Sustainability

Aspect’s of human life improvement

Marcin Osiecki
via University College Denmark

Bachelor of Architectural Technology and Construction Management

consultant: Bo Riisbjerg Thomsen January 2009
Sustainability. Aspect’s of human life improvement.

Marcin Osiecki, 2009

Via University College, Horsens, Denmark
Language: English (UK)
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Note: This dissertation was compiled as part of an Architectural Technology and Construction
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 Contents
1. Abstract 4
1.1. Key words 4
2. Introduction 5
2.1 Problem statements 7
3. Sustainability in urban design 9
3.1 Cyclist-friendly Copenhagen 9
3.2 Hammarby Sjöstad 10
3.3 Housing in Malmö 10
4. Sustainability in building design 14
4.1 Building with the land 14
4.2 Copenhagen multi-storey house 16
5. Sustainability in product design 22
5.1 Skipwaste 22
5.2 Urban play – Moving Forest 24
6. Sustainable materials 29
6.1 Polycarbonate 29
6.2 Gabions 31
6.3 Grass 31
7. Focus on the future 33
8. Summary of working process 33
9. Conclusions 33
9.1 Criticism 34
10. List of references 35
11. List of illustrations 36


 1. Abstract
A wide definition of sustainability includes the design of the total built environ-
ment. Report focuses on the definition from the macro level of urban design to
the micro level of sustainable materials. Sustainability was shown as a way of
human and society well-being improvement. Idea for that thesis comes from
the project of Oliver Bishop Young Skipwaste - containers usually used as
a trash on the building sites were transferred into small swimming pools. By
gathering examples from different countries, report tries to summarize every-
day experiences on a country, society, city, building and product level. As a
challenge - to show the scope of the sustainable signs in modern society.

1.1. Key words

Sustainability, sustainable architecture, sustainable urban design, sustainable

building design, sustainable materials, environmental aspects


2. Introduction
Definition of sustainability changed many times and still evaluates. That report
from my subjective point shows topic ‘sustainability’ on different levels. It begins
from the widest scale - sustainable urban design, and goes gradually into more
detailed one - sustainable materials.
Idea for that thesis comes from the project Skipwaste (cover and chapter 5.1)
where trash containers were transferred into swimming pools. It shows direct
connection between sustainable product and impact into users entertainment.
Sustainability is a broad categorization, with no single formal, spatial or theoreti-
cal typology. A wide spectrum of design philosophies may be included. Sus-
tainability may be shown in more scientific way - like self-sufficient zero-energy
houses. Subject can be also shown in more poetic view - creating a context for
experiencing nature. I’d tried to show sustainability in it’s wide definitions, there-
fore both of the aspects merging between whole thesis.
Once seen as being outside of the design mainstream, sustainability is now the
fastest growing segment of the industry. More and more, sustainable mono-
graphs urge us to rethink how products are designed and manufactured. The
design industry has discovered that sustainable living environments may be the
most direct way to reach the public. As an example Hammarby Sjöstad may be
mentioned (chapter 3.2).
Practices such a as prefabrication and modular assembly promote affordability.
New materials and technologies based on renewable resources offer improved
building performance in the area of safety, durability and material strength.
I think modern public interest goes toward making sustainability the norm. This
thesis examines recent architectural and design investigations into sustainability
in the context of urban, building and material scale - gathering examples around
the Europe.
Conservation of a building site (chapter 4.1) is just the firs step in an approach
to design that is often termed “minimal impact”. This idea extended strategies
throughout design, building, and occupancy to reduce the effect of architecture
on the land, from the house footprint to altered site conditions, from the use of
site resources to the production of waste (chapter 4.2)
Study of sustainable residential or storage space can include environmentally
responsible materials. Renewable materials like wood are popular since they
may be easily regrown. The use of wood, however, should follow investigations
about the source. Certificate wood assures, that material comes from tree farms
or plantations that have replaced natural forests - a process that destroys the
natural ecosystems. I’ve decided to focus more on modern materials - such as
polycarbonate facades (chapter 6.1) and try to investigate it’s sustainable ap-
proach.


 Sustainable design is not centric in any fashion. It should mimic nature, where
each action facilitates life’s cycle. Comparison between the life cycle of the
nature and building construction can be done. The seed of a tree lies in its
fruit, which is the food for the animal that may find shelter under the tree. The
animal’s waste not only helps spread the seed but also may fertilize the earth
to encourage their growth. Every design of nature involves the entire environ-
ment and in some way sustains it.
There is no simple list of elements that must be included in the design of a
sustainable solution. Every design must be appropriate for it’s needs, budget,
goals. I may list a few criteria according to which we can judge a potential for
sustainability.
1. The design should consider the resources required for the construction and
operation (usage). Homes that are well insulated are all good examples of
meeting those criteria. As highly energy efficient structure is a model of a sus-
tainable home that takes into account limited resources (like electricity, water)
2. The design should promote material usage that are better for the environ-
ment. Product’s free of toxic (paint, covering materials, carpets) are healthier
for occupants. Those product’s also promotes healthier industry - which
doesn’t pollute planet. Designing a house with ‘gray water’ treatment can be
also an example.
3. Homes can express the approach for sustainable design. Therefore may be
a good example as an educational instrument. The design may highlight the
surrounding natural landscape (chapter 4.1) or provide the inspiration for the
others (GlashausEtt. at chapter 3.2)
4. The design should consider the future of the home. Sustainable homes or
products are constructed or produced in such a way as to easily permit reuse
of the building for other purposes. Another option would be components which
are easily unmounted or reused in future constructions.
My interest lies around the topic because of my background experiences on
faculty of architecture in Poland. As a student I am mostly interested in a de-
sign side of architecture.
This report was written as a part of the final semester of education as Bachelor
of Architectural Technology and Construction Management.

