Leading from Within : Activating the interior dimension through local materiality and ecology.

Leading from Within Activating the interior dimension through local materiality and ecology.

Alexa Ki ng Interior Graduate Thesis School of Interiors University of Kentucky 2021

Golden foothills of Red River Gorge1

Acknowledgment

I

want to thank my community for their guidance, encouragement, and support during my graduate experience. Thank you Rebekah

Radtke for helping me settle into the graduate program and giving me the opportunity to explore a plethora of interesting scholarly design publications. Helen Turner, my thesis chair, for her endless guidance, time, and patience. Dr. Patrick Lee Lucas for his mentorship and encouragement. Bruce Swetnam for our enthusiastic brainstorming conversations. Leslie at the UKY writing center for helping me through the writing process. Mr. Wendell Berry for his time and thoughtprovoking inspirational conversation. Lastly, much love and appreciation to my parents.

Thesis Committee Helen Turner (Thesis Chair)

Dr. Patrick Lee Lucas Bruce Swetnam

CONTENTS

Cumberland Falls State Park, KY2

1

A Poem on Hope

3

Introduction

5

Literature Review

25

Design Framework

27

Methodology

29

Case study site

35

Material Sourcing

49

Design Implementation

A Poem on Hope “It is hard to have hope. It is harder as you grow old, For hope must not depend on feeling good and there is the dream of loneliness at absolute midnight.

You also have withdrawn belief in the present reality of the future, which surely will surprise us, …and hope is harder when it cannot come by prediction any more than by wishing. But stop dithering.

The young ask the old to hope. What will you tell them?

Tell them at least what you say to yourself.

Because we have not made our lives to fit our places, the forests are ruined, the fields eroded, the streams polluted, the mountains overturned. Hope then to belong to your place by your own knowledge of what it is that no other place is, and by your caring for it as you care for no other place, this place that you belong to though it is not yours, for it was from the beginning and will be to the end.

Belong to your place by knowledge of the others who are your neighbors in it: the old man, sick and poor, who comes like a heron to fish in the creek, and the fish in the creek, and the heron who manlike fishes for the fish in the creek, and the birds who sing in the trees in the silence of the fisherman and the heron, and the trees that keep the land they stand upon as we too must keep it, or die.

This knowledge cannot be taken from you by power or by wealth. It will stop your ears to the powerful when they ask for your faith, and to the wealthy when they ask for your land and your work.

Answer with knowledge of the others who are here 1

and how to be here with them. By this knowledge make the sense you need to make. By it stand in the dignity of good sense, whatever may follow.

Speak to your fellow humans as your place has taught you to speak, as it has spoken to you.

Speak its dialect as your old compatriots spoke it before they had heard a radio. Speak publicly what cannot be taught or learned in public.

Listen privately, silently to the voices that rise up from the pages of books and from your own heart.

Be still and listen to the voices that belong to the streambanks and the trees and the open fields.

There are songs and sayings that belong to this place, by which it speaks for itself and no other.

Found your hope, then, on the ground under your feet.

Your hope of Heaven, let it rest on the ground underfoot. Be it lighted by the light that falls freely upon it after the darkness of the nights and the darkness of our ignorance and madness.

Let it be lighted also by the light that is within you, which is the light of imagination. By it you see the likeness of people in other places to yourself in your place. It lights invariably the need for care toward other people, other creatures, in other places as you would ask them for care toward your place and you.

No place at last is better than the world. The world is no better than its places. Its places at last are no better than their people while their people continue in them. When the people make dark the light within them, the world darkens.”1 2

Introduction

D

uring the research phase of this thesis, I found myself reading “A Poem on Hope” by Wendell Berry. Like Berry, I am also from Henry County,

Kentucky myself, so I value his work as an advocate for environmental protection and local organic farming. While reading this poem, I was profoundly inspired by one particular sentence: “Let it be lighted also by the light that is within you, which is the light of imagination.” As an aspiring designer I interpret this sentence to mean all people have a creative power – their imagination – to create healthy designs for nature and humans. Through this, I imagine the possibilities of an ecocentric society, and on a more individual scale, how the tenants of interior design can provide methods of leading from within to create an ecocentric home.

3

Wendell Berry on the Kentucky River.3

In this thesis I explore ecocentric living through renovation of a conventional home utilizing local materials and resources as well as providing suggestions on retrofitted self-sustaining building systems. Utilizing traditional research methods and environmental mapping techniques, I demonstrate how to apply ecological interior design strategies to a case study house located in Louisville, KY. This is achieved through the development of an ecological interior design framework, a holistic transdisciplinary method that blends sustainable interior design with ecological design as well as environmental and natural sciences. Like sustainable interior design practices, this approach reduces environmental impact by responsibly sourcing materials to ensure social, economic, and environmental wellbeing.

Similarly, like ecological design, ecological interior design strengthens one’s sense of place and enhances environmental responsibility by intentionally designing living building systems and applying vernacular design solutions.

Documenting my research and design process, this paper includes a literature review that is grounded in the concept of Ecological Interior Design (EID). Next, the theoretical framework further solidifies the philosophy of EID and design principles.

The methodology section shares in detail the design process and strategies. Part two of the paper introduces the case study and presents a thorough environmental analysis of its surrounding ecology. Additionally, a section on material sourcing explains how materials are regionally sourced and contains how other designers use the same materials in their work. Part three of this thesis illustrates the ecological interior design implementation, which is separated into two phases. The first phase focuses on the interior application of EID, while the second phase shares a whole building system scheme for self-sustained living in an urban setting.

end notes 1 Wendell Berry, “A Poem on Hope,” Leavings, 2011.

2 Ibid, 2011.

3 This poem underscores the importance of environmental ethics and is an example of deep ecology.

4

Literature Review

T

hrough this literature review, I intend to accomplish the following: • examine the definitions of sustainability, sustainable development, ecology, and economy; • discuss designers who see the world as interconnected and how design can encourage positive change; • explain why experts are calling for an ecological paradigm shift; and • review the current thinking of sustainable interior design.

Appalachian Foothills of Eastern, KY4

7

Ecological Mindset + Social Responsibility

11

Self-Reliance + Local “Living” Economies

17

A Paradigm Shift In Sustainability

21

Sustainable Interior Design

6

Ecological Mindset + Social Responsibility

T

he 1960s was a decade of social, environmental, and preservation movements,1 which influenced social change and experimentation in the

1970s. During these two decades, Victor Papanek, Buckminster Fuller, and Charles and Ray Eames philosophically believed that all things were interconnected, but all had differing ideologies of socially responsible design. In 1968, the design duo of Charles and Ray Eames produced the first iteration of their short film, Powers of 10, capturing the concept of scale through images that change every ten seconds. The film starts at the microscopic scale, expands to the outer rim of the universe, and reverses back to the atomic scale, looking at a carbon atom within a DNA molecule.

This documentary illustrates how life and nature’s systems are interconnected at all scales.2 The Eames considered themselves agents of social change by serving as American cultural ambassadors by working with the federal government and top corporate businesses to re-define modern postwar America.3 Though the Eames were known as revolutionary designers of the 20th century, Victor Papanek4 is considered the mastermind of the social design movement.5 The social design movement values sustainable and equitable designs for ecology and social justice, which is polar to Eames’s concept of social change through postwar modernization. Papanek’s 1971 book, Design for the Real World: Human Ecology and Social Change, Change, countered the ideologies and practice of modern industrial design of his era. Papanek considered high-end design as superfluous and superficial, only accessible to the middle and upper class, and not equitable to all.66 At the end of his book, Papanek expressed that for design to be ecologically all.

7

Charles and Ray Eames5

Victor Papanek6

R. Buckminster Fuller7

8

and socially responsible, human civilization must return to its grassroots and value the natural law of the principle of least effort, effort, requiring designers to re-learn how to design for ecological survival.7 survival.7 Papanek’s ideas are relevant to today’s world more than ever.

Like Papanek, Buckminster Fuller believed that humanity was no longer in sync with the environment. Fuller’s futuristic creative work focused on finding design solutions for the betterment of humanity. It so happened that Papanek and Buckminster toured and lectured at the same design seminars in the late 1960s.8 1960s.8 It is no surprise why some researchers posit that Papanek’s social design theory stemmed from Buckminster Fuller’s systems theory of synergy synergy..9 Fuller defined synergy as “[…] the behavior of the whole system unpredicted by the behavior of their parts taken separately.”10 Synergy later developed concepts such as nature’s coordinate system and vector equilibrium. equilibrium. He considered synergy like an ecological web connecting the complexity of natural systems.11 Fuller theorized that all living things could be geometrically broken down to the tetrahedron, the structural arrangement of life. This concept of atomic structure and synergy is prevalent in Fuller’s geodesic architecture, which inspired scientists to discover the structural arrangement of carbon 60, 60, or better yet, buckminsterfullerene.12

R. Buckminster Fuller’s Jitterbug8 9

The Eames, Victor Papanek, and Buckminster Fuller are prime examples of how social responsibility and an ecological mindset can catalyze positive environmental and social change. The mindset of these designers of the past contributes to the ecological interior design framework due to their considerations of how design contributes to human and natural ecological needs on micro to macro scales. Fuller’s theories of vector equilibrium and synergy contribute to EID values for ecological design thinking. When thinking of nature, biodiversity is essential to life.13 If an ecosystem is harmed, it will affect others because all the ecosystems are all parts of the ecological vector equilibrium.

The Eames demonstrates how designs can represent place, another value in EID. In their case, their designs represent the progression of modern postwar America.

Lastly, Victor Papanek’s work countered conventional design and manufacturing processes by proposing the natural law of the principle of least effort and vernacular ecological design solutions to combat social and environmental inequality. The most important takeaway is for today’s designers to serve as social change activists with ecological mindsets, empowering others to take personal action to live more sustainably. end notes 1. civil rights, labor rights, farmworker rights, historic preservation, and environmental justice 2. “Thinking in Powers of Ten,” Eames Office, December 18, 2016, https://www.eamesoffice.com/education/ powers-of-ten-2/.

3. “The Work of Charles and Ray Eames: A Legacy of Invention Biography,” Library of Congress, May 20, 1999, https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/eames/bio.html.

4.

Industrial designer and educator

5. Anne van der Zwaag, “Looks Good, Feels Good, Is Good,” Issuu (Lecturis, September 2014), https://issuu. com/lecturis/docs/looks-good-en-issuu.

6. Victor Papanek, Design for the Real World: Human Ecology and Social Change, xvi.

7. “Design for the Real World: Human Ecology and Social Change, 346.

8. Alison Clarke, “Actions Speak Louder: Victor Papanek and the Legacy of Design Activism. 158.

9. Dung-Sheng Chen et al., “Social Design: An Introduction,” 2.

10. Amy C. Edmondson, A Fuller Explanation: The Synergetic Geometric of R. Buckminster Fuller, 39.

11. Ibid, 40.

12. “Integrity: The Story of the Buckminsterfullerene,” (Buckminster Fuller Institute), http://www.bfi.org/static/ email/support-bfi/StoryoftheBuckminsterfullerene.html.

13. Ecology consists of three-levels of biodiversity to thrive – genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.

10

Self-Reliance + Local “Living” Economies

A

nother important event that occurred in the 1970s was the Energy Crisis.

