Trash to Treasure Winner
“Trash to Treasure” attracted a lot of very positive, engaging and creative concepts on how we can reuse materials to create something useful and beautiful. We would like to thank everyone who took part in this competition, but now on with the winners!
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Congratulations to Sarah Crowley (http://sararchitecture.blogspot.com/)
Her concept of recycling toilet parts was original, witty, versatile and fully considered- please take time to look carefully at the extra boards she has provided us with below to get an even fuller idea of the project. And perhaps someday we will all be living in porcelain cities!
Here is what Sarah has to say about the concept.…
For centuries, the American Indian’s form of sustainability has been to use every single part of the buffalo. In the same way, I have chosen to use every part of the toilet… effectively creating no waste from… waste!!
Upon many visits to demolition yards I noticed that the countless discarded sanitary fittings could be something of an untapped building resource. They are white and shiny, with inherent designerly curves and a non-porous surface (once disinfected of course). These everyday sculpted modules can be applied to sustainable building in a plethora of ways; from petal-like “loo-ver” facade systems, planter box cisterns (excellent for thermal mass and growing your vegetables in), and water-filtering toilet bowl walls that resemble water-droplets.
Once the toilet has been broken down into its separate components, they take on a new life. I was surprised to discover that toilets (of all things) can serve as remarkably functional and surprisingly attractive building materials that are appropriate for varying climates.
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Honourable mentions
From amongst the great entries we received we have chosen two projects as honourable mentions, for their creativity, innovation, and positive attitude towards reusing materials.
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Design Team:
Vance Fok, M.Arch Carleton University, currently in Ottawa.
And, Lisa Jones, graduate of Carleton University B.Arch. and currently living/working in Berlin.
