GDES3003 – GREEN DESIGN
CAT Blog Task
1. Had you heard of CAT before you came on this module? If ‘yes’ then please give an idea where you’d heard about them.
A – No I hadn’t.
2. Please respond to the points below. All aspects were raised/discussed in the lecture and workshop on site:
• Power: Decarbonizing our power generation infrastructure via renewables – can it be done, is it feasible? What will it take before changes on the scale suggested by Zero Carbon Britain could happen – government intervention or market forces? Or maybe you picked up on the the nuclear power options available – pros and cons/politics involved. How do you feel about this? Please explain your answer either way and any proactive suggestions..
A – This is a really difficult question to answer. I suggested during the lecture that whilst we all like to think we do our bit, most of us could do more and it’s about taking responsibility for that. But then you are asking people to give up certain luxuries or make changes to the life they have become accustomed to/comfortable in which many people will find very hard to do. I think that the changes and initiatives need to come from higher up the chain in order for them to be passed down/taken on, so in that respect I suspect the changes will need to come from government and industry/commerce. The biggest negative here is that we could end up being dictated to, which as a democratic nation could prove disastrous.
• Transport: Decarbonizing our transport infrastructure – electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered – are they feasible/have you heard of them? Air travel – is it feasible to lower it to the levels suggested in Zero Carbon Britain (?) – please explain your answer either way and any proactive suggestions..
A – This is definitely feasible. Electric & hybrid vehicles have come on enormously in recent years and I can see a definite shift in trends and attitudes towards this technology. As states above, these changes come about due to industry initiative. For example every car manufacturer has guidelines that they have to follow to be seen to be doing their bit (eco responsibility). Air travel is a little more difficult I feel, whilst budget airlines are offering travel at such low costs then why wouldn’t people use them For many it is now cheaper to holiday abroad than in their own country. That said, I do believe it is possible. Many employers run car share schemes and cycle to work initiatives to encourage people to leave their cars at home.
• Food: Decarbonizing our food infrastructure (according to Zero Carbon Britain) means lessening our reliance on meat and it’s various production methods. When grazing land is freed up, it can be ‘better used’ to grow crops (which ZCB says is a much more efficient use of it). What do you feel about this? Is it feasible? Would you personally want to lessen your meat intake in the week (unless already a vegetarian)? Does the very thought of this annoy you? Please explain your answers and any proactive suggestions in as much detail as possible.
A – From a personal stand point I’m a meat eater and would find it very difficult to live without it. By nature we are predators and meat eaters so I think it would be wrong to force this on anyone. I also work out and so understand the importance of protein for my body and muscles to grow and stay strong, there best source of this is through meat, so I wouldn’t want to decrease my meat intake at all. I understand the argument and I do think it would be healthy and a good I dec to get people eating more natural and grown foods. I’d rather see incentives to remove rubbish, processed, fatty fast foods from our diets with a focus on eating more natural products.
3. Please tell us your thoughts, concerns and/or proactive suggests on the 3x most notable things seen on site at CAT (i.e. it could be one of the specific exhibits seen, or maybe the clever use of materials with specific buildings to help reduce CO2 emissions, or maybe their Cob Oven setup/Covered social area or maybe the food on site etc).
A – As mentioned in my previous post, I did like the social space in the Cob Oven area at CAT. I was thinking of covers for the oven itself, but they created a canopy covering the whole area which is neat. I liked the way that natural materials were used throughout and many were used as art on site, such as the wooden sculptures on the walls in the outside eating area. I also liked the idea of the water balanced hill railway, which unfortunately was out of order during our visit which is a shame as I’d like to have seen that working. I was also impressed by the tech. used in the lecture hall, namely the compacted earth walls and the rotating skylight cover.
4. Now you’ve had time to reflect, what 3x things gained from the CAT visit might you bring forward into your own ideas and developments for the sustainable packaging brief? Please explain your answers and any proactive suggestions in as much detail as possible.
A – The Cob Oven area gave me a few ideas. Not so much the oven itself but the social space has made me think more about the human element and how people would enjoy the space together. The vibe of the place also gives me ideas, I mean materials, colours and themes. There were up cycled tin cans that each contained different herbs that were grown on site. I like this idea of re-using things. Also the hand made metal typography sign that said “Food Store”, as well as all of the natural materials on-site: Slate, stone, wood etc. The giant slug on the roof of one of the buildings was also very cool. In fact there were lots of natural art installations throughout the site that I really liked, such as these giant cogs/wheels sticking out of the ground.
One of the many natural art installations at CAT
I took lots of other photos which can vibe found here – CAT Visit 12th Nov 2015
7six creative 