During the late 1960s, Americans consumed more energy than domestic

oil could supply, resulting in America becoming dependent on foreign oil. In 1973, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) enforced an oil embargo banning petroleum exports and severely limiting oil supply to America.1 This event caused an economic downturn, leaving half-a-million unemployed, and forced Americans to change their conventional daily lifestyle to conserving energy.2 Fritz Schumacher, an economist, predicted the 1970s energy crisis years before it occurred and tried to persuade critical players that a global economy did not favor human prosperity.3 It turns out that Papanek was good friends with Fritz Schumacher and together they agreed that nothing big works. works.4 Fritz argued that technology, when appropriate, is good. Schumacher expressed that global economic growth was not sustainable and that economics should return to human scale.5 scale.5 It follows that from 1973 to 1974 architects, designers, and even scientists were drawing plans of self-sustaining experimental homes - such as the Autonomous House at Cambridge, the Farallones Institute’s Integral Urban House in Berkeley, California, and the Ouroboros House in Minneapolis.6 Minneapolis.6 These experimental homes found that environmental and natural sciences were essential when designing a self-sustaining home, proving that design is transdisciplinary.7 This thesis takes special interest in Earthships, self-sustaining homes designed

by Architect Michael Reynolds. Interestingly, Reynolds grew up in Louisville, KY and attended architecture school at the University of Cincinnati in 1969. Inspired

11

to combat the housing, garbage, and environmental crises, Earthships are mostly constructed of inorganic garbage such as tires, glass bottles, and aluminum cans.8 The building systems are integrated within the biotecture of the Earthships, which harvests solar and passive energy, collects and filters potable water and grey water, and grows hydroponic plants, and incorporates a black cell leach field with plants that biodegrades human biowastes.9 biowastes.9

Earthship Building Systems9

Exterior of Earthship10 12

Similar to Schumacher’s idea that small is beautiful and Reynold’s idea of autonomous living, Peter Berg and Raymond Dasmann pioneered bioregionalism in the 1970s. Bioregions are geographic territories containing similar abiotic and biotic components. Wendell Berry continues this thinking in the sense that bioregionalism encourages people to be ecologically literate by “living in place,” a system promoting sustainability by utilizing natural resources within the local ecosystems.10 ecosystems.10 Wendell Berry once wrote that economic and ecological responsibility should be considered a single practice, as demonstrated in bioregionalism.11 Intrigued by Mr. Berry’s remark suggesting that ecology and economy are “one in the same,” I researched the etymology of ecology and economy to learn how the two relate. The root eco- is a derivative of the Greek word oikosoikos-,, meaning household or place.12 While these words have the same prefix, their suffixes differ. For instance, the suffix of ecology is -logy -logy,, stems from the Greek noun logos meaning reason or logic and parallel to the Greek verb legion “to say.”13 Furthermore, the suffix of the economy is -nom -nom,, from the Greek word -nomos -nomos.. Nomos is derivative of nemein nemein,, meaning to distribute. The word, economy, is from Greek oikonomia (household management), and in Greek, economos means steward or house manager.

Based on the research on the etymology of ecology and economy, I interpret ecology as speaking to one’s place and economy as caring for one’s place. place. To contextualize economy, one must consider the setting – ecology. Interestingly, ecology and economy make a connection to the interiors. Ecology is the house, and economy is the management of household systems, and if managed poorly, the home ecology will not operate efficiently and the surrounding environment will be affected. It is important to note that there are different categories of economy.

Nature is a steward of its own natural economic system and does not require humanmade interventions to sustain.

13

Dr. Vandana Shiva11

Dr. Vanada Shiva also agrees with Wendell Berry that the market-oriented economy has set itself apart from ecology.14 In her book Earth Democracy, Democracy, Dr. Shiva discusses the three types of economy – globalized free market economy, nature’s economy, and sustenance economy. Nature’s economy operated on natural capital of complex ecological processes and relationships, such as goods and services produced by nature to sustain life, such as the water hydrologic cycle, microbes enhancing soil fertility, and pollinators fertilizing plants.15 Sustentative economies are sustained by people who produce necessities to sustain life, not for greed, while living in balance with nature.16 Dr. Shiva further explains sustenance economy as, “satisfying basic needs and ensuring long-term sustainability are the organizing principles for natural resource use […].”17

14

Dr. Shiva comments that the market economy is “anti-life,” as it is “based on rules that extinguish and deny access to life and livelihoods by generating scarcity.”18 Scarcity is defined as the destruction of living economies – nature’s economy and the sustenance economy. Furthermore, natural and sustentative economies base their currency on living ecological processes that nourish, maintain, and renew natural resources;19,20 whereas the globalized free market economy’s currency is based on monetary profits and capital accumulation. Like Fritz Schumacher, Dr. Shiva believes economics should return to human scale.21 The ecological interior design framework promotes natural and sustentative living economies that sustain ecological living processes and human wellbeing.

Looking back to the energy crisis reveals a time when Americans took accountability for their own actions to conserve energy, living more sustainably. The energy crisis proves that people, on an individual scale, can make a difference. Even more so, autonomous living and building systems produces green and passive energy, and manages water and wastes responsibly - less stress on the environment.

Moving away from the globalized free market economy and transitioning back to a sustenance economy will prevent the endemic of nature’s ecology. A local sustenance economy ensures the utilization of natural resources for human basic needs only and will not disrupt natural ecological systems. Ecological interior designers are stewards who speak of and care for natural places. places. Also, they implement the natural law of the principle of least effort22 when specifying local natural materials that are abundant and renewable within bioregions. Sourcing locally is the simplest way to understand how design impacts the environment.

15

end notes 1. “Oil Embargo, 1973–1974,” Office of the Historian (U.S. Department of State), https://history.state.gov/ milestones/1969-1976/oil-embargo#:~:text=During%20the%201973%20Arab%2DIsraeli,the%20post%2Dwar%20 peace%20negotiations.

2. This History of the 1970s Energy Crisis, YouTube (The Documentary Tube, 2015), https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=AGgx9_ljrA0.

3. Douglas Kiefer, Barrie Howells, and Donald Brittan, Small Is Beautiful: Impressions of Fritz Schumacher, National Film Board of Canada, 2010, https://www.nfb.ca/film/small_is_beautiful/.

4. Design for the Real World: Human Ecology and Social Change, xvi.

5. Fritz Schumacher. Small is Beautiful.

6. Sim Van der Ryn and Stuart Cowan, Ecological Design, 44.

7. Sim Van der Ryn and Stuart Cowan, Ecological Design, 45.

8. Patricia Leigh Brown, “Father Earth” (The New York Times, January 10, 1993), https://www.nytimes.com/1993/01/10/ style/father-earth.html.

9. “Earthship Biotecture Off-Grid Design Principles,” Earthship Biotecture, December 15, 2020, https://earthshipbiotecture. com/design-principles/.

10. Elise Moreno, “A Case for Bioregionalism in Place-Based Research,” 43-60.

11. University Press of Kentucky, Kentucky’s Natural Heritage: An Illustrated Guide to Biodiversity, xiii.

12. Dotan Leshem, “Retrospectives: What Did the Ancient Greeks Mean by Oikonomia?”

13. Christopher Stead, “Logos,” Taylor and Francis.

14. Vandana Shiva, Earth Democracy: Justice, Sustainability, and Peace,13.

15. Ibid, 13.

16. Ibid, 13.

17. Ibid, 15.

18. Ibid, 11.

19. Ibid, 13.

20. Ibid, 28.

21. Ibid, 14.

22. The ability to maximum material application with a limited supply.

16

A Paradigm Shift in Sustainability

C

ontinuing the notion of ‘one in the same’, this thesis visualizes the term “sustainability” as the Yin-Yang monad because of the two interconnected

parts to sustainability – ecological and technological. Ecological is yin, while mechanical is yang.1 The two are inseparable, yet one side can dominate the other, but to achieve harmony, both elements must be equal.2 Victor Papanek viewed the Yin-Yang monad as the representation of soft-hard, feeling-thinking, and intuitiveintellectual.3 Technological sustainability is referred to as “mechanistic,” while ecological is considered the “holistic” paradigm.4 paradigm.4 Technological sustainability produces mechanical solutions to address environmental issues. Whereas, ecological sustainability resorts to the systems thinking method, reviewing processes that may cause environmental degradation. Ecological sustainability looks to self-reliance, traditional knowledge, natural living designs and processes, and local economics as alternative sustainable solutions.55 I argue that only a mutualistic union of technology and ecology achieves solutions. “true” sustainability to resolve today’s environmental, economic, and social crises.

In the 1987 “Our Common Future” report, Gro Brundtland defines sustainable development as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”6 This document proposes a sustainable world economy that prescribes… “more rapid economic growth both industrial and developing countries, freer market access for the products of developing countries, lower interest rates, greater technology transfer, and significantly larger capital flows, both concessional and commercial.”7 17

This passage suggests a highly technical global economic solution to developing a more “sustainable” world economy. Furthermore, the subsequent clause in the report acknowledges that economic growth will require greater demand for energy and raw materials and may increase prices for products, which is contradictory when using the word “sustainable” and certainly not equitable.8 equitable.8 This commission gives the impression that sustainability can only be achieved on an international level by high-profile scientists and government officials, not inclusive. The Brundtland report further argues that poverty causes environmental degradation, resulting in a disruption of the ecological fabric, causing natural disasters.9 disasters.9 When in all actuality, Dr. Shiva writes in her books, Soil not Oil and Earth Democracy, Democracy, of accounts of how global corporations exploit people and natural resources, disrupting the ecological system.10,11 Dr. Shiva further explains how globalization has harmed nature and humans…

“Globalization has accelerated and expanded the methods used to deplete the sustenance economy – the privatization of water, the patenting of seeds and biodiversity, and the corporations of agriculture. This deliberate starving of the sustenance economy is at the root of the violence of globalization.”12

Sim Van Der Ryn and Stuart Cowan are proponents for a paradigm shift towards ecological sustainability. They claim that the “influential” Brundtland report’s definition of sustainable development is too vague.13 Likewise, Alan Murray et al. makes the same argument that Brundtland’s definition of sustainable development was nebulous; causing corporations to neglect the social pillar of sustainability, resulting in eco-imperialism, for example, the case of Borneo with biofuels.14 Murray et al. explore the historical context and definitions of the circular economy to underscore the need for ecological knowledge to enhance “naturalistic economical models and systems.”15

18

This concept of a regenerative circular economy is a big topic in the design industry today. Cradle to Cradle acknowledges the “paradigm shift” towards closed-loop systems that regenerate healthy materials, water, and energy by eliminating the conventional model of producing wastes.16 Other design organizations are geared towards more regenerative and sustainable design strategies and practices, such as LEED, WELL, and the International Living Future Institute, to promote healthy buildings and environments for nature and humans.

Additionally, there needs to be a return of sustenance economies, promoting harmonious living for humans and nature. One alternative to live more in sync with the natural world is for humans to live autonomously by retrofitting ecological building systems into conventional homes. If everyone took individual accountability to produce and collect their own energy and water, and responsibly manage wastes – the world would be a better place. For instance, there are one too many stories about how natural waterways are exposed to sewage wastes. In Louisville, KY in 2018, approximately 573 million gallons of sewage and stormwater were discarded into Beargrass creek and the Ohio River.17 Again, if more people become self-reliant, incidences such as sewage dumping would occur less because of fewer demands for city sewage.

This section shines light on the globalized free market economy and its harm to local sustentive economies. Presently, technological sustainability is overpowering the positive potential of ecological sustainability. EID framework acknowledges the need to shift the sustainability paradigm more towards ecological sustainability, to allow the two to work in conjunction with each other. When technology is designed to operate as a durable, long term sustainable solution and supports ecological systems, it is good.

19

end notes 1. There are many examples of yin and yang; however, only a few will be shared. Yin is feminine, earth, passive, and water. Yang is masculine, fire, active, and mountains.

2. Mark Cartwright, “Yin and Yang” (World History Encyclopedia, May 7, 2021), https://bit.ly/33tRoJd. 3. Victor Papanek, Design for the Real World, 7.