 Trulove, J. (2001) Hot Dirt Cool Straw, p. 8

 Folowing Dennis Wedlick

2.1 Problem statements

The questions which I would like to remind while whole report is - how could be
a human life improved by using sustainable solutions? What is the scope of the
sustainable signs in modern society? Finally, what grants the city, building or
specific material to be called sustainable?


Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3
3. Sustainability in urban design
3.1 Cyclist-friendly Copenhagen

Copenhagen can be definitely described as a cyclist friendly city. The city pro-
vides public bicycles which can be found throughout the down town area and used
with a returnable deposit of 20DKK. Those rules are similar as using a shelter
in hypermarket. The Copenhagen’s bicycle paths are extensive and well-used.
Bicycle paths are often separated from the main traffic lanes and sometimes have
their own signal systems. Municipalities also developed a special tour guides for
cyclist. Everyone can tour among modern architecture or part of Copenhagen. It
is also a way of popularise city’s architecture, healthy way of living and spending
spare time.
Copenhagen’s well-developed bicycle culture has given rise to the term ‘copenha-
genize‘. This is the practise of other cities adopting Copenhagen-style bike lanes
and bicycle infrastructure. Term has become more popular after urban re-develop-
ment in Melbourne, Australia.
Up to 32% of people commuting to work by bicycle. This is one of the most
cheapest, quickest and most comfortable way of transport in the city. Biking is
even quicker than travelling by bus on longer distances. It may bring a extraordi-
nary situations. When car parking is expensive, inhabitants driving with their own
bikes. They’re parking their cars at the suburbs of the city and biking home after-
wards.
Biking culture is also connected with special bike parking arranged around the
most crowded parts of the city. Main train station is fit out with the multileveled
bikes parking. It allows inhabitants even another Danish cities to leave the bike at
the train station and get around without using public transport.
The 1st of October was the day when municipalities shut down one of the most
busy streets for cars, Nørrebrogade, Copenhagen N. The street is one of the main
thoroughfares of the capital - and it will be permanently closed for three months.
That will improve bus and bicycle traffic - and normally it is around 17000 private
cars, 33000 cyclists and 65000 bus passengers each day. The municipality of Co-
penhagen hopes that shutting down the street will remove 40%-50% of the private
cars.
Those reasons influence into the choice of Copenhagen as ‘the most liveable
city’ on the list of Top 25 Most Liveable Cities prepared by Monocle magazine.
Copenhagen has been listed also as a best designed city of 2008. Municipalities
organizes a one-day happenings when citizens can also roller-scatting thorough
the city. Scaters are crowded with the Danish policy patrols. City’s traffic capacity
is enough to deal with all problems connected with that kind of happening.

 ICLEI “Cities Enjoy Bicycles” awards for bicycle-friendly cities

 Cykelture at [Link]
 [Link] [01/11-2008]
 According to Wikipedia [01/11-2008]
 According to POLITIKEN [Link] [01/11-
2008]
 Monocle issue 15, volume 02, July 2008

 3.2 Hammarby Sjöstad

Following the official statement Municipality of Stockholm: “Originally planned

as part of Stockholm’s sustainable bid for the 2004 Olympics the development
has retained a strong emphasis on ecology and environmental sustainability.
The project has already delivered homes for almost 10,000 people in a neigh-
bourhood and will deliver 9,000 homes and 10,000 jobs by 2015.”
From the urbanizes point of view this new part of the city has been developed
by using modern design techniques. Main principle is to face the buildings
towards the water. The heights of the buildings and the length was adapted
to keep the view and improving recreation. The central water-tower makes a
concentrated visual park - the blue eye of the city. Important point in urban
development was to keep diversity and differ the whole plot.
As the eco-slogans are becoming more and more popular, different sustain-
able applications were made. Balconies and terraces, large glazed areas, and
green roofs were proposed. Green roofs onto the buildings merging with a pat-
tern of parks.
To popularize environmental friendly solutions, public transport should be as
much accessible as possible. To reduce car usage bike lanes, buses and Tvär-
banan were implemented. Moreover the light rail line that forms a central link
with four stops along the main boulevard through Hammarby Sjöstad.
As a symbol of sustainable approach, there is an information point called
GlashausEtt. It serves the environmental demonstrations and may be a learn-
ing center for residents and visitors. It has also solar cells implemented onto
the roof. That kind of centre is a good example of popularize eco-friendly living
style among inhabitants. It’s also a place for testing a usage of solar cells (el-
evators supplied by solar energy).

