New Blog.

Chelsea and Lauren's new blogspot

Chelsea and Lauren have spent the week out of school and at CUBE. They have created this great new blog about sustainability. check it out
here at http://thefuturesenvironment.blogspot.com/

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Interview on Sustainable Developments by Anna Fielding

WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON 'SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTS'? SHOULD BUILDINGS BE RENOVATED BUT REMAIN SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME OR IS THE RECONCEPTION OF THE INTERIOR SPACE SOMETHING YOU DISAPPROVE OF?

SAVE holds that from a sustainable point of view, the retention and reuse of historic buildings is essential - it results in the retention of embodied energy, the retention of precious historic fabric, which tells the tale of our past and roots us in a sense of place, and is more likely to result in the use of local skills and materials, thereby putting the profits of development into local hands and thence the local economy consequently helping create places that are economically sustainable.


The "reconception" of interior space depends entirely on the building. Historic buildings that are Grade I and II* listed (the top 6%) should only be approached with the very lightest touch, seeking to restore rather than enhance or alter. Buildings that are listed at Grade II give more flexibility but should not suffer the indignity of having their interiors ripped out to provide a space that might only be relevant or useful for thirty years. Instead, architects should use their imagination to work with the existing fabric to produce solutions that reconfigure internal space through careful intervention. Removing the interior of a listed
building then poses the philosophical question of precisely what does that building represent and what is the point of preservation. With unlisted buildings there is of course greater scope for alteration, but the question of originality remains (and of course, estate agents use "period features" as a major selling point)

IF SUCH DEVELOPMENTS WERE CONSIDERED A VIABLE SOLUTION TO THE CURRENT PROBLEMS IN PATHFINDER AREAS AND SO NEGATE THE NEED FOR WIDESPREAD DEMOLITION WOULD YOU BE BEHIND IT OR OPPOSE IT?

The Pathfinder areas demand a wide range of solutions over and above demolition, which is presently the predominant approach - a hangover from the 1960s and 70s - coincidentally many of the characters now involved in Pathfinder cut their teeth in housing departments in this period. Such developments could be considered as one tool in the box, and a helpful one at that, provided there is the market for such developments and that they do not alienate local people and the existing communities. Quite often in the Pathfinder areas, the key public interest in the areas is the exterior of the buildings and the familiar appearance of the streets and street patterns.

HOW BIG A FACTOR IS ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN YOUR OPPOSITION TO THE PATHFINDER PROPOSALS?

Conservation of historic buildings and environmental sustainability go hand in hand. In SAVE's first report on 1975 we wrote "Buildings - and not just historic ones - represent energy, labour and materials, which either cannot be replaced or can only be replaced at enormous cost. The fight to save particular buildings is not the fancy use of some impractical antiquarian.
It is part of a battle for the sane use of all our resources". This remains as true now as it was then: the massive waste of embodied energy involved in demolition, and the use of CO2 intensive materials in new build: for example modern cement production requires much higher temperatures than historic cements. Once the argument for retention is won, key is show how these buildings can be retrofitted to ensure that they are environmentally efficient in their operation: shared walls within the terraces ensure a degree of efficiency, but much more can be done

DO YOU WISH, ON THE WHOLE, THAT THIS OPTION HAD BEEN GIVEN MORE CONSIDERATION AND HAD MORE OF A ROLE TO PLAY IN THE PATHFINDER SCHEMES?

Originally Pathfinder was intended as a holistic rehabilitation programme but somewhere along the line, a civil servant inserted the words "mass demolition", with dreadful consequences for communities and their heritage. The Pathfinders have proven to be doggedly determined in the face of stiff resistance from local and national organisations, in spite of positive suggestions on alternative strategies for dealing with the problems having been put forward. Pathfinder is looking for big solutions for big problems, whereas the problems need to be micromanaged with a range of careful interventions, from proper policing to build confidence in areas, proper servicing of the areas to help change perceptions of the areas, and delicate management of the problems faced by the communities, discussing with them the best way forward, knitting back their areas into the urban fabric, rather than moving them out and putting the problems somewhere else. From the outset demolition should only ever have been a last resort - instead it became the first port of call, and only now are the Pathfinders starting to consider alternative options.