4. In Part One of the book Ecological Design, Sim Van Der Ryn and Stuart Cowan write a compelling piece on the distinction of the two views of sustainability, cited from David Orr’s piece Ecological Literacy.

5. Van Der Ryn and Cowan, 19-23.

6. Gro Harlem Brundtland et al., “Our Common Future,” 43.

7. Ibid, 63.

8. Ibid, 63.

9. Ben Purvis et al., “Three Pillars of Sustainability: In Search of Conceptual Origins,” 685.

10. Vandana Shiva, Earth Democracy, 70-72.

11. Vandana Shiva, Soil not Oil, 1-8.

12. Ibid, 15.

13. Van Der Ryn and Cowan, 21.

14. This article shares a case of eco-imperialism in Borneo, where people were displaced, and the land was deforested for palm tree farms for biofuels.

15. Alan Murray et al. “The Circular Economy: An Interdisciplinary Exploration of the Concept and Application in a Global Context,” 376.

16. William McDonough. Cradle-to-Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things.

17. “573 Million Gallons of Water, Mixed with Sewage, Dumped into Louisville Waterways,” WDRB, September 25, 2018, https://bit.ly/3tuOLS5.

20

Sustainable Interior Design

B

efore discussing the current thinking of sustainable interior design, it is important to share this paper's counter to biomimicry and biophilia design,

prevalent design concepts of today. The etymology of biomimicry and biophilia is Greek –bios, which means life and -mimicry means imitate, while -philia means friendly feeling towards. Designers, who use these design strategies, look to nature by studying nature's blueprints to design products and built environments.

However, biophilic designers often misrepresent the original definition of biophilia.

Biophilia was first coined by Erich Fromm in 1973 as "[…] the passionate love of life and of all that is alive; it is the wish to further growth, whether in a person, a plant, an idea, or a social group."1 group."1 Fromm explains how biophilic people see the structural whole instead of reducing their scope to the summation of parts. Biophilia and biomimicry designs are examples of how designers partner with nature to create sustainable anthropocentric built environments and products; however, this thesis values partnering - for and with nature - to create ecocentric objects, spaces, buildings, and places.2 places.2 Sustainable interior design has a few variations – environmentally responsible and green interior design - which all have subtle differences. For example, green design focuses on the health, safety, and welfare of the inhabitants of space, while sustainable interior design takes on a more global approach, focusing on the health, safety, and welfare of the planet. Environmentally sustainable design is a blend of the two by bringing awareness to global sustainability and emphasizes healthy indoor environmental quality, and interior material finishes.3 finishes.3

21

In their research Mihyun Kang and Denise A. Guerin conducted a few studies with professional interior designers to consolidate the characteristics and values of environmentally sustainable interior design, defined as… "[... ] the ability to minimize the negative impacts and maximize the positive impacts on the environment, economic, and social systems over the life cycle of the interior components of a building."4

Furthermore, these environmentally sustainable interior designers understand the production process of material finishes regarding input reduction, output management, and the life cycle of the materials.

Linda Sorrento encourages interior designers to lead from within by thinking more ecologically and sharing positive values of sustainable living with others. The author mentions that "mechanistic" green solutions are hidden and distant from the users, causing two disadvantages. First, the automation of green solutions is hard for users to maintain human comfort. Also, these hidden systems prevent users from learning about sustainable systems, inhibiting awareness about the benefits of ecologically sustainable living. This severed connection puts humans, the environment, and sustainable living at odds. Sorrento suggests moving away from the "mechanistic" view and towards an "ecological" approach to preserve natural and social capital to regenerate the built and natural environment.5 environment.5 While Sorrento argues why interior designers should care about ecological sustainable interiors and provides general suggestions; Wael Rashdan and Aymam Fathy Ashour conduct a comprehensive literature review, identifying criteria based on thematic analysis to solidify five sustainable strategies.6 strategies.6 These authors define sustainable interior design as, "the rationalization of natural resources used in a manner that sensibly addresses the impact of all design aspects on the environment."7 Of all the information shared in this study, section 2.3.2 Regional Design Solutions resonated most with this thesis. This section proposes interior 22

designers use vernacular design solutions by incorporating regional products and materials, decreasing the environmental impact of transportation. Materials are more durable in their native abiotic environment, enhancing the natural harmony with nature. Also, sourcing materials regionally supports the local economy and design identity of place.8 place.8 This research emphasizes the potential for interior design to catalyze change.

Though Rashdan and Ashour share the overall criteria of sustainable interiors, Magdalena Celadyn furthers the environmentally responsible design criteria by proposing technical design solutions to environmentally activate the interior elements of conventional buildings. Celadyn’s work intends to improve the performance of the interior components while reducing the dependency on mechanical systems to improve the health of the interior environment. Also, activating the interior dimension with efficient, sustainable building components and system solutions will reduce the negative environmental impacts of conventional living on the surrounding ecology.9 ecology.9 In order to establish healthy interiors, interior designers evaluate the following parameters of indoor environmental quality - indoor air quality, thermal comfort, energyefficient lighting, daylighting, and acoustics. Additionally, optimizing the interior building components will improve the indoor environmental quality, promoting healthy interiors.

These parameters significantly impact the physiological and psychological comfort, health, and wellbeing of occupants. Celadyn provides in-depth design solutions for each of the IEQ parameters.10 Celadyn's technical environmentally responsible interior design approach is an example of how technological sustainability can work harmoniously with the ecological paradigm.

From the research gathered in the Sustainable Interior Design section of this thesis, the ecological interior design framework fully supports the concept of designing for and with nature by using local materials. To further encourage others to develop an ecological mindset, building components and systems must be visible to the inhabitants to enhance their knowledge about sustainable living. Furthermore, EID understands that local materials are 23

more durable in their abiotic environments and pose less of an environmental impact threat due to reducing the carbon footprint of transportation. Lastly, activating the interior components with technological design solutions will optimize the building’s efficiency and improve the IEQ parameters while reducing the dependency on conventional mechanical building systems. The quality and performance of local natural materials will enhance the indoor environmental quality, explained in the design implementation portion of the thesis.

end notes 1. Erich Fromm, The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness, 858-9.

2. For a thorough read on anthropocentric, see Sanford S. Levy, The Biophilia Hypothesis and Anthropocentric Environments.

3. C.S. Hayles, Environmentally Sustainable Interior design: A snapshot of current supply of and demand for green, sustainable or Fair Trade Products of interior design practice, 101.

4. Mihyun Kang, and Guerin, Denise A. “The Characteristics of Interior Designers Who Practice Environmentally Sustainable Interior Design.” Environment and Behavior 41, no. 2 (2009): 170-84.

5. Linda Sorrento, A Natural Balance: Interior Design, Humans, and Sustainability.

6. Manufacturers, health, reducing consumption, sustainable design components, and efficient resource management 7. Wael Rashdan and Ayman Fathy Ashour, “Criteria for Sustainable Interior Design Solutions.” WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment. 223. (2017). 311.

8. Ibid, 311.

9. Magdalena Celadyn, “Environmental Activation of Inner Space Components in Sustainable Interior Design.”

5.

10. Magdalena Celadyn, “Environmental Activation of Inner Space Components in Sustainable Interior Design.”

5-10.

24

Design Framework

EID Framework by Author

25

Haystack Rock at the Red River Gorge12

T

he ecological interior design framework utilizes the considerations mentioned in the literature review to create the ecological interior design

model - inspired by Fuller’s tetrahedron and synergetic theory. The tetrahedron is considered the building block of life, with synergetic links interconnecting each point to create the whole system. Base on the synergetic theory, the behavior of each point directly affects the other points. Each point represents one of the four tenets of ecological interior design: ecological mindset, social responsibility, local “living” economies, and at the pinnacle - healthy interiors.

All four tenants must be met for interior design to catalyze change for a healthier and sustentative future for nature and humans. The positive impact of executing designs based on these four tenets exceeds beyond the beneficiaries of the interiors. Ecological interior designers establish and sustain socially responsible local economic systems by sourcing vernacular renewable materials to create healthy interiors.

Healthy Interiors is the pinnacle of the tetrahedron because the daily human activities and ways of living have a trickle-down effect on the environment, economics, and societal dimensions of life. As we know, human behavior and actions of conventional living negatively affect the environment by demanding goods and services from the globalized free-market economy. Ecological interior designers have the social responsibility and capital to influence others to foster an ecological mindset and to source goods and services from sustentative local economies.

Like the butterfly effect, the health and efficiency of the interior dimension will protect local natural places and other natural places. Again, when all tenets are met, ecological interior designers not only influence their local community, but the sustainable behaviors and actions from their community will synergetically benefit other communities. I hope to further the current thinking of sustainable interior design by sharing how ecologically minded interior designers can survey their local ecology to make socially responsible decisions to sustain humans and nature.

26

Methodology

27

Farm in Laurel County, KY 13

F

or ease of access and personal awareness of existing conditions, I selected a 1950 single-family house in the Parkview neighborhood of Louisville,

Kentucky, as the case study for this thesis. To geographically understand the local ecology and the availability of agricultural byproducts around the case study site, data was collected from the U.S Department of Agriculture,1 the United States Census Bureau,2 and the Louisville Jefferson County Information Consortium3 to generate Quantum Geographic Information system maps. These maps illustrate counties in Kentucky and Indiana within a 50-mile radius of the case study.

The previous literature and framework indicate that by converging the tenets of ecological interior design induces sustentative economies for nature and people by sourcing local materials. Sourcing and designing with alternative materials challenges designers to develop unique design solutions tailored to place. This thesis demonstrates how interior designers can conduct an environmental analysis by mapping the local ecology to locate natural resources. Creating environmental maps allows designers to visualize the physical geography and source of natural resources to create regenerative materials, finishes, furnishings, and product designs from agricultural crops and byproducts.

end notes 1.

“NASS - National Agricultural Statistics Service,” USDA, accessed 2021, https://www.nass.usda.gov/.

2.

US Census Bureau, “TIGER/Line Shapefiles,” The United States Census Bureau, December 14, 2020, https://www.census.gov/geographies/mapping-files/time-series/geo/tiger-line-file.html.

3.

“Louisville Jefferson County Information Consortium ,” LOJIC, accessed 2021, https://www.lojic.org/.

28

Case study site

29

Ohio River + Louisville, KY 14

31

Environmental Impact Map

33

Site Analysis

30

Environmental Impact Map This map illustrates the surrounding ecology of the case study.

31

N

CASE STUDY

PARKVIEW NEIGHBORHOOD

KEY

FLIGHT

PARKS

COMMUNITIES

BUILDINGS

32

Site Analysis Lot: 3,049 sq. ft.

38.20946, -85.73614

Garage Holly Tree

Case Study

Ginkgo Tree

N 33

Average Precipitation + Temperature

Average Sunny + Rainy Days

source: meteoblue 34

Material Sourcing

35

Farmland in Kentucky14

37

Responsible Materials

39

Corn

41

Hemp

43

Cow Dung

45

Soybeans

36

Clay-Lime Plaster

15

Alpaca Wool

37

Sheep Wool

16

17

Responsible Materials

I

n her book Why Materials Matter: Responsible Design for a Better World, Seetal Solanki provides many examples of how today’s designers and makers transform

unconventional materials into conventional use. Solanki’s goal is for readers to learn how others innovatively source materials and to understand how materials are linked to the health of our planet. In her book, the designers and makers are prime examples of how individuals address societal, environmental, and economic issues in their communities by simply creating material from their local ecology - a “living” economy.1 Solanki declares “responsible” is a more appropriate term than “sustainable.”

