “I am thinking, on the account of being.” The foundation of ontological arguments, such as that of Descartes, is based upon perception. Used as justification of the concept of God, which Descartes saw as being totally perfect, the argument offers simply that we can conceive of God means he exists. So as not to cause conflicts of belief, let us state this differently. Perfection can be perceived, and therefore exists. Our perceptions suggest existence, but the details or exactness of these perceptions can be, seemingly more often than not, inaccurate. We conceive of perfection – it exists – but what we say is perfection may not be perfection. It may be that better really is best. Perhaps we can only design something perfectly sustainable by making it more sustainable. Perfection is improvement.
We find problems of fighting favorable and unfavorable traits within our current system. It was asserted, “What needs to happen is the replacement of the failing system with better, closed loop systems…” Different papers for books have positive and negative qualities and when left with a choice between the lesser of many evils, the authors chose none. In such situations the authors offer, “We might begin to consider whether paper itself is the proper vehicle for reading matter.” (70) It was found, a more durable, reliable and environmental option did exist. If finishing our homes with paint either damages our health or our finances, reconsider the viability of paint as a finishing material. Instead, conceive of a perfect finishing material and see how close we can bring reality. Instead of paint, a flexible plastic and recycled plaster product can be used as wall finishes, or even act as a thin layer of extra insulation. The material can be safely pressed on without the use of toxic chemicals. Measure the space of the covered area and the material could be cut to these dimensions. Select a color for your walls, and unlike paint, know the application won’t fade or appear slightly different when rolled on the wall. Or, if ambitious, customize a design for the wall that can be specially fabricated. Furthermore, similar to carpet installations, when one decides to change colors or a house changes hands, the material can be returned to the company which can reuse the material without sacrificing its quality. Do not compromise, create solutions.
If we can imagine a system such as the cherry tree, it is possible. The system we imagine may not be quite the one we make but, relative to the old, it will be an improvement. We might remain imperfect; even so, may we be as imperfect as the world by always striving to be better. It would be foolish to say one knows we can create the cherry tree system, and equally unwise to say we cannot, but it could be said confidently we can try.
morris9869@philau.edu
Yes, based on the design overhaul techniques and ideas I have observed in the text, it seems very possible to create a system similar to the cherry tree. However, in trying to create this type of system, many resources are required. Although many of the necessary resources are of a physical nature, a more intelligent, human produced resource is required: an extensive, innovative, and creative thought pattern. Without the proper guidance and logistics, it would be very difficult to create a system for a man made system by replicating one that occurs naturally. This means that the underlying force in creating such a system needs to be knowledge. A lot of thinking must go into the planning, construction, and the decomposition of this system--with one of the more important parts being the decomposition. Just as the book we have in our hands was “designed with [its] future life foremost in mind, rather than an awkward afterthought” (70), a cherry-tree-replication must also be designed in this future-minded fashion. It is equally important to consider the life of the materials that the system will use and create, because as post-consumer substances, these materials should be eco-effective and not eco-efficient. For example, it would be effective to have coffee filters made of organic materials that could be part of a garden compost after use, as opposed to have ones that contain harsh chemicals like bleaches or dyes that could pollute the surrounding environment. After reading this chapter, I wanted to get more involved, and I too agree that cradle to cradle is a great way to get more involved. With that said, I believe that abundance in knowledge in combination with other design components will result in a prosperous cherry-tree-like system.
The task at hand—to create a system, in which the main structure sufficiently provides food for all the organisms in the system, enriches the environment, supports life, and even in its decomposition is able to reduce into something in which another system could be created or built from—is very complex, and in addition to requiring specific knowledge, the planning and construction must be very organized. This organization will work best under the eyes of leading professionals in the field of design, and those dedicated individuals, willing to sacrifice a majority of their careers to this specific project. After these skilled individuals are located, they must collect a plethora of research and data, and after this data is collected, many things must be observed. This includes: the relationship that the materials used to build this system share with the natural world, the function of all materials within the system, and their relationship with neighboring parts within the system. So, before any site is picked to begin construction, the most proper materials must be allocated, and the most thorough research must be conducted. Two important things to consider are how the system will act in action, and the post-system existence. (i.e. What are some positives affects it will have on its surrounding environment? Like the cherry tree, will its blossoms refurbish the grounds that they fall on?) After planning for and testing all of these variables, if the system-to-be is a nearly exact replica of the cherry tree, the ultimate goal has been accomplished, making it very possible for this marvelous system to be reproduced and applied for different functions. As questioned in the book, in regards to creating such a system, “How could it be a boon to both people and the environment” (70). Well, this is what makes the cherry tree so beautiful and valuable towards both itself and its surrounding life. It is both a boon to human beings and the natural environment we live in, and it is exciting to know that with the proper resources, a similarly produced system can function in the same manner.