3.3 Housing in Malmö

Around Malmö harbour huge housing development has been erected lately.
It is called Future City to bold the authors approach to sustainable develop-
ment. It has been made with cooperation with United Kingdom construction
companies. It was also a initiative for UK-Sweden cooperation in sustainable
constructions. The Bo01 development in Malmö has delivered a distinctive,
resource efficient and liveable place with 500 homes, commercial and commu-
nity facilities.
The high quality design was achieved through the ‘quality programme’, a steer-
ing instrument for planning and building. Different points were included in the
urban design programme. It includes even the house arranging in the way to
keep the wind out of the interior space of the housing area. Five-storey blocks
in front of the sea, further protecting inner buildings. There was also sea-front
promenade design. Sustainability has ben also created by varied forms of on-
plot vegetation such as green walls and roofs. It is mainly use to reduce the
amount of water which has to be drained by the sever systems. It also creates
more human-looking environment while whole housing development is used for
recreation purposes.

 [Link] [05/11-2008]
10
 LEGEND:

BIG ROADS
TRAIN, S-TRAIN LINES
PLANNED CITY TUNNEL
EXISTING AND FUTURE METRO
CRUISE SHIPS, HARBOUR BUS

Fig. 4

LEGEND: TR

BIG ROADS
TRAIN, S-TRAIN LINES
PLANNED CITY TUNNEL
EXISTING AND FUTURE METRO
CRUISE SHIPS, HARBOUR BUS
 A 100% local renewable energy approach10 adopted in the development has
been successful. Buildings are arranged in a way to gain natural solar heating
as much as possible. In addition, solar thermal panels, wind turbines and pho-
tovoltaic help minimise energy use. Bo01 residents are encouraged to regu-
larly monitor their energy consumption. Electronic devices installed in private
apartments are able to show energy consumption and visualize inhabitants
daily usage of energy. It can helps keeping energy consumption on low level.
In my opinion sustainability doesn’t have to mean just the newest develop-
ments. As a sustainable urban design I can treat an approach to keeping the
old housing area in a balanced way. It means protecting the old single family
housing build along the main pedestrian streets. It can also mean maintaining
those houses in a modern way.
Malmö can be a good example of keeping the 100 years old traditional houses
in a modern urban design. Satellite view shows the old city of Malmö. Marked
red point is the place where photos has been snapped. All streets marked by
orange colour are fit out with the oldest single-familly houses. Yellow colour
is used to show the modern pedestrian paths, which basically begins at the
train station, goes farther by the city square Stortorget, to finally reach the new
urban development behind the Amiralsgatan bridge.
Strong grid created by those two perpendicular movements is visible. Sus-
tainable development means here to develop main pedestrian streets and
maintain the oldest parts kept close to the monastery (museum nowadays). In
my opinion municipalities keeps an eye on keeping the city in right, balanced
conditions. Unfortunately accidents happens - like modern block of flats which
can’t anyhow fits to the 100 years old compact settlement.

10 According [Link] [05/11-2008]

12
Fig. 5

Fig. 6
 4. Sustainability in building design
4.1 Building with the land

The House in Wales project completed in 1996 is an brilliant example of build-

ing with the land. Main metal construction of the house and also almost all
architectural details are hidden under the ground. The authors - Future Systems
- objective was to minimise the visual impact of the building and to site it in a
way that makes the house appear as natural part of the landscape.
Views of the house are therefore only of grasses and the transparent glass
walls outlined only by a slim stainless steel trim. Almost untouched surround-
ing hide the house from the unexpected visitors. The roof is a plywood aerofoil
construction covered with turf.
That kind of house design can be treated as a sustainable, in a sense of melt-
ing with the landscape. Interior temperature can be naturally maintained by the
ground covered the whole house around. A minimisation of insulation material
and using a soil cover - the simplest way of keeping the heat inside the house
- can be an aim for the future developments. Of course it doesn’t mean that we
should come back to the simplest constructions hidden underground.
That kind of housing also reflects the client’s way of living. Are they a ecological
freaks or rather a fans of untouched natural surrounding? Is it the most com-
fortable plot for building the single-family house? How the plot is supported by
district water?
In my opinion inhabitants are definitely not the fans of simple, countryside living
style based on self-production of vegetables. It’s not the best place to construct
the house fully supported by the surrounded conveniences either. But the un-
touchable surrounding and the widest possible view from one side of the house
- may substitute inconveniences.
‘Building site conservation’ is a term to use when talking about the construction
of a building, since the process involves disturbing existing ecosystems. How
does the building conserve a site, when, by its very nature, it occupies a foot-
print on the land? The architects find the last damaging way to erect the house,
minimizing excavation. Their design impact the existing site very little once con-
structed. It shows an respect for the surrounded land and sustainable approach
of the whole project.