To Solanki, “responsible” implies that everyone has the individual responsibility to be more mindful of our daily consumption of materials for the betterment of the environment. Whereas “sustainable” gives the impression that organizations are responsible for achieving sustainability, not individuals. Ultimately, Solanki hopes that her work will inspire others to autonomously cultivate a holistic, mindful, and a responsible relationship with materials for a better tomorrow.2 tomorrow.2 In this section, I share material sourcing maps from data illustrating local materials within a 50-mile radius of the case study site. Based on the research of the surrounding ecology, the selected local ecological materials - corn, hemp, cow dung, and soybean - support the tenets of ecological interior design. Other selected materials - sheep wool, alpaca wool, and clay-lime plaster - are local natural and agricultural materials that are not discussed in this section, but considered in the design implementation chapter.

38

Corn Burning corn husks, cobs, and stems is the current practice of eliminating corn wastes, an ecological hazard. Apliada Vorachart and Fernando Lapoose are examples of how designers use corn wastes to create furniture, furnishings, and products of daily use.

Apliada Vorachard’s project Cornspan utilizes corn husk fibers to produce paper and acoustical panels, establishing local economic systems 18

in communities in Thailand.3 While Fernando Lapoose supports local Mexican farmers by advocating the protection of heirloom Mexican corn through his design work - Totomoxtle. For the totomoxtle project, Fernando transforms corn husks into veneers for tiles and marquetry.4 marquetry.4 Additionally, corn husks can easily be woven together to create area rugs, placemats, and baskets. Phase one of the design implementation utilizes corn husks and corn husk fibers for rugs, placemats, and baskets. Phase two proposes corn cobs for wall sheathing to finish and insulate the attic and garage.5

39

19

Indiana

Kentucky

Top counties to source from: 1. Floyd - IN 2. Jackson - IN 3. Washington - IN 40

Hemp The 2018 Farm Bill, also known as the Agriculture

Improvement

Act

of

2018,

authorized hemp farming in the United States, an economical and non-toxic material. Historically during the mid-19th Kentucky was the top hemp producer in the United States.6 Hemp is a renewable plant that puts nutrients back into the soil.7 The natural material is CO2 negative, meaning the plant absorbs more carbon dioxide 20

than the amount it adds to the atmosphere.8 Hemp fibers are extracted from the stalk of the plant Cannabis Sativa by a process known as retting. Hemp fibers have similar chemical makeup as cotton, but hemp fibers are coarser and stronger.9 Today, designers use hemp for various products such as interior surfaces,10 hempcrete,11 shoes,12 fabric,13 hemp oil,14 and hemp insulation.15

41

21

Indiana

Kentucky

Top counties to source from: 1. Owen - KY 2. Jackson - IN 3. Carroll - KY 42

Cow Dung A dairy farm located in Castelboscco in Pienza, Italy, is owned by Gianantonio Locatelli.

With help from architect Luca Cipelletti, Locatelli developed a zero-waste system that utilizes cow dung by converting it into energy, fertilizer, and a material called merdacotta merdacotta.. Cow dung is placed in an industrial methane digester, causing the dung to become odorless. The organic matter is mixed with Tuscan clay and straw, molded into 22

the desired product, and then fired in a kiln at 1,000 Celsius.

Merdacotta is food-safe and is used to create tableware. Also, merdacotta is used for building materials and interior finishes such as bricks, plaster, and tile. Merdacotta has excellent cooling abilities – perfect for hot climates.16 Utilizing cow dung is beneficial to the environment by reducing methane exposure to the atmosphere and

preventing

waterways.17

43

23

contamination

in

natural

Indiana

Kentucky

Top counties to source from: 1.

Nelson - KY

2. Breckinridge - KY 1. Washington - KY 44

Soybeans The United States is the number one soybean producer in the world. Soybean oil is becoming a high-performance, safe, and environmentallyfriendly ingredient used in paints, coatings, and sealers.18 Soybeans can also be converted into fibers to make textiles. Soybean fibers are made from the wastes of soybean byproducts used for oil/tofu/soymilk production. Though making soybean fibers is an industrial effort, much of 24

the production of soybean fibers provides an opportunity for a closed-loop system.19 Overall, soybeans are an economical, regenerative, and sustainable alternative biobased material that can easily replace petrochemical ingredients in products.

45

25

Indiana

Kentucky

Top counties to source from: 1. Jackson - IN 2. Jennings - IN 3. Shelby - IN 46

end notes 1. Seetal Solanki, Why Materials Matter: Responsible Design for a Better World (Munich: Prestel, 2019).

2. Live Serpentine Galleries Talk: Re-Learning Perspectives, Dezeen, (VDF x Serpentine Galleries, 2020), https://www.dezeen.com/2020/06/26/serpentine-galleries-live-talk-ecological-design-materials-vdf/.

3. Kate Franklin and Caroline Till, Radical Matter: Rethinking Materials for a Sustainable Future (London: Thames & Hudson, 2018). 67-9.

4. Seetal Solanki, Why Materials Matter: Responsible Design for a Better World, 95.

5. Learn more about CornBoard by visting https://www.cornboard.com/.

6. Talbott, “Hemp in Kentucky,” First Hemp Crop (ExploreKYHistory ), accessed June 2021, https:// explorekyhistory.ky.gov/items/show/108.

7. Aaron Schoeneman, “Hemp as a Solution to Soil Compaction and Erosion,” (Iowa Hemp Association , October 6, 2015), http://iowahemp.org/2015/10/06/hemp-as-a-solution-to-soil-compaction-anderosion/.

8. “Hemp Concrete” (Material District, December 14, 2017), https://materialdistrict.com/material/hempconcrete/.

9. “Hemp fiber,” Grandta EduPack 2020.

10. “Hemp” (Material District, April 11, 2014), https://materialdistrict.com/material/hemp/.

11. “Hemp Concrete,” (Material District, December 14, 2017).

12. “Waterproof Hemp Shoes,” Material District, July 2, 2019. https://materialdistrict.com/article/waterproofhemp-shoes/.

13. “Outdoor Hemp Fabric,” (Material District, November 19, 2019), https://materialdistrict.com/material/ outdoor-hemp-fabric/.

14. “The Difference Between Hemp Oil And Tung Oil,” (The Real Milk Paint Co. ), accessed May 2021, https:// www.realmilkpaint.com/blog/tips/tung-oil-vs-hemp-oil/.

15. Gibson Scott, “Hemp Insulation Comes to North America,” (Green Building Advisor, March 9, 2018), https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/hemp-insulation-comes-to-north-america.

16. Seetal Solanki, Why Materials Matter: Responsible Design for a Better World, 100.

17. 17. Alayna DeMartini, “Reducing the Environmental Impact of Cows’ Waste,” (College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, October 25, 2017), https://cfaes.osu.edu/news/articles/ reducing-the-environmental-impact-cows-waste.

18. Kris Weigal and Lee Walko, “Soybean Oil Offers Performance and Sustainability,” (PCI Magazine, March 3, 2020), https://www.pcimag.com/articles/107136-soybean-oil-offers-performance-and-sustainability.

19. “Fiber Characteristics – Soybean,” (FabricLink), accessed April 2021, https://www.fabriclink.com/ university/Soybean.cfm.

47

map sources “Kentucky County Estimate Maps ”(United States Department of Agriculture), accessed March 2021, https:// www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Kentucky/Publications/County_Estimates/maps/index.php.

“Indiana County Estimates ”(United States Department of Agriculture), accessed March 2021, https://www. nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Indiana/Publications/County_Estimates/index.php.

“2020 Planted Acres (Including Failed Acres) Reported to Farm Service Agency,” Crop Acreage Data (Farm Service Agency U.S. Department of Agriculture ), accessed March 2021, https://www.fsa.usda.gov/newsroom/efoia/electronic-reading-room/frequently-requested-information/crop-acreage-data/index.

48

Design Implementation

49

Leading from Within26

51

Phase One

51

Phase Two

50

Phase One

51

Southeastern, KY27

53

DESIGN INSPIRATION

55

FLOOR PLAN

57

IEQ + HUMAN NEEDS

59

BATHROOM

63

KITCHEN

69

MASTER BEDROOM

73

LIVING ROOM

52

DESIGN INSPIRATION Designing for and with nature.

KY Landscape Color Inspiration

53

Shaker Storage Solutions

Synergetic Patterns 28

Modular Contemporary Furniture

29

54

FLOOR PLAN D

Year Built:

WH

UTILITY

W DN

1950 1

DN

Livable Interior: 1,024 sq. ft. (1st floor)

Bedrooms:

KITCHEN

MASTER BEDROOM

2

2

Bath: 1

Construction:

BATH

western platform timber

Foundation:

LIVING ROOM

raised crawl space concrete

GUEST BEDROOM

3

Exterior Walls: vinyl siding + brick cladding

Interior Walls: Plaster

Roof: composition - shingles

Existing + Demolition Floor Plan N.T.S NOTES 1.

Remove door and walls of pantry to create a flush open space for the refrigerator.

2.

Remove master bedroom closet to expand area of kitchen and rebuild the closet in master bedroom.

3.

55

Add a wall to create two separate closet spaces.

DN

KITCHEN

MASTER BEDROOM

BATH

LIVING ROOM

GUEST BEDROOM

Proposed Floor Plan

SUN ROOM

N.T.S

56

IEQ + HUMAN NEEDS

57

furniture

indoor air quality

A 1,024 square foot of livable interior space is relatively small for hosting a large party of people. The current occupants enjoy hosting their friends.

The furniture design is modular to accommodate the guests (need for community) and maximizes the use of space.

In dense urban areas, air quality is concentrated and prone to higher levels of pollutants. Residential interiors nowadays are consumed by unnatural materials that are created by and that emit harmful toxins.

Natural materials do not emit toxins, and some can absorb toxins and regulate humidity.

acoustics

thermal comfort

Sound absorbing materials embedded in interior architectural features, furniture, furnishings, and lighting fixtures reduce distracting external noises of urban life, promoting wellbeing.

Because the case study is constructed of mostly timber (low thermal mass) and is sparsely insulated - interior material finishes, furnishings, and furniture - with high thermal mass coefficients will passively regulate indoor temperatures and humidity.

personalization

energy efficient lighting

Hanging photos on interior plaster walls is a challenging task because of the physical properties of the material. A hanging system allows residents to easily hang art work and photos with ease and more frequently.

LED lights are high efficacy lamps, requiring less wattage to produce high-quality lumens. LEDs are 90% more efficient than incandescent lamps, radiating only 10% heat into the interior.1

maslow’s hierarchy of needs The first iteration of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs was a framework prioritizing five categories of human needs - from most essential to the most ideal: physiological, safety, community, esteem, and self-actualization. However, towards the end of his life, Maslow reconsidered the framework, adding self-transcendence at the pinnacle.2,3 EID designers strive to design a healthy interior ecology to meet human and environmental needs. Dr. Vandana Shiva once said, “When you are taking care of yourself, you are taking care of the Earth.”4 I find the message from Dr. Vandana Shiva and Maslow’s framework aligns with this thesis because people need to be healthy to lead from within to catalyze environmental change.

58

BATHROOM existing

C

onserving water is key to sustainable living. More than half of the daily water consumption derives from toilets, showers, and faucets.

An average American household consumes 300 gallons of water per day.5 This bathroom contains conventional faucets and toilets. All the existing interior finishes, lighting fixtures, and storage will remain. However, a few design implementations will ensure this space incorporates natural materials, supporting healthy interiors.

Plaster wall with ceramic tiling that wraps around

The interior of the bathroom window is covered with

the entire bathroom. Walls tiling is approximately 4

a plastic sheet to provide privacy.

ft. AFF.