P.S. we also have lots of images of the areas including aerial shots

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Pathfinder Schemes Report by Anna Fielding

HMRI (Housing Market Renewal Initiative) Pathfinder Schemes:

The government’s plan to demolish terraced housing in the North and Midlands in order to make way for extensive redevelopment of deprived areas is a scheme which has met with widespread criticism. Although a combination of demolition, new build and renovations there is criticism that not enough renovation is included and that people have not learned the lessons of the past i.e. with the slum clearances of the 60s and 70s. The ‘sustainability’ often mentioned in connection with Pathfinder schemes refers to sustaining an active economy and housing market in these areas and making changes in the housing stock but does not take the saving of resources and environmentally friendly methods of repair, renovation and modernisation into account.


The following areas and Pathfinders are involved:
•New Heartlands Partnership – Merseyside (including Dingle, Arundel, Picton, Smithdown, Kensington, Tuebrook, Everton, Breckfield, Anfield, Vauxhall, Melrose and County);
•Manchester and Salford Housing Market Renewal;
•Transform South Yorkshire;
•Gateway - Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire;
•RENEW North Staffordshire
Together with the involvement of English Partnerships and Local Councils.

Surely, with sustainable development gaining importance in architecture and in other aspects of people’s everyday lives it is a wasted opportunity to not embrace sustainable, green, development in the Pathfinder schemes. The figures quoted give an idea of the extent of demolition involved in the projects, although the figures are sketchy. For New Heartlands in Merseyside there is to be the demolition of 19,758 housing units with the construction of 18,161 in their place. One reason stated for the decision to demolish rather than innovatively conserve and reuse is that low levels of owner occupied housing in these areas and lots of private landlords contributes to the decline of the housing market in these areas. But does the demolition of houses make a difference to this? Through compulsory purchase orders and renovation of the existing terraces the demographic of the area can change through private ownership and housing association involvement without the need for actual demolition.

The problem with this approach is that it does not conserve materials and resources and actually costs more than renovation of the current housing stock. Many are suspicious of the motives behind the demolition and redevelopment of these areas in that they may be a way of developers ‘cashing in’.

The government argue that the residents in these areas are behind the plans and say of the housing affected that:

‘…they are now unfit as homes for families who deserve better. The campaigner, conservationists and critics don’t have to deal with 125 year only properties that are damp, decaying and expensive to heat – let alone with collapsed Victorian sewerage systems, now overridden with rats.’
(Hansard Online 2007)

This may be the case for some but research shows that not everyone is behind the schemes. The following links are useful when looking into this issue and should help to form an opinion for those of you who wish. The issue is certainly not clear cut but, in my view, it is one which has not been given enough consideration at a time when it should be a priority to do so.

Some of the issues are also addressed in the following interview response from SAVE Britain’s Heritage. Other Patherfinder bodies, English Partnerships and the Sustainable Development Commission were also approached as part of this research but have so far declined to comment.

Their websites and others are interesting to look at and give an idea of the arguments and alternatives involved. Of particular note are the schemes where sustainable development has been included such as the prominent Park Hill flats in Sheffield which are to be reconceived by Urban Splash and the potential of other housing stock such as Urban Splash’s 3 Towers Project.

A balanced argument: http://www.nobodysparfit.wordpress.com/2006/06/. Scroll down blog page to article.

The Merseyside Pathfinder: http://www.newheartlands.co.uk/

Save Britain’s Heritage: http://www.savebritainsheritage.org/main.htm

Goole Action Group (a campaign group trying to save terraced housing in their local area in a situation akin to that people in Pathfinder areas are confronted with): http://www.goole-action-group.org.uk/page/welcome

Urban Splash: www.3towers.co.uk
Their involvement with Park Hill, Sheffield: http://www.englishpartnerships.co.uk/page.aspx?pointerid=88B8A0A579114CD8AAC7E07B4E0A8F52

The Sustainable Development Commission: are some of the projects which claim to be environmentally sustainable really so? The Government’s independent watchdog on sustainable development: http://www.sd-commission.org.uk