14
Fig. 7
 4.2 Copenhagen multi-storey house

I would like to focus on traditional multi-storey housing build in Copenhagen

between 1850 and 1910. Significant elements of that kind of housing type are:
division into two apartments on each sto-rey, roof storey (usually apartment on
that storey), kitchen without toilet in each apartment, double wooden staircase.
Facades and construction based on brick, wooden construction of the ‘cold’
roof, frequently skylights. Those houses were mostly 5-storey and arranged
in one row along the streets. It was typical, that every inhabitant has its own
closet in the basement. Unfortunately Copenhagen multi-storey house wasn’t
isolated enough to keep properly the heat inside. Homogeneous brick wall as
an external division was not enough to protect in winter time. Therefore heat-
ing up those con-structions was energy-expensive comparatively to nowadays
standards.
I would like to focus on tradition of refurbishment of multi-storey houses. Once
build, houses were kept - in my opinion - by brilliant maintenance. Wooden
frames can be used still after around 100 years. Brick facades needs only
cleaning by the water to keep the tasteful look. Ceramic tiles were in so good
quality, which can be still used. Rotten rafters needs to be partly changed, but
it doesn’t need to be permanently reconstructed. Refurbishment focus mostly
on interiors and insulation to provide nowadays energy level standards.
Cold, drinkable water has been delivered to each apartment. A small service
pipe was installed into the buildings and a single “riser pipe” in the kitchen
supplied the kitchen’s cold water tap over the sink. Toilets were placed mostly
at the courtyard, sometimes public urinals were installed at the staircase. The
reuse of the drainage installations in larger renovation projects comprising the
estab-lishment of bathrooms is usually realistic only in cases where the exist-
ing toilet installations and/or kitchen installations are retained in an unchanged
condition. Total replacement of the WC’s is necessary in connection with the
renovation of the building.
What can be called sustainable in refurbishment of copenhagen multi-storey
house?
Water usage minimized by the building services arrangement and dwellings reno-
vation. House-hold water usage in Denmark has declined 26% . Water sav-

ings were caused by new installations (e.g. shower and toilets), water savings
campaigns and a higher awareness of the environment among customers,
combined with a rise in the water price. By keeping just one sink in one apart-
ment inhabitants automatically had to save the water. Temporary showers, as
far as being not the most comfortable way of taking bath, lowered water us-
age. Common habit of not using running water while cleaning also brings lower
water consumption. In comparison to other European countries Denmark has
the lowest water losses.
High quality of construction materials. It means that once refurbished, apart-
ments can be used for the next hundred years. Maintaining and repairing in
a proper way create a huge savings for environment. Energy used to destroy

16
Fig. 9
 and build again new apartments can be used in more proper way. It also means
that lower amount of newly produced building materials is in use.
Laundering. The re-arrangement of bathrooms in elderly apartment buildings is
one of the highest technically demanding operations. Often there is only space
for a little, inner lying bathroom without sufficient possibilities for washing and
tumble drying machines. Ecologically speaking – the best solution is an im-
plementation of common laundry in the building cellar. Mainly because more
clothes per litre water and per kilo washing powder can be washed. Pollution by
chemicals is less and is more concentrated just in one part of the construction.

4.3 Water house

The simplest water house could be a boat refurnished and attached to the pier.
Plenty of that kind of constructions can be observed at Copenhagen harbour.
Inhabitants don’t have to pay for a plot, as long as harbour usage is for free. It’s
also a brilliant opportunity to live close to the city centre without so high prices.
Living on a boat attracts many people - they are able to create whole habitats of
floating houses or share one huge boat like in multi-storey house. If permanent-
ly attached to the harbour, houses have their own address and post-case.
Water houses and water lifestyle living is natural progression of waterways of
Dutch cities. Many such residences now seem closer to floating buildings than
to boats, and even include multiple dwelling units. Unlike a boat, those con-
structions can be insulated and supported by all the district pipes similar like
on the land. Floating houses are also movable – without spending huge effort
whole construction can be pushed to another place or just rotated to change the
views.
I was observing handmade houseboats in Copenhagen. In the part of the city
called Christiania inhabitants have used plastic containers for creating a float-
ing structure. Instead of water inside plastic storage tank, empty can carry the
weight of the small house. Sustainable aspects of that kind of experimental
structures are strongly visible. Using ‘prefabricated’ elements for foundation
means lowering the costs. Handmade wooden structures are ‘produced’ al-
ready by the environment. Of course I can’t encourage everyone to change
lifestyle in a way of Christiania.
Ecological footprint is now widely used around the globe as an indicator of
environmental sustainability. It can be used to measure and manage the use of
resources throughout the economy. It is commonly used to explore the sustain-
ability of individual lifestyles, goods and services, organizations, industry sec-
tors, neighbourhoods, cities, regions and nations. The word ‘footprint’ is used
generically to refer to human impact on the planet and can be calculated for
individual people.
The Ecological Footprint of a person is calculated by considering all of the bio-
logical materials consumed, and all of the biological wastes generated, by that
person in a given year. These materials and wastes each demand ecologically
productive areas, such as cropland to grow potatoes, or forest to sequester

18
Fig. 10

Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Fig. 13
carbon dioxide emissions. All of these materials and wastes are then individually
translated into an equivalent number of global hectares. The sum of the global
hectares needed to support the resource consumption and waste generation of
the person gives that person’s total Ecological Footprint.11 The largest reduc-
tions in Ecological Footprint can most commonly be achieved by reducing the
total amount of materials consumed, rather than attempting to recycle them
afterwards.
From the other point of view, Ecological footprint measurements seems to be
too simplified and therefore having plenty of opponents. If I can express my
opinion - it’s obvious that environment usage of person living in houseboat or
even in handmade houseboat is noticeably lower than the averge.