59

60

BATHROOM proposed

water A low-cost option to conserve water is installing aerators to existing water fixtures. Low-flow toilets with a WaterSense label use approximately 1.2 gallons of water compared to 6 gallons 61

consumed by traditional commodes.6

shower curtain Hemp fabric is an excellent choice for a shower curtain because hemp is hydrophobic and mold resistant.7 After each shower, fully extend the shower curtain to allow it to air dry completely. Gently wash in the washer machine and air dry to prevent mold once a month.

wall finish Clay-lime plaster is hygroscopic, so this wall finish naturally regulates humidity.

If a room has high or low humidity levels, clay will absorb or release humidity to balance the moisture in the room. For healthy interiors, humidity content should be no lower than 40% and no higher than 70%.8 Clay-lime plaster is ideal because it maintains a relative humidity of 50-60%.9

plants Some plants find humid environments hydrating and soak up the humidity - an ecological design solution to maintaining IEQ.10 Plants such as philodendrons, photos, and snake plants thrive in humid environments such as bathrooms.11

paint Soy-based paints are hydrophobic, allowing the coating to be water-resistant. Also, soy oil’s carbon chain and cross-linkable double bonds create a flexible yet firm film that is impact resistant.12

bath mat Natural fiber rugs will decompose if continuously exposed to water.

This space utilizes a slatted cedar bath platform. Cedar is a superior wood choice because of its natural ability to resist moisture due to its low density and shrinkage factors.13 For an added layer of protection, coat the raw cedar slats with natural hemp oil.14

window treatment A Low-E stained-glass window enhances the aesthetics and performance of the space. The pattern of the muntins is reminiscent of the synergistic connections from the environmental maps.

The green-tinted low-emissivity glass shields the interiors from UV and Infrared light, reducing interior solar heat gain. Low-E windows insulate the interior and aid in maintaining constant indoor temperature. Also, a privacy film is added to this window treatment.15 62

KITCHEN existing

T

he kitchen was recently renovated with new flooring, cabinets, countertop, and new kitchen appliances. As mentioned in the demolition plan (page

55), removing the master bedroom closet and the pantry closet will provide more space in the kitchen for hosting others for dinner parties. After experiencing the space, a few design recommendations will enhance the aesthetics, lighting, and dining experience.

North east view of the dining table, counter space, and living room.

63

South west view of the snug dining area, existing

North west view of the dining table, fridge, entry

chandelier, and shelving. Walls display imperfections.

door to utility room, and coffee bar.

64

KITCHEN proposed

65

materials

wood planks

clay-lime plaster

green

warm gray

wood

existing flooring

walls

soy-base paint

soy-base paint

wood-slate canopy,

base cabinets

wall trim, chairs, +

chairs, + table

table

clay-lime plaster Lime in clay-lime plaster is anti-septic and anti-fungal due to its alkaline properties. Clay-lime plaster is toxinfree, which supports healthy indoor air quality to prevent sick building syndrome.16

soybean paint The base cabinets are painted green (soy-based) with a satin finish. Satin sheen brings the color to life with an ambient glow. Satin finishes are durable and easy to clean, perfect for high-traffic areas like a kitchen. Furthermore, the trim’s warm gray soy-based paint with an eggshell finish is a natural transition grounding the matte clay-lime plaster wall.

eating nook The residents and visitors enjoy a meal together with minimal external noise disturbances while nestled under the wood-slat canopy because the slats break up sound waves. Also, the wood-slat canopy provides ambient, accent, and task lighting, and storage for furniture.

plants Phytoremediation is a phenomenon that occurs when plants and their root microbes remove containments from the air.17

66

KITCHEN storage + table The wood-slat system stores additional seating and the table leaf hang, serving as hanging decor. The synergistic pattern is engraved into the top of the earthen surface of the merdacotta tabletop leaf. Also, merdacotta’s thermal mass stores heat or cold to regulate indoor temperatures to enhance thermal comfort.

Merdacotta table surface

lighting The lighting fixture is made of corn husk fibers - known for sound-absorbing properties - and finished with white soy-based paint. The pendant’s dome shape absorbs and mitigates sound, excellent acoustical treatment for social

fibrous corn husk

settings.

lighting

18

67

table The table expands to offer two more additional seats.

Corn husk + Hemp

rug

rug The area rug is constructed of hand-braided corn husks and hemp fibers, which are stainresistant, durable high traffic areas such as kitchens.19,20

chair

Naturally Dyed Hemp

Fabric

The back of the chair features raw woven hemp yarn, and the upholstery of the seat is a dyed hemp fabric with a synergistic pattern.

Hemp fabric is one of the strongest natural fibers, three times tougher than cotton.21 Hemp fabric is resistant to wear and tear due to its good abrasionresistant properties. Also, hemp fibers easily take to natural dyes.22

Woven Textile Hemp Yarn

68

MASTER BEDROOM existing

T

he current experience in this space feels tightly enclosed due to the small square footage, encroaching gray painted walls, and limited light

sources and furnishings. The bedroom has only two layers of light – the ceiling light and one lamp by the bed. The glossy gray walls reflect harsh glares from the excessively white ambient light in the space. The west-facing double window energizes the space with warm evening light; however, the residents miss the experience of natural morning light from the eastern sun to sync their circadian rhythms to nature. Since the master closet will be rebuilt in this room, the square footage will shrink, so the additional furniture like the dresser will move to the guest bedroom. My design goal is to make this space feel open and airy, add the residents’ personalities, and address the lighting situation while meeting IEQ and human needs.

69

View of the dresser, closet door (left), entry door

Bed is positioned along the westward wall and next

(right), and of the harsh ambient lighting.

to the attic door.

70

MASTER BEDROOM proposed

71

materials

clay-lime

warm gray

plaster

soybean paint

walls

trim

hemp

wood

merdacotta

natural rug

platform bed

surface

hemp

soybean stain

wool fabric

curtains

existing

lighting +

flooring

acoustical treatment

indoor air quality A smart fan is installed to increase airflow in the space. The existing carpet is removed and recycled to improve air quality and to reveal the original wood flooring.

window treatment The west wall is a fabric curtain wall featuring hemp panels and soybean sheers to improve acoustics. Hemp fibers have good sound properties.23 Also, soy and hemp fabric – both - have high resistance to UV light.24,25 For these reasons, hemp and soy draperies are suitable natural fibers for window treatments.

wall finish The subtly textured, matte, and light warm gray walls brighten the space. Also, claylime plaster further purifies the air by absorbing CO2.26

furnishings Corn husks or corn husk fibers blended with other natural fibers such as hemp enhance performance and aesthetics. For example, hemp rugs are mildewresistant, durable, soften over time, and do not attract dirt or other allergens, unlike conventional rugs.27

furniture The headboard operates as an acoustical furniture piece filled with wool, an effective sound disruptor,28 and overlayed with synergetic patterns. The platform bed is a multifunctional furniture piece with attachable side tables, a bench, and additional storage below the bed.

lighting The ceiling fan includes a dimmable RGBW led light. Cylinder pendants hang on both sides of the platform bed, adding another layer of balanced lighting. The picture rail includes a RGBW LED strip for additional ambient lighting to help promote a healthy circadian rhythm by mimicking natural morning light.

72

LIVING ROOM pt 1 existing

T

he current furniture in the space consists of mostly second-hand furniture, a responsible solution to living sustainably. The walls are painted a light

blue with a semi-gloss finish. The lighting consists of a ceiling light and a lamp in the corner by the desk. The desk will move to the guest bedroom to accommodate a custom-built record player table that includes storage for vinyls. The design goal for this space is to provide sufficient space for social gatherings using modular furniture.

View of the desk, bookshelf, entry way to kitchen, and of the harsh ambient lighting.

73

View of the front door (right), closet door (left), TV

View of existing sofa, arm chair, and coffee table.

stand, and current record player stand.

74

LIVING ROOM pt 1 proposed

75

flooring

personalization

Soy-based wood stain penetration deeply into the substrate,

A picture rail is installed on the walls

creating a durable, long-lasting stain that is also breathable.

so that the inhabitants can hang their

Moisture located beneath the coating can readily travel

favorite art pieces.

through the stain, yet the exterior of the stain repels water.31

materials

clay plaster

corn husk-hemp

curtains

merdacotta

wood

wall finish

rug

wall treatment

surfaces

furniture + ceiling treatment

ceiling Textured ceiling conditions break up sound.

wall finish Clay-lime plaster is flexible, soft, and pliable, meaning that this wall finish is resistant to minor movement without cracking. Also, the permeable coating helps earth walls breathe, which means that it quickly cycles water through the substrate and coating to prevent efflorescence or subflorescence damage.29

furniture The furniture style is contemporary, minimalistic, low to the floor, and lightweight, so the space feels open and airy.

The coffee table features a merdacotta earthen surface constructed of clean intersecting lines with a bottom shelf for additional storage. The end tables are assorted to add variety but are harmoniously made of the same materials.

furnishings Hemp curtains promote thermal comfort due to hemp fibers’ thermo-regulating properties, passively cooling the interior during the summer and retaining heat in the winter.30 Corn husk-hemp rugs are wear-resistant and slip-resistant, ideal for high-traffic areas.

76

LIVING ROOM pt 2 seating Modular and versatile furniture supports the social dimension of human needs. Seating pieces have thick seating cushions for thermal mass performance and

hemp fabric modular sofa

stuffed with hemp fabric filler.32

woven hemp yarn modular sofa

North elevation view of the living room demonstrating how the folding 77

kitchen chairs are used for additional sitting in the living room.

West elevation view of the living room has an acoustical wall made of alpaca fibers.

acoustics This synergetic wall feature serves as an aesthetic wall finish and an acoustical system in place of the American flag. Alpaca fibers have superior acoustical properties32 because the fiber is hollow,33 great for trapping and drowsing out sounds. Also, alpaca fibers are safe, water repellent, flameresistant, hypoallergenic, and offer forty different color variations.34 A light gray color for the acoustical wall was chosen to match the lighting fixtures.

Buzzi Space designed all lighting fixtures in this space, which are acoustical

wool & alpaca fibers lamp shades + acoustical wall

lighting solutions.35 The cylindrical and conical shapes capture sounds waves, causing the sound to move within the shape’s radius until it

lighting There is a RGBW led light strip installed within the picture rail. Residents have the opportunity to adjust lighting quality to meet their needs.

The hanging pendants add a contemporary touch to the living room and provide task lighting. The wool upholstery operates as a thermal insulator, retains cool temperatures in the summer and heat in the winter.36

78

end notes 1. “LED Lighting,” Energy Saver (U.S. Department of Energy ), accessed May 2021, https://www.energy.gov/ energysaver/save-electricity-and-fuel/lighting-choices-save-you-money/led-lighting.

2. Abraham Harold Maslow, “A theory of human motivation,” Psychological review 50, no. 4 (1943).

3. Koltko-Rivera, “Rediscovering the later version of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: Self-transcendence and opportunities for theory, research, and unification.” 306.

4. Vandana Shiva - Activism & Self-Care: How to Remain Resilient While Committing to a Cause?, YouTube (Centre for Ecological Learning Luxembourg , 2021), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ykU_0qMqDA. 5. “How We Use Water,” WaterSense (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, February 5, 2018), https://www. epa.gov/watersense/how-we-use-water.

6. “Residential Toilets,” WaterSense (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, September 25, 2020), https:// www.epa.gov/watersense/residential-toilets.

7. “Hemp Material Benefits: 20 Great Facts About Hemp Fiber,” Hemp Fabric Benefits (Indohemp, July 4, 2020), https://indohemp.com/blog/hemp-material-benefits/.

8. Gernot Minke, Building with Earth: Design and Technology of a Sustainable Architecture (Basel: Birkhäuser, 2013). 16.

9. “Clay & Earth Plasters” (Low-impact Living Initiative, August 16, 2020), https://www.lowimpact.org/ lowimpact-topic/clay-earth-plasters/.