laffredo2175@philau.edu
Chapter three ties in the concepts mentioned in chapter two by giving an in depth explanation why "being less bad proves to be a fairly unappealing option, practically, aesthetically, and environmentally," (McDonough 70). I feel it does this in an effective way by utilizing the examples of the books. The author does a really impressive job at describing things with meticulous detail. It is ironic descriptiveness however, because McDonough sets up peaceful and appealing scenarios and then douses them with truthful facts of all the harmful things these seemingly innocent materials can do. For example, burning a book can result in chemical emissions of dioxins, which are “some of the most dangerous cancer-causing material ever created by humans,” (McDonough 68). As I mentioned, I like his ironic twist on things.
I find McDonough’s hypothetical comparison of the human built world and a cherry tree, insightful. Yet again glamorizing the complex world of nature and then up playing it against the mannerisms of our world:
If nature adhered to the human model of efficiency, there would be fewer cherry blossoms, and fewer nutrients. Fewer trees, less oxygen, and less clean water. Fewer song birds. Less creativity and delight…,” (McDonough 76).
I feel it would be a productive and much over due change to have buildings, as McDonough put it, that like trees can purify their own waste water but in the same instance produce more energy and consume less of it (90).
james7425@philau.edu
Chapter Three made a lot of sense to me. Basically, if we pack up and move to another planet, we are giving up on earth. We are capable of proposing solutions to our many environmental problems, we just need to take time to plan things out. If we design our resources creatively enough, we will be able to keep our many resources, and at the same time positively contribute to the earth. The ants can do it, we can too!
megan_elizabeth_xoxox@yahoo.com
In my opinion, it is impossible to have an absolutely perfect system, or “cherry tree,” when the framework is man-made. Mother nature is there for a reason and man cannot, and will not, ever match her. The cherry tree is able to sustain all of the organisms in it’s structure, adds positively to the environment, and allows life to thrive. The tree can do all of this only because it has not been interfered with by humans. Nature had perfected it’s systems before man tampered with technology and by default the fragile systems in which the Earth cycles through.
However, it is not impossible to improve the man-made systems that are infecting our planet, as well as all those that inhabit it. As Calla mentions, Cradle to Cradle does not support “fixing” our mistakes as the solution for the current poison that we are inflicting on our planet, but it is possible that trying to come up with solutions is the first step to resolving the systems in place that are doing massive amounts of harm. Take the book itself that we are reading at this very second. It is stated in chapter three that, “... this book is durable enough to last for many generations...[and] it could be recycled, and more to the point, it has the potential to be upcycled...” (71-72). The books reduce the amount of paper used and saves trees, as well as limiting the amount of toxins that would go into the Earth once it was done with. Nevertheless, there is one major flaw with the production of the book; it is manufactured at all! Would it not be more eco-friendly to simply give all of the students a web site at START where we could all go and read it online? Then the book would not have to be recycled, upcycled, or accidentally thrown away at all. It is more likely that this book will, unfortunately, end up in the trash at the end of the year with the rest of our textbooks and school assignments, completely diminishing the reason for which it was designed. It all starts with small items, like this book for example, that makes it possible to limit the harm that we are doing to our planet.
The main question asked of us in this blog entry is if we think that it is possible to create a perfect system that is useful in all of its phases (life and decomposition as examples). As I have previously mentioned, I do not believe that there is any way that a man-made structure can be perfectly sustainable. Chapter three provides a statement that I think proves this; “If nature adhered to the human model of efficiency, there would be fewer cherry blossoms, and fewer nutrients” (78). Nothing can copy nature perfectly! It is all about trying to model our systems as best as we can after nature and do all that is humanly possible to improve the quality of them. In saying this, I believe that there are many improvements that the human race can make in adjusting their systems to be more eco-friendly, as well as making them different based on their locations. By doing this we may not be able to copy mother-nature, but we can model what we do after her the best that we can.