4.4 ‘Do It Yourself’ house

For the best examples of handmade, self-designed architecture I can refer to
the examples from Białystok, Poland. Hubert Trammer – one of my teachers at
the school of architecture did an interesting comparison of modern architecture
designed by Herzog&deMeuron and handmade single-family houses in Poland
(fig. 12). Both of the buildings were designed by using roofing felt (tar paper) as
a glazing of façade. Another given example was a temporary garage (fig. 13)
which walls were made of re-used metal radiators. What’s interesting – that
material was used in skilful way! Three levels of radiators and the fourth one cut
into two to create support for a pitched roof. Those examples may show polish
architecture ‘power of weakness‘.
I will not encourage anyone to use above solutions as the best building design.
Structures made by unqualified ‘architects’ may create an uncountable amount
of damages - into the environment or into the people who are living in. Moreover
it’s denied by the low to build without permission.
I would like to focus on other aspects of ‘Do It Yourself’ architecture. Usually
under economy restrictions, value of architecture may be created by simple and
clever solutions. This may happened in Herzog&deMeuron photographic studio
in Weil am Rhein, Switzerland. Only backyard façade is covered by cheaper
material (roofing felt) – front entrance has been designed by using metal sheets.
Lowering the material costs may influence onto the building size. While manu-
factured in a proper way, can be brilliant idea for simplifying solutions and ma-
terials implemented into the build-ing. Sustainability appears in material usage
and cost lowering.
Walls constructed by the metal radiators are a way of re-using the building com-
ponents in another way. Looking quite awkward, but it’s a way of recycling by
a minimum cash resource usage. It proofs that poles elaborate creativity while
communism (part of the history of the country, until ‘80) and it stills remain in our
society.
As another example of re-usage of building components I can describe an

11 According to methodology of calculating Ecological Footprint, [Link]

[Link]
21
 import of windows from Germany. When the building technicians decide that
plastic windows are enough exploit, they are utilizing those by sending to Po-
land. For a reasonable price Poles can buy and re-use old plastic windows at
their homes. It interferes with a look of the façade into horrible way - usually the
size of imported window is smaller than the span designed by architect. Without
focus on aesthetic poles can re-use plastic windows – with also good conse-
quences for environment.

5. Sustainability in product design

5.1 Skipwaste

On the front cover of this publication the ‘skipwaste’ project is shown. It’s an
idea project, that a skip containers used usually on the building site can be also
used for other purposes. By using simple materials everyone can convert ugly
metal container into e.g. swimming pool. 12
If you need to put a skip in the road, you must first apply to the Council for a
permit. Skip owners or suppliers who are issued with a permit to put skips in the
road are responsible for ensuring that: skips are positioned on the road. Skips
placed on the road must not contain any inflammable, explosive, toxic or other
dangerous materials. Hopefully keeping all of the restrictions is enough easy to
transform container into garden, small lounge or skate ramp.
Unfortunately, you can temporary apply for a skip. Period varies between
countries legislations (28 days in Great Britain), but basically the owner has to
renew his application after fixed period. Without approval skip must be properly
disposed of.
Skipwaste project is a brilliant example of sustainability – smart re-usage of typi-
cal element can improve human life in a great way. Extending the space in front
of homes can be done in a cheap way, by using ordinary materials and made
by inhabitants in a quick way. As a base of sustainability, project gathers eco-
logical, social and economic aspect. It also shows direct connection between
sustainable product and impact into users entertainment.
From the other hand, re-usage of waste containers is very rarely seen, It’s also
very difficult encourage people to stay inside that kind of metal box. Those who
are enough brave and didn’t posses knowledge about original purpose of con-
tainer may use that swimming pools on the public street. Questionable is fre-
quency of using that object. Container has to be refilled with pure water before
every bath. It means huge waste of water and also emptying of the container
is problematic. Ca. 400 litres of pure water is quite high and exceed the normal
water usage of average single family house.

12 More examples and ideas for waste containers available at designer’s

homepage [Link] Also map of all places where
containers are in use.
22
Fig. 14

Fig. 15
 5.2 Urban play – Moving Forest

Urban Play is an international project by Droog Design Amsterdam. It’s a

project where creative individuals from all around the world can exhibit their ur-
ban inventions. Conceived and curate by Scott Burnham, Droog Event 2: Urban
Play is a project that believes this street-level inventiveness is a window into a
new form of creativity and urbanism in the city.
Moving Forest is a project by NL Architects. Designed for Urban Play show, is
rather a manifesto for a modern over-designed centres of the city than a fin-
ished project. 100 trees strapped into 100 shopping-carts lurking around in an
urban environment blocking peoples way and forcing passers to act on them.
Trolleys were used as a bowl for plants. Placed along the pedestrian streets,
are movable in the same way as inside the hypermarket. Every part of that
urban artwork is common and ordinary – but not when used together.
The idea comes from a story about a forest where the trees move at night so
that people would loose there way and could never get out.
After the period of 6 weeks when the festival is over, the trees will be sold on
to citizens and find a new home. At last then designer’s image of trees passing
through the city and breaking in on people in hideous spots is coming true.
Sustainable aspects are shown as another way of implementing greenery into
the city design. As long as tight plots and mineralised distances to the streets
don’t provide enough natural trees, similar implementations could be done. An
idea can be ‘stolen’ by citizens and used in other parts of the city for a minimum
budget. Unfortunately also an artwork can be stolen easily. While Urban Play
event they were fenced in by concrete stones in a neat rectangle.
That event in urban context is a sustainable comment for a lack of greenery and
fault’s in urban design.