English Partnerships and details on the individual Pathfinder bodies: http://www.englishpartnerships.co.uk/hmrpaddresses.htm

Details of the government debate on the issue can be found at http://www.parliament.uk/publications/hansard.cfm or http://www.theyworkforyou.com

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Earthships - Normandy

Earthship Program in Normandy FranceApril-May 2007

This spring an experienced Earthship crew will be starting construction on Europe's first residential Earthship to have a building permit. The total project consists of enclosing the structural shell of the building; tire walls, roof beams, insulation, greenhouse framing, and glazing. The water and power systems will also be installed enabling the project owners to utilize solar power and the water caught on site for further construction purposes. Greywater planters will be constructed, interior walls will be built, and with time permitting finishes will be started.



Follow this link for more interesting facts about The Earthship! http://www.earthshipbiotecture.com/
and find view more images on www.youtube.com







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Comments from Green Modernism's Feedback wall - Come and get involved in the debate!

Green Politics? Gaining Popularity? Do they really mean it? We need them to!

We need to move away from thinking that sustainability means sacrificing style, architecture and comfort.

It's a shame that the majority of us will only 'Go Green' when its too late.

Our profession (Architecture) should have the confidence to insist that our clients and contractors go down the more sustainable route.

Its nice to see ideas for new better houses, but the vast majority of us live in the existing housing stock. My ground floor flat has high Victorian ceilings, huge sash wondows and a very efficient chimney that empties most of the warm air onto the roof! What can be done? Nobody is going to pull these places down and re-build them!

The government need to make it impossible for us not to be green. Until then people will always choose the cheaper, easier and quicker option.

You want a green house? Paint it!

The human species is the cancer of this world. I hope in 20/30 years from now everyone in this world still has a future.

I understand and agree but I have a car and 3 computers and a warm house - how can I be converted?!

I do not think that modern sustainable architecture need be glass, steel and concrete. How can we maintain a feeling of beauty and nature in sustainable homes?

I used to have a tree house but it got cut down... I'd love to live in one though.


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CUBE's Free Balloon Giveaway!

Come to the last day of Green Modernism and take home FREE helium balloons!


CUBE showcases a range of exciting and cutting-edge projects by artists, designers and architects of national and international significance committed to sustainable research. Through Green Modernism, CUBE aims to create a diverse and visually stunning array of exhibitions housed within our four galleries that explore, document and portray topical debates surrounding this issue.

Through an exciting and diverse range of media-installations Green Modernism asks: what does the future hold for us? And how we can all contribute to living in a greener more sustainable existence?

To continue this theme we are giving away helium balloons that were part of the Sustainable Soundscapes exhibition in Gallery Two. Come down to the exhibition on Saturday 26th May and leave with a balloon of your choice courtesy of CUBE!

SATURDAY 26TH MAY 2007 12 - 5:30PM

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Lotte Karlsen's 'Off-Centre', 2006

Off-Centre by Lotte Karlsen (2006) - Currently exhibited as part of the Urban Growth installation in Green Modernism at CUBE Gallery.





Lotte Karlsen's 'Off-Centre' range of tableware was developed through the 'GoGlobal: Thailand programme.' Under this umbrella, a three month research residency entitled 'Massclusivity' enabled her to collaborate with industry and craftspeople in the hill tribe region of Chiang Mai.

The remit of 'GoGlobal: Thailand' is to address the sustainability of the region and its people, economically, socially and environmentally (both the natural and the built environment). This was dealt with here through the theme 'Massclusivity' - a term used to describe medium production with exclusivity. This is a burgeoning high end market which is ideally suited to small scale innovative and custome creativity. The project sought to forge working relationships which would make this market availiable to the traditional craftspeople of the area.


Although the production of a new product was not a necessary outcome for this scheme, the success of her collaborations led to the production of the 'Off-Centre' range of tableware shown here. This collaboration with local industry and craftspeople has laid firm groundwork for future sustainable production and distribution of 'Massclusive' products by the people of the region.


During her three month stay, Karlsen built a strong personal relationship with the region, developing a deep empathy and understanding for the people, their culture and skills. With this came an attendant desire to male certain that her work will continue to benefit the region and contribute to its sustainable future.

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