Allison Umansky
umansky1557@philau.edu
"The key is not to make human industries and systems smaller, as effeciency advocates propound, but to design them to get bigger and better in a way that replenishes, restores, and nourishes the rest of the world" (78).This line sums up the idea of the cherry tree because we all want our tree to blossom and grow, not to shrink and diminish. In order for such a replica system to exist eco-effectiveness must be accounted for when designing spaces. The question should always be, is there a product out there that not only works once but twice and time and time again. If all our choices are based on this question than our cherry tree system can flourish. "If nature adhered to the human model of efficency, there would be fewer cherry blossoms, and fewer nutrients" (76).
As we make 'right choices' then adding eco-effectivness seems only natural like adding water or potting soil to a plant. By considering the effects of different materials many groups of 'pro' items can be established that outweigh many of the 'cons.' Chapter three points out that a traditional roofing system for example, on buildings are expensive, bulky, and damaging to the surrounding landscape. However, if eco-effectiveness is applied then the traditional roof is transformed into a green roof that takes advantage of sunlight, emits oxygen, and fits in with the surrounding landscape. By giving back many 'pro' qualities instead of one 'con,' the cherry tree model is established.
While there may be an upfront price to using eco-effectivness, in the long run it benefits our lifestyles to be sustainable and healthier for years to come.
Rich9533@philau.edu
The cherry tree comparison is a very powerful one. Though we may ultimatly never reach the effectiveness of a cherry tree the effort should always be there with that goal in mind.In my opinion if everyone could get on the same page and strive for cherry tree like perfection we could put an end to our destructive ways start moving in the right direction
This chapter tends to be a motivational chapter to strive for this cherry tree metaphor. Much caution has to be taking into effect before anything can happen. Is an exorbitant amount of reapplied water based paint better then possibly one coat of the VOC. So much thought has to be applied to this transition to the cherry tree, but it is a much better start than disregarding the whole idea. Nothing is perfect, not even the cherry tree, there will always be wasteful production in practically everything, but reworking the way it is done or cutting down the waste is the best start.
sovia1267@philau.edu
Humble and helpful designers will not contrast society’s limits with society’s possibilities. So they will not agree with the last phrase of page 91: "a world of abundance, not one of limits, pollution, and waste." What should be contrasted is the Industrial Revolution world’s excessive use of natural resources and desire for unnatural growth — which produced the pollution and waste which the authors denounce — with the limited use of buffalo exemplified by Native Americans. Rather than the non-human examples of cherry trees and ants chosen by the authors, I prefer the Plain Indians’ efficient and effective use of as much of the buffalo as was humanly possible without endangering the species. The Endangered Species Act and other acts of Congress were necessary to prevent the actual or threatened extinction of species caused by those who pursued an excessive amount of "economic growth." As a designer, Louis Sullivan looked at nature and could innovatively put a cornstalk into a column capital where before there was normally an acanthus leaf. The natural homes or other works designed by students at Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin East and Taliesin West learned the need for ecological and economic limits. Unlimited growth pollutes Lake Michigan or gives us a desert city like Phoenix (with about a million people which it cannot ecologically sustain).
Page 76 can remind us of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Johnson and Johnson factory in Wisconsin or Falling Water home in Pennsylvania when it suggests a "difference between an airless, fluorescent-lit gray cubicle and a sunlit area full of fresh air, natural views, and pleasant places to work, eat, and converse." Wright combined beauty with practicality; but I remember seeing the structural I-beams supporting the cantilevered Falling Water house which was recently repaired. Some believe that a few of William McDonough's designs are not as effective as the ideal he presents in Chapter Three. He admits this himself. If redesigning and recreating is in order, then human examples would be better than the authors’ claim that cherry trees and ants can suggest effective designs. Human beings should improve life on Earth and not become too distracted and waste too many resources in exploring outer space. However, some outer space exploration has created new technology such as velcro.
In the sixties we put a man on the moon. In the twenty-first century we can become more sustainable in our lives on Earth.
klein0470@PhilaU.edu
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