5.3 Solar cells and textile solar cells

Solar cell is a device that converts solar energy into electricity by the photo-
voltaic effect. Solar cells are widely used – calculators, satellites, buildings can
be electricity charged by solar arrays instalments. Efficiency of solar panels can
varied because of the weather or technology used in construction (more ef-
ficient panels are more expensive). Typically, once a system is installed and in
operation it requires no upkeep.
Scientists put an effort to simplify and reduce expenses of the panels. Different
gases are used inside the panels. There are companies specialised in modify-
ing the panel’s front glass to bring higher energy efficiency.
Photovoltaic systems can be integrated more seamlessly into an architec-
tural design, such as vertical applications of glass windows. Solar cells as a
façade of the building can charge the lifts inside. Expressing panels in front of
the building can be a good idea to emphasize the sustainable approach of the
place. Institutions, private investors are interested in solar cells treated as a

24
Fig. 16
 futuristic design. Panels can be also placed on the roof – the highest efficiency
can be achieved and therefore the highest savings of the energy usage.
At the 2008 CeBIT trade in Hanover I’ve noticed huge interests in ‘green’
products. There were companies exhibiting the computers and gadgets with
low energy-usage. Solar cells would be probably installed directly in the fabric
of people’s dress. Textile solar cells can be used for charging gradually in-
creasing amount of electronic gadgets around us. Implemented on bags or
suitcases can be a good solution for travellers.
Huge interests in solar area proofs modern approach for sustainable living.
We are aware of increasing costs of energy, food and other resources. Stand-
ard of human life can be improved by solar textiles. Solar toothbrush, mobile
phone, laptop battery or music player can be soon popular and recharging as
easy as plugging into the electric socket on the wall.

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Fig. 17

Fig. 18
Fig. 19

Fig. 20
6. Sustainable materials
6.1 Polycarbonate

I’ve get in touch with that material while working on warehouse project. I was
searching for possible construction for warehouse for store factory’s production.
Most common solution for that purposes is prefabricated concrete hall made by
prefabricated elements. As long as there was no demands for a wide span of
beams and expenses should be lowered, lightweight metal or wooden construc-
tion can be proposed. As a fulfilment between the columns and roof beams a
polycarbonate panels can be used.
Polycarbonate is a very widely used polymer. It’s a transparent material pro-
duced on a factory-line with a fixed width. Prefabricated façade elements can be
right away used on a building site. To provide the U-value for an external wall,
closed air-gaps are provided. Six layers of air-gaps can keep the U-value on the
1.6 level. It’s high value, but the highest allowed by the low for warehouses or
sports halls. In connection with the price of 5-6EURO per 1 kilogram it’s one of
the cheapest ways of building an external division.
As a commonly called ‘plastic’, polycarbonate doesn’t look like a sustainable
material. What if we’ll point out, that this product of chemistry can be completely
recycled? Every façade panel can be dismounted and replaced at any time.
Specialised companies can recycle already damaged material by heating it up
and changing the form. Panels can’t carry the weight so has to be separated
from the main construction.
Pure polycarbonate is almost completely transparent. By insertion of other
substances, we can control translucency of the material or create colour panel.
It gives architects a powerful tool for creating impressive buildings. Moreover,
amount of glass panels, windows can be reduced – daylight which goes through
the walls is enough to light up the building. Façade construction is simplified,
because there is no need of windows.
This material is produced in a fast way so erection of the building is shortened,
less human power is necessary (one person is able to carry maximum 12m
height panel). Savings created by mentioned reasons are important for sustain-
able development.
Just as renewability has become a interesting point for many architects in speci-
fying construction materials, the embodied energy of material is another factor of
sustainability. Embodied energy13 is the total sum of energy associated with the
life cycle of the material, from the extraction of raw material, through process-
ing, manufacturing, transport, use and disposal of the finished product. Polycar-
bonate has an extaordinarily high embodied energy. The only product higher is
aluminium.14

13 According to Chan, Y (2007) Sustainable environments, p.140-141

14 According to Bayer Material Science, [Link]
[Link] [14-12-08]
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Fig. 21
It’s worthy to mention, that ‘polycarbonate’ architecture getting more and more
popular. As an aesthetic solution which creates a transparency of the building,
polycarbonate will be probably wider used. Price of the material, simplicity and
modern look can bring interesting architectural solutions in close future. As a
façade were successfully used for a warehouses, sport halls or swimming pools.
Bending abilities of the material can create an interesting roof shapes.
As a sustainable may be considered modest efficiency of materials and budget
used for a building like warehouse. The amount of material used is stunningly
small in comparison to the traditional concrete warehouse.
Short lifespan of the polycarbonate panels should be considered. Panels are
can be easily damaged by the cars or trucks around warehouse. Panels are so
thin and elastic, that hit by the sharp knife could break. Anyone supported by the
common kitchen tool may burst inside the building.

