Blog Prompt 8 Response
Response to Goal 7- Angie, Anthony, Laura- Honors presentation
Presentation Points
• Bring environmental sustainability to Minneapolis slums
• Increased need for low income housing
o Lack of development projects, no one wants proposed low income housing nearby, redevelopment projects
o If left unsolved
• Overcrowding etc
• Natural environment in crisis
o 30% of species have been lost
o Current design practices work against sustainability, mainly due to materials used and emissions
o Propositions
• Replacement materials
• Go green
• Lower energy cost, increase well being of occupants, reduce footprint
• Ex of successes
o Federal Reserve Bank Minneapolis
o S.C. Johnson Company Headquarters
• CHEAP
o Near North Apartments, Chicago
• Drainwater system, huge water savings
o Traugott Terrace Apartments
• Natural lighting, water conserved etc
• Water conservation
• Lower energy cost
• Renovate low income housing units to increase sustainability
• Riverside Plaza- low income housing
1. Install water re-use systems
2. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs
3. Install vertical recycling chutes
4. Replace windows with high efficiency triple paned glass
5. Replace deteriorating colored panels with new wood panels
6. Paint dirty concrete to white
7. Utilize passive-solar energy
8. Apply energy star roof systems to reduce solar absorption
9. Install energy star appliances
10. Replace old HVAC system with energy star certified system
11. KONE elevators with gearless traction- use less energy
Above is the outline of the notes I took during the honors presentation, presented by Angie, Anthony and Laura, pertaining to goal 7- to Ensure environmental sustainability. They chose to focus on creating sustainable living for low income housing, particularly the Riverside Plaza in Minneapolis.
I responded very well to this presentation as it was very specific in what they were trying to achieve. I think they thought through the problem in front of them and developed a reasonable, attainable and coveted response. The found a need and filled it. I appreciate their choice and I think it was noble to point out that the problems that need to be addressed are occurring in our own back yard.
I guess I have a skewed perception of this particular goal as it is the same one I chose for my presentation. However, I am going to suggest the same thing that was suggested to me by my TA: Perhaps a few suggestions of more proactive solutions as opposed to reactive solutions. This, in fact, is exactly what was suggested to me by Jeff, however, I found it to be very helpful and eye opening. The problem really isn’t in the products we buy, or the ways they are produced, the problem is in the lifestyle choices and societal norms of today. Why can’t we be more open to using less technology on a day to day basis and living a more simplified existence in order to save the environment we live in for future generations? It is a bug question, and not easily tackled, but if simplicity is preached from the beginning in children’s lives, the solution could grow. A lofty solution, yes, but the only true one. Rather than combating ourselves, our habits, with new technologies and solutions, why not change ourselves? Even the slightest change could make a difference.