Guest Lecturer on Sustainability

Last week we had a guest lecturer in from Dalhousie University, the College of Sustainability.

The two hour lecture was scheduled to substitute my last class of the day, so by the time I dragged my feet in I was fully expecting a rehash of An Inconvenient Truth. Instead, Professor Steven Mannell succeeded in not only stimulating my midterm-bloated brain, but also made me a little homesick for all things Eastern Canadian.

After a brief anecdote about buying eggs at the grocery store (being aware of where products come from, ethical issues [i.e. how the chicken is treated], mileage to get to said grocery store, packaging...etc.), Professor Mannell turned to the field of architecture and design, and how the considerations taken into account when buying eggs at the grocery store could be applied when designing.

It was a lot to take in. Basically, I got that being environmentally-friendly is not simple, but with enough initiative, is doable.

He touched on some really great new concepts that I've never heard of. Great things such as "Ball Former" Technology, which is recycled content, molded into a ball, and placed strategically within concrete slab to reduce the amount of concrete used, while simultaneously reducing dead weight.

He also talked about sustainable communities...

Solar-Powered Community: Drake Landing, Okotoks, Alberta

And other off-the-grid communities...

Drop City, Colorado

Dome Housing, Drop City, Colorado

It was an intriguing two hours, especially after Professor Mannell proposed that Manhattan could be a prime example of a sustainable community... Why? Everybody walks everywhere.

It's not even midterms yet.

As reading week comes closer and closer, so does the assignment pile grow higher and higher. My plans for these treasured 9 days include sleeping in, a drive to the coast, and slaving over a hot Revit.

This summer, the new Research and Education Building is being built up in Wells Gray Provincial Park. All us first years are to propose a design, "Beautifully simple. Like an iPod," my professor says, and the winner will not only gain the distinction of having it built, but also the grand prize of $5000. It's quite a motivation.

If you've ever been to Wells Gray, you'll know it's incredibly beautiful. For those of you that haven't, well I'm doing my part for the Tourist Board.

The mountains are covered in pine so thick, it amazes me you can even see moose! But moose we did see on the class' field trip a few weeks ago. It was a day-long event of hiking through snow to see the building site and getting an idea of how different this site really is and the challenges that come with it.

I'll keep plugging away at it, but another visit to the site (and neighbouring waterfalls) wouldn't hurt. As part of the design process, of course.