6.2 Gabions

Simple gabions are cages or boxes filled with soil or riprap. Gabion baskets
have some advantages over loose riprap because of their modularity and ability
to be stacked in various shapes. They also have advantages over more rigid
structures because they can dissipate energy from flowing water and drain
freely.
Created by the nature riprap was shaped by the human by metal wire. Design-
ers began to make spaces and forms from nature that did not try to look like
plants or buildings, but that were hybrid abstractions of both. Known project
of Dominus Winery, Herzog&deMeuron (fig. 21) used gabions filled with local
stones to create a sheltering volume. The actual offices and production spaces
sit in glass and concrete volumes inside this shell.

6.3 Grass

Grass is a typical intervention to bold the sustainable approach of architecture.

Its structure, colour and texture build up in our mind an impression of the nature.
Interesting example of structures created by using the grass I’ve met in Hano-
ver, Germany (fig. 22). To focus on the green progress in modern development,
organizers build different cone-hills. Totally covered with the grass was an inter-
esting example of shaping with the land.
Grass as a material is recently used for covering the roofs in the city centres.
Where a lack of greenery is visible, terraces covered with the grass can supple-
ment the nature. When used at the office buildings, are the spaces for retreat-
ment for workers. Green colour calmed us down; reassure the vision after hours
in front of the screen. It’s also an idea of advertising the office with modern
architectural solutions.

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Fig. 22
7. Focus on the future
In an ecological context, sustainability is defined as the ability of an ecosystem
to maintain ecological processes, functions, biodiversity and productivity into the
future. There is a lively debate about the relationship between natural and hu-
man capital – London, Berlin, Copenhagen wants to change into the paradise of
sustainability. Is it possible on our level of consumption?
According to the Living Planet Report 2006 by WWF: almost all developed na-
tions have an Ecological Footprint (the area of land needed to support a com-
munity and its waste) significantly larger than their geographic area - they are
consuming more than they are producing. The sustainable development goal
is to raise the global standard of living without increasing the use of resources
beyond globally sustainable levels; that is, to not exceed “one planet” consump-
tion.
To progress for sustainable living in human scale we can follow simple steps15:
• Walking or biking our schools, working places (urban context)
• Do not overheating our homes (architectural context)
• Plugging out the unused devices (product context)

8. Summary of working process

Research was based on my every-day experiences while living or travelling
by different countries. Private photo-archive was extended with materials from
teachers or web databases. I’ve also used professional research made while
practical placement period. Information’s about modern urban development in
Sweden was based on interviews with citizens. Some pictures were collected
while school trip to CeBIT trade in Hanover, Germany.

9. Conclusions
Sustainability was shown as a way of human and society well-being improve-
ment. Well organized communities can implement the sustainable solution
on the urban level. Considered and successive solutions - like biking paths
on every street - are the way for progress in environmental friendly direction.
When implemented gradually, experiments of closing city streets for cars, could
become a success on environmental and human level. Moreover, the results
can be measured in the pools - if the citizens feel the difference and if they can
agree for it. Transport in the country, city or housing estate can become a ba-
rometer of the advance in sustainable development.
Sustainability can be achieved by extraordinary design solutions. Covering the
house around with soil and grass is one example. Creative usage of old-fash-
ioned building techniques creates strongly sustainable effect. What is valuable
for human - untouched surrounding brings us closer to the nature.

15 Created and spreaded by non-profit organization Do The Green Thing

[Link]
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 Environmental friendly can be also keeping end maintaining buildings. When
materials used for construction are in high quality, well maintained can be
keep for a long time. Reducing a waste in building materials and keeping the
existing architecture is one of the step to sustainable development.
Every single person should reduce his ecological footprint. Education in en-
vironmental friendly communities should aim to the global resource savings.
Appropriate cleaning dishes can be one of those. On the design level - design
solutions should push us to take care of the natural resources.
Under economy restrictions, value of sustainable architecture is created
by simple and clever solutions. Examples of polish handmade houses can
be one of thousands (mentioned in chapter 4.4). Smart re-usage of typical
objects can improve human life in a great way - like the waste containers
designed for enjoy the bath.
Solar cells as a symbol of green energy started to appear closer to our body.
Wearable solar powered devices are close future (chapter 5.3). It can im-
prove our everyday life in a deep way - we’ll be able to gather solar energy
available for free at any place of the globe.
Smart materials and modern chemistry industry implement a new techniques
in designing and constructing buildings. Polycarbonat can be successful used
in a scale of plastic bag or transparent facade panel.
Traditional and natural materials like stone or grass are still in use. The aim
is to shape them to create valuable build environment which improve human
life. Green roof terraces can be an re-treatment for those who suffer by the
lack of greenery inside the city.
Sustainable architectural solutions, design innovations are the path to human
life improvement. The base of sustainability lies in our habits.