10. “7 Best Indoor Plants To Reduce Humidity Naturally,” Health & Wellbeing (Lifesoever, May 18, 2020), https://www.lifesoever.com/the-best-indoor-plants-to-reduce-humidity/.

11. Marie Iannotti, “17 Best Houseplants for Your Bathroom ,” Houseplants (The Spruce), accessed May 2021, https://www.thespruce.com/best-houseplants-for-bathroom-4151160.

12. “Coatings,” Common Uses (Use Soy ), accessed May 2021, https://soynewuses.org/common-uses/ coatings/.

13. Erik Devaney, “Problems With Cedar Wood” (Hunker), accessed June 2021, https://www.hunker. com/13401413/problems-with-cedar-wood.

14. “The Differences Between Hemp Oil and Tung Oil ,” Real Milk Paint, February 5, 2021, https://www. realmilkpaint.com/blog/tips/tung-oil-vs-hemp-oil/.

15. “What Is Low-E Glass & Does It Make Windows Energy Efficient? - ~” (Stanek Windows, February 14, 2017), https://www.stanekwindows.com/what-is-low-e-glass-and-does-it-make-windows-more-energyefficient.aspx.

16. Sloan Taliaferro, “Documentation and Testing of Nineteenth-Century Limewash Recipes in the United States,” (master’s thesis, Columbia University), 6.

79

17. Bill C. Wolverton and Mark Nelson, “Using Plants and Soil Microbes to Purify Indoor Air: Lessons from NASA and Biosphere 2 Experiments ,” Field Actions Science Reports (Institut Veolia, February 24, 2020), https://journals.openedition.org/factsreports/6092#quotationhttps://www.buzzi.space/acoustic-solutions/ buzzidome.

18. Cade, Ian. “Corn Fiber – Your Unexpected Eco Friendly Carpet.” 0420 Carpet , September 24, 2018. https://www.0420carpet.com.au/corn-fibre-your-unexpected-ecofriendly-carpet/.

19. “Is Hemp A Good Rug Material?” (Plush Rugs, June 10, 2019), https://plushrugs.com/blog/is-hemp-a-goodrug-material/.

20. “Hemp Clothing,” Eartheasy Guides & Articles (Earth Easy), accessed May 2021, https://learn.eartheasy. com/guides/hemp-clothing/.

21. “Fiber Characteristics - Hemp,” FabricLink (Fabric University ), accessed May 2021, https://www.fabriclink. com/University/Hemp.cfm.

22. Umberto Berardi and Gino Iannace, “Acoustic Characterization of Natural Fibers for Sound Absorption Applications,” Building and Environment 94 (2015): pp. 840-852, https://doi.org/10.1016/j. buildenv.2015.05.029.

23. Jiangbo Liao, Zhang Shangyong, and Tang Xiaoning, “Sound Absorption of Hemp Fibers (Cannabis Sativa L.) Based Nonwoven Fabrics and Composites: A Review,” Journal of Natural Fibers, May 14, 2020, pp. 1-13, https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2020.1764453.

24. “Soy” (Simplifi Fabric), accessed May 2021, https://www.simplififabric.com/pages/soy.

25. Jingxia Xie et al., “CO2 Absorption by Alkaline Soils and Its Implication to the Global Carbon Cycle,” Environmental Geology 56, no. 5 (2008): pp. 953-961, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-008-1197-0.

26. Sloan Taliaferro, “Documentation and Testing of Nineteenth-Century Limewash Recipes in the United States.”

27. “The Benefits of Sheep’s Wool Insulation for Your Home” (Therma Fleece, January 2, 2019), https://www. thermafleece.com/news/the-benefits-of-sheep-s-wool-insulation-for-your-home.

80

Phase Two

81

Hidden Grotto, Grayson, KY30

83

INSULATION, GEOTHERMAL, + AIR VENTILATION

85

EXTERIOR FINISHES

87

SOLAR ENERGY

89

WATER CATCHMENT

82

INSULATION, GEOTHERMAL, + AIR VENTILATION

A

s shared in the literature review, alternative, ecological building systems support comfortable, sustainable living. This section of the thesis

will thoroughly review - exterior renovation options, solar energy, and water catchment. However, a few building systems and ecological materials such as installation, geothermal heating, and air ventilation are not thoroughly explored but will be discussed here.

This thesis proposes that the attic be completely insulated and finished to decrease external noise (i.e., airplanes) and improve energy efficiency. Instead of using fiberglass or foam board insulation, an alternative material is hemp insulation produced by MEM Inc. (Manufacturer of Ecological Materials for the Home). Hemp insulation has zero VOCs, is vapor-permeable, naturally rodent and insect repellent, and biodegradable. The best advantage of using this ecological building material is if it gets wet, dry it out, and re-use it!1 Another ecological building material for interior sheathing, to cover the hemp insulation, is CornBoard, plywood sheathing made from corn wastes.2 Geothermal heating and cooling is an ecological, renewable energy source from the earth. Earth tubes are buried approximately 4’ to 10’ underground to access the earth’s undisturbed temperature, ranging from 45°F to 75°F depending on-site location.3 While some structures such as Earthships use the earth-air heat exchanger system,4 another option is to use a Geothermal heat pump system (solar-powered) to pull the earth’s undisturbed temperature into the home to naturally heat and cool.5 To note, the attic has exhaust fans that pull the air from the interior to the outside, improving indoor air quality. This existing system can work hand-in-hand with the geothermal system to enhance air ventilation.

83

If geothermal heating was installed, a hybrid method is the best option.⁶

Existing Attic

Also, the best location for the earth tubes is the backyard.

84

EXTERIOR FINISHES

Limewash Brick Cladding

Sun Room Addition

EXISTING

85

Solar Panels

Blue Tin Roof

Preserve Existing Vinyl Siding

Planter Beds for Rain Harvest

86

SOLAR ENERGY

T

he solar studies demonstrate the sun’s position (at 3 PM) according to the dates of the annual solstices and equinoxes. The house is south-facing, which is optimal for daylighting.

Phase two of the thesis proposes solar panels and the renovation of the existing front porch to an enclosed sunroom. The enclosed sunroom serves as a foyer, a transitional space before entering the living room. Also, the sunroom is where the occupants can spend time to soak up vitamin D from natural daylight, preventing seasonal affective disorder. This space also provides additional room to grow plants.

estimated wattage calculations Appliance

Quantity Total Feet

Hours used per day

Rated Wattage

Watt Hours per Day

kWh

Ceiling fan + attic fans

8

3

120

2880

Cell phone charger

2

6

5

60

0.06

Clothes dryer

1

0.25

3000

750

0.75

Clothes Washer

1

0.25

500

125

0.125

Coffer maker

1

20

1000

20000

20

Desktop computer

1

6

500

3000

3

Dishwasher

1

1

1500

1500

1.5

Fantech AEV 1000

2

2

81

324

0.324

Fridge - 20 cu, ft. (AC)

1

8

353

2824

2.824

Game console

1

3

90

270

0.27

Laptop charger

2

6

100

1200

1.2

LCD monitor

2

3

100

600

0.6

21

5

10

1050

1.05

LED light bulbs

2.88

Microwave

1

0.5

1000

500

0.5

Modem

1

24

7

168

0.168

Oven

1

1

2400

2400

2.4

3

10

30

0.03

Record player system RGBW LED light strips - kitchen

1

36

1.6

57.6

0.0576

RGBW LED light strips - living room

1

61

1.6

97.6

0.0976

Stove top

1

1500

3000

3

TV

2

150

300

0.3

2

Vacuum

1

0.1666

1000

166.6

0.1666

Water heater

1

3

4000

12000

12

Water pump

1

3

1000

3000

3

Wifi router

1

24

7

168

0.168

total daily watt-hours

56470.8 total kWh

56.4708

source: energy use calculate6

87

solar panel system size

total solar panels

(Daily kWh / Average daylight) x 1.15 efficiency factor7

system size / production ratio / panel wattage8

kW solar system size = (56,470 / 6) x 1.15

# of panels = 10,823 kW / 1.6 / 320

10,823 kW DC Solar System

21 panels

solar studies, 38.2, -85.7

The solar studies shows a design scheme of 60 solar panels to demonstrate how solar panels can fit on the house and garage.

Spring Equinox

Fall Equinox

Summer Solstice

Winter Solstice

88

WATER CATCHMENT

B

ased on the water catchment calculations, the water-conscious residents will consume approximately 36,500 gallons of water per year; however, based on the estimated yearly

rainfall amount and the square footages of the roofs, the residents will harvest approximately 32,800 gallons of water – less than the water demand. Therefore, if the residents are strict about water consumption, it is possible that they can live off the water harvest, but city water will supplement the lack of rain harvest.

estimated annual rainfall calculations January Feburary March April May June July August September October November Decemeber

Months

total day 31 28 31 30 31 30 31 31 30 31 30 31 total 365

avg. percipitation days avg. dry days precipiation (inches) 12 19 3.54 11 17 3.3 13 18 4.2 13 17 5.2 15 16 4.2 14 16 3.4 13 18 2.6 10 21 2 9 21 2.6 8 23 2.9 9 21 3.3 11 20 3.8 138 227 41.04

source: meteoblue9

estimated annual water demand # of people in household x 50 gallons (average water used per person) = estimated daily water consumption10 2 people x 50 gallons = 100 gallons of water used per day 100 gallons x 365 days = 36,500 gallons of water per year

estimated annual rainwater har vest amount 41” (rain per year) x 0.5 (per inches of rain) = 20.5 gallons (per square foot)11 Garage - 20.5 gallons x ~600 roof square feet = 12,300 gallons per year House - 20.5 gallons x ~1,000 roof square feet = 20,500 gallons per year 12,300 gallons + 20,500 gallons = 32,800 gallons of water per year 89

water catchment system The rainwater harvest system is set up to collect rainwater from the roofs of the house and garage. The water catchment system consists of two 1,600 gallon water cisterns, and the filtration water purifying system is located in the garage. The garage will need another layer of interior insulation to protect the water tanks and filtration system from Kentucky’s cold temperatures. The interior insulation is the same material used for the attic: hemp insulation, CornBoard, and a clay-lime plaster finish.

The rainwater from the house flows to the garage gutter system due to the water aqueduct connecting the house and garage gutter systems. Before entering the garage, the rainwater travels through the first phase of sanitation - the “first flush.” The first flush collects sediment and large particles before the water is stored in the cisterns. After the water goes through four stages of purification and filtration, the water becomes potable and is sent to the house.12 This thesis proposes ecologically recycling the gray water to flush the toilet. Gray water from the sinks and shower travels - to and through - the exterior garden planters, slanted at a 1% slope. As a result, water is ecologically purified as it filters through thick layers of peat, soil, sand, worms, and plant roots.13 As the water reaches the end of the planter, it is pumped back up to the bathroom and stored in a 70-gallon gray water tank. The treated gray water is filtered for the last time through carbon filters as its being pressured pumped to the commode.

Once the gray water is flushed and gravity fed into a septic tank, where anaerobic bacteria decompose solid wastes and absorb toxins from black water. After the anaerobic process, the black water drifts into its final destination, a rubber-lined botanical cell (located in backyard).

The botanical cell is a 3’ pit filled with a layer gravel (bottom), sand (middle), and soil (top) to host a garden of hardy (non-edible) plants. Through capillary action, water is pulled up through the layers and is a source of organic energy for plants to oxygenate and transpire. The botanical cell is also a lovely home for aerobic microbes, another line of defense that further digests the organic matter.14 90

WATER SYSTEM DIAGRAM

A

D

91

C

B

key Rainwater

Potable water

Gray water

Black water

gray water treatment A. Worm + Plant Planter B. Water Pressure Pump C. Charcoal Filter D. Gray water tank

rain harvest treatment 15 8

7

6

5

4

3

1. First Flush 2. Water Cisterns 3. Water Pressure Pump 1

4. Micron Filter 5. Charcoal Filter

2

6. ANSI/NSF Standard 55, Class A UV system 7. ANSI/NSF Standard 60 Chlorine 8. ANSI/NSF Standard 60 Corrosion Control

92

end notes 1. Scott Gibson , “Hemp Insulation Comes to North America,” Green Building News (Green Building Advisor, March 9, 2016), https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/hemp-insulation-comes-to-northamerica.

