7
Rene Valner
My story: I have been educated in computer sciences, natural sciences and architecture. I have been close to nature since early childhood, spending most of my time outdoors, hiking, exploring and traveling
What I have been learned? In computed sciences I learned that seemingly complicated systems are made of simple, modular components. As well as one physical structure is able to perform many different tasks, and what surprised me most: all those tasks can happen at the same time.
What surprised me in nature sciences was that in a way it’s very similar system to ones we were dealing in computer sciences, made on many small units with separate tasks, probably just more complicated and duplicated. The biggest difference from my previous knowledge was that in nature there is no waste, every end is beginning for something new.
Studying architecture taught me how to create and design systems on my own and the importance of using closed loops, where the end of one cycle is input for next.
First time I recognized the importance of closed loops was when we made company which was dealing with all kind of ecological building materials: straw bales, clay- and lime plasters, rammed earth and so on. I was amazed about how little we know about industrial ‘take, make, dispose’ materials, and how easy is to replace those unknown origin and content materials with ‘alternative’ building materials and technologies which are borrowed from nature and given back to later.
Link: Wikipedia Circular economy
Looking for and recognizing closed loops in houses we find at least three of them. First the materials and physical body of building. Second the use of water, growing food and utilizing human waste. Third energy production and use.
In the current chapter you will learn to recognize and design closed loops in your household.
First loop: use of sustainable, reusable and recyclable materials combined with flexible, modular design of houses which allows easy modifications.
If we look for sustainable materials it makes sense to use traditional vernacular architecture as a source. Technologies and materials used for centuries are harvested locally, need minimum energy to process, are reusable and recyclable. The way materials are used bears strong cultural identity and local knowledge. Quite often in Estonian vernacular architecture you can find houses where logs used for construction are second- or even thirdhand.
Most of the natural materials: stone, earth, clay, lime, sand, wood, straw, reed, natural paints and oils – used in traditional architecture are healthy to humans and pose no risk to environment, if they find their way back to nature.
Modularity of buildings
Despite of modern inventions our basic needs for living remain quite the same. We need healthy, comfortable and efficient shelter from elements, some privacy, some space for socializing, space for living and working. To become more house specific we need comfortable space to sleep, eat and work.