9.1 Criticism

Statement, which i wanted to prove is rather wide. Therefore I had to operate

with general statements and/or opinions.
Project shown on the front cover as a start for all of my considerations may
look as a week example of sustainability. Size of the project and really small
amount of people involved into creating and using the waste dust bins is
visible. Moreover, it’s incomparable to the size of urban developments de-
scribed - it’s influence into the society and country/city ecosystem quite weak.
It’s something typical for inhabitants of single family houses to instal private
swimming pools just behind their home. Prepared products available in every
shopping centre can successful cover all of the demands for inhabitants.
Popularity and usage of the Skipwaste project can be questionable.
Urban Play - Moving Forest (chapter 5.2) project is rather a happening than
finished product. It may pushes citizens for sustainable considerations.
Therefore it’s influence is rather uncountable and may be weak in compari-
son to the effort spent for design and implement into urban structure. As an
artwork reflect modern society statements/wishes or needs. But the size and
influence into the city ecological footprint is almost invisible. Someone can
even assume that sculpture is unsustainable even thought it talks about sus-
tainability.

34
10. List of references
Books and magazines
1. Ryker, L. (2005) Off The Grid: Modern homes + Alternative Energy, Lay-
ton: Gibbs m smith inc
2. Stang, A. and Hawthorne, C. (2005) The Green House: New Directions in
Sustainable Architecture, New York: Princeton Architectural Press
3. Betsky, A. (2002) Landscrapers : building with the land, Thames & Hud-
son
4. Truelove, J. (2002) Hot dirt cool straw: Nature-friendly houses for 21st
century living, Hearst Books International
5. Trulove, J. (2006), New sustainable homes: Designs for healthy living,
Collins Design
6. BPS-publication 103 (1996), Renovating apartment buildings: roofs, Hors-
ens Polytechnic
7. BPS-publication 115 (1998), Renovating apartments buildings: Installa-
tions, Horsens Polytechnic
8. Horsens Polytechnic (2008), Housing in Copenhagen approx. 1850-1910,
Horsens Polytechnic
9. Trammer, H. (2008), ‘Siła słabości’, Notes na 6 tygodni, vol. 44, August,
pp. 58-65
10. ‘Top 25 Most Liveable Cities‘, Monocle issue 15 (July 2008), vol. 02,
11. Chan, Y. (2007), Sustainable Environments, United States of America;
Rockport Publishers Inc.

On-line sources
[Link]
[Link] [01/11-2008]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]

Wikipedia
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]

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11. List of illustrations
Cover credits Oliver Bishop-Young, photo by Tomas Valenzuela

Fig. 1 photo by Marcin Osiecki

» Amager Boulevard – one of the main streets in Copenhagen at 8am
Fig. 2 map by CphX
» Map of Nørrebrogade shows changes in traffic organization. Published
for citizens in newspapers, on-line services and on bus stops. In simple
graphic way shows new paths for cars and closed areas. Map refers to the
on-line pool – if the street should be kept car-free.
Fig. 3 photo by CphX
Fig. 4 credits Svendborg Architects, map by Marcin Osiecki
Fig. 5 photo by Marcin Osiecki
» Single family house along one of the main streets. Maintained in a proper
way can be used for the next hundred years.
Fig. 6 map by Marcin Osiecki
Fig. 7 photo by Richard Davies
» House in Wales by NL Architects. View from the lake-side shows glass
façade facing the sea. House looks like grooving up from the soil.
Fig. 9 photo by Jakob Findeisen
» Interior of private apartment in Copenhagen. Bath tube is connected
temporary to the sink. Machine pumps up the water and blows from the top.
Metal bottom is sucking waste water and pumping it back to the sink.
Fig. 10 photo by Marcin Osiecki
» Handmade construction of the house attached to the plastic pontoon
(foundation). House designed and constructed on the building side. Placed
around the harbor in Christiania, Copenhagen. An example of – popularly
called – an-architecture (architecture of anarchy).
Fig. 11 photo by Marcin Osiecki
» Building team.
Fig. 12 credits Hubert Trammer, photo by Hubert Trammer
» Felt used on the building façade in Poland and example of building in
Switzerland.
Fig. 13 credits Hubert Trammer, photo by Hubert Trammer
» Garage made by re-used radiators painted in different colours.

36
Fig. 14 credits Oliver Bishop-Young, photo by Oliver Bishop-Young
» Cover project and usage of swimming pool. Waste container
changed into object-happening. Author still attempts to design new ex-
amples of skip waste re-usage.
Fig. 15 credits Oliver Bishop-Young, photo by Oliver Bishop-Young
Fig. 16 credits NL Architects, photo by Scott Burnham
Fig. 17 photo by Wikipedia
» Solar cells adapted as a facade panel. Blue color is visible from dif-
ferent angles creating a visual effect.
Fig. 18 photo by Marcin Osiecki
» Solar cells adapted as cover for the bag. Connected to the battery
can store the energy in day-time.
Fig. 19 credits Prokulit, photo by Prokulit
Fig. 20 credits Prokulit, photo by Prokulit
» Polycarbonate from the inside of the warehouse – day-light can
merge through the façade.
Fig. 21 credits Flickr, photo by o d b
» Herzog&deMeuron Dominus Winery. Constructed by using local
stones.
Fig. 22 photo by Marcin Osiecki
» Cone structures made by grass and presented while CeBit trade in
Hanover Germany.

37