2. “Corn Board Manufacturing Inc.,” Our Products (CornBoard), accessed May 2021, https://www.cornboard. com/our-products.

3. “Geothermal Heat Pumps,” Energy Saver (U.S. Department of Energy ), accessed April 2021, https://www. energy.gov/energysaver/heat-and-cool/heat-pump-systems/geothermal-heat-pumps.

4. Trilok Singh Bisoniya, “Design of Earth–Air Heat Exchanger System,” Geothermal Energy 3, no. 1 (September 12, 2015): pp. 1-18, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40517-015-0036-2.

5. “Geothermal Heat Pumps,” Energy Saver.

6. “Calculate Electricity Usage” (Energy Use Calculator ), accessed April 2021, https://energyusecalculator. com/calculate_electrical_usage.htm.

7. “How Much Solar Power Do We Need” (Eco-Worthy , November 7, 2019), https://www.eco-worthy.com/ blogs/news/how-much-solar-power-do-we-need.

8. Jacob Marsh, “How Many Solar Panels Do I Need?,” Solar News (EnergySage), accessed May 2021, https://news.energysage.com/how-many-solar-panels-do-i-need/.

9. “Climate Louisville” (meteoblue, 2021), https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/historyclimate/ climatemodelled/louisville_united-states-of-america_4299276.

10. “Harvesting, Storing, and Treating Rainwater for Domestic Indoor Use” (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, January 2007), http://agrilife.org/rainwaterharvesting/files/2011/05/gi366_2021994.pdf. 14.

11. Ibid. 14.

12. “Harvesting, Storing, and Treating Rainwater for Domestic Indoor Use,” 11.

13. “Waste Water Treatment,” Earthship Biotecture, December 15, 2020, https://earthshipbiotecture.com/ design-principles/waste-water-treatment/.

14. “Earthship Biotecture Transcribed: Session 2/Part 6: Black Water Treatment In Any Climate, Food Production.” (Steemit), accessed June 29, 2021, https://steemit.com/ecotrain/@eco-alex/earthshipbiotecture-transcribed-session-2-part6-black-water-treatment-in-any-climate-food-production.

15. “Harvesting, Storing, and Treating Rainwater for Domestic Indoor Use,” 19-36.

93

94

Conclusion

95

Cumberland, KY31

A

lthough research shows that synthetic materials are unhealthy for the human environment, these toxic products are still commonly found in residential

interiors.1 In this thesis, I explored how to limit the use of synthetic materials by implementing the tenants of the ecological interior design framework, benefiting the home and local ecology to create a sustentive community for all. This thesis combines traditional research with a case study in Louisville, KY, to demonstrate ecological interior design. Ecological interior design is a transdisciplinary approach that specializes in reducing the environmental impacts of design to enhance the health and wellbeing of all living ecosystems. Ecological interiors integrates sustainable and ecological living processes into the built environment, designing with natural and agricultural byproducts that organically decompose back into the earth.

I propose that when people take personal accountability to live a lifestyle aligned with the wellbeing of nature, positive planetary change will happen. I full-heartedly believe that everyone has the power to live more healthily by developing ecological mindsets, being socially responsible, and supporting local sustentive communities to protect our natural places, which will synergetically help other people in other places.

end notes 1. Bill C. Wolverton and Mark Nelson, “Using Plants and Soil Microbes to Purify Indoor Air: Lessons from NASA and Biosphere 2 Experiments ,”

96

Bibliography “2020 Planted Acres (Including Failed Acres) Reported to Farm Service Agency.” Crop Acreage Data. Farm Service Agency U.S. Department of Agriculture . Accessed March 2021. https://www. fsa.usda.gov/news-room/efoia/electronic-reading-room/frequently-requested-information/cropacreage-data/index.

“7 Best Indoor Plants To Reduce Humidity Naturally.” Health & Wellbeing . Lifesoever, May 18, 2020. https://www.lifesoever.com/the-best-indoor-plants-to-reduce-humidity/.

“The Benefits of Sheep’s Wool Insulation for Your Home.” Therma Fleece, January 2, 2019. https:// www.thermafleece.com/news/the-benefits-of-sheep-s-wool-insulation-for-your-home.

Alan, Murray, Skene Keith, and Haynes Kathryn. “The Circular Economy: An Interdisciplinary Exploration of the Concept and Application in a Global Context.” Journal of Business Ethics, 140, no.

3 (2017): 369-80. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2693-2.

Berardi, Umberto, and Gino Iannace. “Acoustic Characterization of Natural Fibers for Sound Absorption Applications.” Building and Environment, 94 (2015): 840–52.

Berry, Wendell. Leavings: Poems. Berkeley : Counterpoint : Distributed by Publishers Group West, 2010. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2015.05.029.

Bisoniya, Trilok Singh. “Design of Earth–Air Heat Exchanger System.” Geothermal Energy, 3, no. 1 (September 12, 2015): 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40517-015-0036-2.

Brundtland, Gro Harlem, M Khalid, S Agnelli, S Al-Athel, and BJNY Chidzero. “Our Common Future.”

New York 8 (1987).

Cade, Ian. “Corn Fiber – Your Unexpected Eco Friendly Carpet.” 0420 Carpet , September 24, 2018. https://www.0420carpet.com.au/corn-fibre-your-unexpected-ecofriendly-carpet/.

“Calculate Electricity Usage.” Energy Use Calculator . Accessed April 2021. https:// energyusecalculator.com/calculate_electrical_usage.htm.

“Clay & Earth Plasters.” Low-impact Living Initiative, August 16, 2020. https://www.lowimpact.org/ lowimpact-topic/clay-earth-plasters/.

Celadyn, Magdalena. “Environmental Activation of Inner Space Components in Sustainable Interior Design.” Sustainability, 10, no. 6 (2018): 1945. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/6/1945.

Chen, Dung-Sheng, Lu-Lin Cheng, Caroline Hummels, and Ilpo Koskinen. “Social Design: An Introduction.” International Journal of Design, 10, no. 1 (2016): 1-5.

Clarke, Alison J. “”Actions Speak Louder”: Victor Papanek and the Legacy of Design Activism.” Design and culture 5, no. 2 (2013): 151-68. https://doi.org/10.2752/175470813X13638640370698.

“Climate Louisville.” meteoblue, 2021. https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/historyclimate/ climatemodelled/louisville_united-states-of-america_4299276.

97

“Coatings.” Common Uses. Use Soy . Accessed May 2021. https://soynewuses.org/common-uses/ coatings/.

“Corn Board Manufacturing Inc.” Our Products . CornBoard. Accessed May 2021. https://www. cornboard.com/our-products.

DeMartini, Alayna. “Reducing the Environmental Impact of Cows’ Waste.” College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, October 25, 2017. https://cfaes.osu.edu/news/articles/ reducing-the-environmental-impact-cows-waste.

Devaney, Erik. “Problems With Cedar Wood.” Hunker. Accessed June 2021. https://www.hunker. com/13401413/problems-with-cedar-wood.

“The Difference Between Hemp Oil And Tung Oil.” The Real Milk Paint Co. . Accessed May 2021. https://www.realmilkpaint.com/blog/tips/tung-oil-vs-hemp-oil/.

“The Differences Between Hemp Oil and Tung Oil .” Real Milk Paint, February 5, 2021. https://www. realmilkpaint.com/blog/tips/tung-oil-vs-hemp-oil/.

“Earthship Biotecture Transcribed: Session 2/Part 6: Black Water Treatment In Any Climate, Food Production.” Steemit. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://steemit.com/ecotrain/@eco-alex/earthshipbiotecture-transcribed-session-2-part6-black-water-treatment-in-any-climate-food-production.

Edmondson, Amy C. A Fuller Explanation: The Synergetic Geometry of R. Buckminster Fuller.

Springer Science & Business Media, 2012.

“Fiber Characteristics - Hemp.” FabricLink. Fabric University . Accessed May 2021. https://www. fabriclink.com/University/Hemp.cfm.

“Fiber Characteristics - Soybean .” FabricLink. Accessed April 2021. https://www.fabriclink.com/ university/Soybean.cfm.

Franklin, Kate, and Caroline Till. Radical Matter: Rethinking Materials for a Sustainable Future.

London: Thames & Hudson, 2018.

Fritz, Schumacher. “Small Is Beautiful: A Study of Economics as If People Mattered.” London: Vintage [first published in 1973 by Blond & Briggs], 1993.

Fromm, Erich. The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness. New York, New York : Open Road Integrated Media, 1992.

“Geothermal Heat Pumps.” Energy Saver . U.S. Department of Energy. Accessed April 2021. https:// www.energy.gov/energysaver/heat-and-cool/heat-pump-systems/geothermal-heat-pumps.

Gibson , Scott. “Hemp Insulation Comes to North America.” Green Building News. Green Building Advisor, March 9, 2016. https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/hemp-insulation-comes-tonorth-america.

“Harvesting, Storing, and Treating Rainwater for Domestic Indoor Use.” Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, January 2007. http://agrilife.org/rainwaterharvesting/files/2011/05/gi366_2021994.pdf.

98

Hayles, Carolyn S. “Environmentally Sustainable Interior Design: A Snapshot of Current Supply of and Demand for Green, Sustainable or Fair Trade Products for Interior Design Practice.” International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, 4, no. 1 (2015/06/01/ 2015): 100-08. https://doi.org/ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsbe.2015.03.006. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/ S2212609015000138.

“Hemp Clothing.” Eartheasy Guides & Articles. Earth Easy. Accessed May 2021. https://learn. eartheasy.com/guides/hemp-clothing/.

“Hemp Concrete.” Material District, December 14, 2017. https://materialdistrict.com/material/hempconcrete/.

“Hemp Material Benefits: 20 Great Facts About Hemp Fiber.” Hemp Fabric Benefits . Indohemp, July 4, 2020. https://indohemp.com/blog/hemp-material-benefits/.

“Hemp.” Material District, April 11, 2014. https://materialdistrict.com/material/hemp/.

“How Much Solar Power Do We Need.” Eco-Worthy , November 7, 2019. https://www.eco-worthy. com/blogs/news/how-much-solar-power-do-we-need.

“How We Use Water.” WaterSense. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, February 5, 2018. https:// www.epa.gov/watersense/how-we-use-water.

Iannotti, Marie. “17 Best Houseplants for Your Bathroom .” Houseplants . The Spruce. Accessed May 2021. https://www.thespruce.com/best-houseplants-for-bathroom-4151160.

“Indiana County Estimates .” United States Department of Agriculture. Accessed March 2021. https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Indiana/Publications/County_Estimates/index.php.

“Is Hemp A Good Rug Material?” Plush Rugs, June 10, 2019. https://plushrugs.com/blog/is-hemp-agood-rug-material/.

“Kentucky County Estimate Maps.” United States Department of Agriculture. Accessed March 2021. https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Kentucky/Publications/County_Estimates/maps/ index.php.

Kang, Mihyun, and Denise A. Guerin. “The Characteristics of Interior Designers Who Practice Environmentally Sustainable Interior Design.” Environment and Behavior, 41, no. 2 (2009): 170-84. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916508317333. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/ abs/10.1177/0013916508317333.

