By: Gareth Loveridge

We would like to explain a bit what we intend to accomplish with the “Materials” category.

In the first round of discourse, we hope to begin to explore the broad range of materials and systems that exist. Culturally, we seem to be quite hesitant to explore, or experiment, with our building systems. We feel that we need to recognize this tendency, and at the same time find ways to get over it. Solving the complex problems of global sustainability relies on innovation and progress, yet there is relatively little support for either.

Inertia is a powerful force, and it will take genuine determination to turn the corner. We feel that one mechanism for change is through education. And not simply the limited time of formal study, but rather a general education and awareness of society. Talking about change and what materials and systems we could use is not enough. We need to be applying these concepts immediately.

We need to recognize a problem, and move to solve it efficiently. The environmental problems that we struggle with are far too complex to be solved with a singular effort. Incremental, effective solutions can produce significant effects.

With this in mind, we would like to introduce the first specific topic. It is both a material and system. It can be considered useful at any scale. This is truly a case of more is more - where “you get what you pay for”. The more investment in this type of system, the more potential benefits we can find. Successful trees are essential to successful cities.

James Urban has teamed up with Deep Root to develop the “Silva Cell “. The premise was to provide urban trees with the growing environment they need to be successful. This is not to say that large healthy trees do not exist in cities. There are simply more unhealthy trees in cities - and surprisingly most of them are those planted most recently.

There is a general agreement that urban trees, especially those in streetscapes, tend to have a short life span. Often trees require replacement in less than 10 years after planting. This is unacceptable. The design and construction fields have tried, and failed, to consistently grow successful trees in cities.

And sadly, when these trees are successful, they tend to produce other negative effects, such as buckling pavement and roadways. In either scenario, the costs associated with these trees are significant. If the life-cycle cost of trees in these scenarios were truly understood by more of the allied fields, then there would be less hesitation to spend more energy initially, to provide more long term benefit and less overall cost. With the current standard practices, we are in a “lose-lose” situation. It is hard to believe, but we are wasting energy by planting trees in cities!

And be sure to note that the Silva Cell has also been designed to provide storm-water solutions, that will be discussed in future entries. . .

More to follow…

Trackback Post