Koltko-Rivera, Mark E. “Rediscovering the Later Version of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: SelfTranscendence and Opportunities for Theory, Research, and Unification.” Review of general psychology 10, no. 4 (2006): 302-17.

“LED Lighting.” Energy Saver . U.S. Department of Energy . Accessed May 2021. https://www.energy. gov/energysaver/save-electricity-and-fuel/lighting-choices-save-you-money/led-lighting.

Liao, Jiangbo, Zhang Shangyong, and Tang Xiaoning. “Sound Absorption of Hemp Fibers (Cannabis Sativa L.) Based Nonwoven Fabrics and Composites: A Review.” Journal of Natural Fibers, May 14, 2020, 1–13. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2020.1764453.

99

Live Serpentine Galleries Talk: Re-Learning Perspectives. Dezeen. VDF x Serpentine Galleries, 2020. https://www.dezeen.com/2020/06/26/serpentine-galleries-live-talk-ecological-design-materialsvdf/.

“Louisville Jefferson County Information Consortium .” LOJIC. Accessed 2021. https://www.lojic.org/.

Marsh, Jacob. “How Many Solar Panels Do I Need? .” Solar News. EnergySage. Accessed May 2021. https://news.energysage.com/how-many-solar-panels-do-i-need/.

Maslow, Abraham Harold. “A Theory of Human Motivation.” Psychological review 50, no. 4 (1943): 370.

Minke, Gernot. Building with Earth: Design and Technology of a Sustainable Architecture. Basel: Birkhäuser, 2013.

Moreno, Elise. “A Case for Bioregionalism in Place-Based Research.” Melbourne Journal of Politics, 37 (2015): 43-60.

“NASS - National Agricultural Statistics Service.” USDA. Accessed 2021. https://www.nass.usda.gov/.

“Outdoor Hemp Fabric.” Material District, November 19, 2019. https://materialdistrict.com/material/ outdoor-hemp-fabric/.

Papanek, Victor J. Design for the Real World: Human Ecology and Social Change. [1st American ed.]. ed. New York: New York, Pantheon Books, 1972.

Purvis, Ben, Yong Mao, and Darren Robinson. “Three Pillars of Sustainability: In Search of Conceptual Origins.” Sustainability Science, 14, no. 3 (2019/05/01 2019): 681-95. https://doi.org/10.1007/ s11625-018-0627-5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-018-0627-5.

Rashdan, Wael, and Aymna Fathy Ashour. “Criteria for Sustainable Interior Design Solutions.” WIT Trans Ecol Environ, 223 (2017): 311-22.

“Residential Toilets.” WaterSense. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, September 25, 2020. https://www.epa.gov/watersense/residential-toilets.

Schoeneman, Aaron. “Hemp as a Solution to Soil Compaction and Erosion.” Iowa Hemp Association , October 6, 2015. http://iowahemp.org/2015/10/06/hemp-as-a-solution-to-soil-compaction-anderosion/.

Scott , Gibson. “Hemp Insulation Comes to North America.” Green Building Advisor, March 9, 2018. https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/hemp-insulation-comes-to-north-america.

Shiva, Vandana. Earth Democracy: Justice, Sustainability, and Peace. Cambridge, Mass: South End Press, 2005. . Soil Not Oil: Environmental Justice in a Time of Climate Crisis. Environmental Justice in a Time of Climate Crisis. Cambridge, Mass: South End Press, 2008.

Sloane, Taliaferro. “Documentation and Testing of Nineteenth-Century Limewash Recipes in the United States,” 2015.

100

Solanki, Seetal. Why Materials Matter: Responsible Design for a Better World. Munich: Prestel, 2019.

Sorrento, Linda. “A Natural Balance: Interior Design, Humans, and Sustainability.” Journal of Interior Design, 37, no. 2 (2012): ix-xxiv. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1668.2012.01075.x.

Stead, Christopher. “Logos.” (1998), Taylor and Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780415249126 -A065-1. https://www.rep.routledge.com/articles/thematic/logos/v-1.

“Soy.” Simplifi Fabric. Accessed May 2021. https://www.simplififabric.com/pages/soy.

Talbott. “Hemp in Kentucky.” First Hemp Crop . ExploreKYHistory . Accessed June 2021. https:// explorekyhistory.ky.gov/items/show/108.

“TIGER/Line Shapefiles.” United Stated Census Bureau. Accessed March 2021. https://www.census. gov/geographies/mapping-files/time-series/geo/tiger-line-file.html.

University Press of, Kentucky, Greg Abernathy, and Wendell Berry. Kentucky’s Natural Heritage : An Illustrated Guide to Biodiversity. Lexington, Ky.: Lexington, Ky. : The University Press of Kentucky, 2010.

Vandana Shiva - Activism & Self-Care: How to Remain Resilient While Committing to a Cause?

YouTube. Centre for Ecological Learning Luxembourg , 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ ykU_0qMqDA. Van der Ryn, Sim, and Stuart Cowan. Ecological Design. Edited by Stuart Cowan. 10th anniversary ed. ed. Washington, DC: Washington, DC : Island Press, 2007.

“Waste Water Treatment.” Earthship Biotecture, December 15, 2020. https://earthshipbiotecture. com/design-principles/waste-water-treatment/.

“Waterproof Hemp Shoes.” Material District, July 2, 2019. https://materialdistrict.com/article/ waterproof-hemp-shoes/.

Weigal, Kris, and Lee Walko. “Soybean Oil Offers Performance and Sustainability.” PCI Magazine, March 3, 2020. https://www.pcimag.com/articles/107136-soybean-oil-offers-performance-andsustainability.

“What Is Low-E Glass & Does It Make Windows Energy Efficient? - ~.” Stanek Windows, February 14, 2017. https://www.stanekwindows.com/what-is-low-e-glass-and-does-it-make-windows-moreenergy-efficient.aspx.

Wolverton, Bill C., and Mark Nelson. “Using Plants and Soil Microbes to Purify Indoor Air: Lessons from NASA and Biosphere 2 Experiments .” Field Actions Science Reports. Institut Veolia, February 24, 2020. https://journals.openedition.org/factsreports/6092#quotationhttps://www.buzzi.space/ acoustic-solutions/buzzidome.

Xie, Jingxia, Yan Li, Cuixia Zhai, Chenhua Li, and Zhongdong Lan. “Co2 Absorption by Alkaline Soils and Its Implication to the Global Carbon Cycle.” Environmental Geology 56, no. 5 (2009/01/01 2009): 953-61. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-008-1197-0. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254008-1197-0.

101

Image notes 1. Alexeys. Red River Gorge. Photograph. Getty Images. Accessed April 2021. https://www. gettyimages.com/detail/photo/red-river-gorge-royalty-free-image/1066616600.

2. Nichols, Zack. Cumberland Falls, Kentucky. Photograph. Unsplash, August 15, 2021. https:// unsplash.com/photos/QkCK6c33EpA. 3. Mendes, Guy. Wendell Berry on the Kentucky River. Photograph. Garden & Gun. Accessed March 2021. https://gardenandgun.com/feature/wendell-berrys-wild-spirit/.

4. Kentucky Landscapes. Photograph. Pinterest. Accessed April 2021. https://www.pinterest.com/ pin/103160647684000484/.

5. The Eames. Photograph. Eames Office LLC, June 13, 2014. https://www.eamesoffice.com/blog/ the-eames-explainer.

6. Victor Papanek (1923-1998). Photograph. Alamy, n.d. https://bit.ly/3A9BuTj. 7. Buckminster Fuller. Photograph. Geometry. The Estate of R. Buckminster Fuller. Accessed May 2021. https://www.buckminsterfuller.net/images/geometry.html.

8. Jitterbug. Photograph. Buckminster Fuller Institute. Accessed May 2021. https://marketplace.bfi. org/products/collectors-item-wxyz-jitterbugs.

9. Earthship Building Systems Diagram. Photograph. Earthship Biotecture. Accessed March 2021. https://earthshipbiotecture.com/three-earthship-questions/.

10. Exterior of Earthship. Earthship Images. Earthship Global. Accessed April 2021. https://www. earthshipglobal.com/.

11. Dr. Vandana Shiva. Photograph. Accessed April 2021. https://www.collectiveeye.org/products/ seed_watch_now.

12. Daeger, Marissa. Red River Gorge, Kentucky, USA. Photograph. Unsplash, Accessed April 2021, https://unsplash.com/photos/h4Cg84HUnmI. 13. Hoefler, Dave. Laurel County, United States. Photograph. Unsplash, April 23, 2018. https:// unsplash.com/photos/teui8jKPjBw. 14. Louisville, KY, USA. Photograph. Unsplash, March 15, 2021. https://unsplash.com/photos/ iWpF3D_M-1g.

15. Joshua, Michaels. Farmland. Photograph. Unsplash, January 9, 2020. https://unsplash.com/ photos/CD1CT8nDkJk. 16. Bathroom. Photograph. Creatina. Accessed May 2021. https://www.claylime.com/en/.

17. Farrow, Josiah. Alpaca. Photograph. Unsplash , October 28, 2019. https://unsplash.com/photos/ lpxf698eF6s.

102

18. San Marcos Foothills Preserve. Photograph. Santa Barbara, United States: Unsplash, April 8, 2019. https://unsplash.com/photos/nbklTnbXZ68.

19. Corn Husk Door Mat. Photograph. Every China . Accessed May 2021. http://www.everychina. com/p-z52e9092-104316213-22620-corn-husk-foot-pad-corn-husk-door-mat-corn-huskfloor-mats-slide-proof-rug.html.

20. Essinger, Travis. Bowling Green, United States. Photograph. Unsplash, September 7, 2017. https://unsplash.com/photos/oG01mozFb7o.

21. 100% Hemp Fabrics. Photograph. Prestige Creations Co., LTD. Accessed April 2021, https:// handbag-asia.com/index.php/product/hemp-fabrics-wholesale-chiang-mai-thailand/.

22. Hemp. Photograph. Center for Crop Diversification. Accessed April 2021. https://www.uky.edu/ ccd/production/crop-resources/gffof/hemp.

23. Rodgers, Bill. Merdacotta. Photograph. Cfile, May 25, 2016. https://bit.ly/3dpZQOQ. 24. Palacz, Iga. Cows. Photograph. Unsplash, January 3, 2019. https://unsplash.com/photos/ qZPEd8LO1Sg. 25. Interior Paint Colors & Palettes. Photograph. Martha Stewart. Accessed April 2021. https://bit. ly/3jtaJTR. 26. Soybeans. Photograph. Harvest to Table. Accessed April 2021. https://harvesttotable.com/ how_to_grow_soybean/.

27. Mandarich, Holly. Crested Butte, United States. Photograph. Unsplash, July 30, 2017. https:// unsplash.com/photos/bMog4gpujsI. 28. Southeastern KY, near the Virginia Border. Photograph. Deviant Art, 2020. https://www. deviantart.com/snicoleb/art/Kentucky-Landscape-865825940.

29. Little, Erin. Canterbury Shaker Village. Photograph. The Organized Home . Accessed May 2021. https://www.organized-home.com/posts/shaker-storage-ideas-to-steal-canterbury-shakervillage/.

30. Foldable, Modular Furniture Designs. Photograph. Yanko Design. Accessed April 2021. https:// www.yankodesign.com/2020/10/01/these-foldable-modular-furniture-designs-are-the-spacesaving-solution-every-home-needs/.

31. Hidden Grotto. Photograph. Grayson Lake, Kentucky, USA: Unsplash , May 26, 2020. https:// unsplash.com/photos/BoSmqKs1jNg. 32. Lauren, Barton. Cumberland Falls, Kentucky, USA. Photograph. Unsplashed, January 6, 2021. https://unsplash.com/photos/tEKWoSaksho.

103

104