LSA Climate Crisis Zine 1

LSA CLIMATE CRISIS ZINE 22.O4.21

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Climate Crisis Group Manifesto The 22nd April marks earth day, with this year's theme focusing on natural processes and green technologies, it is a fitting time for our first Climate Crisis Group zine!

The LSA Climate Crisis Group is a student led group within the Liverpool School of Architecture. Our group aims to address the climate emergency by increasing awareness through architectural education. We actively encourage students to think more about environmental sustainability and make it an integral part of the design process.

Our group have three main aims: 1. Awareness : The built environment in the UK accounts for 45% of total Carbon Emissions, it is crucial as architecture students to understand the impact the construction industry has on the planet.

2. Attitude : Our attitude to sustainability is integral if we are to design responsibly, we encourage both students and staff to be more conscientious in the way we design.

3. Educate : If we are to make changes within the industry, we must understand how to make sustainable design decisions so that we can take this knowledge into practice.

Find us on Instagram @architectureforchange

Check out the UOL studentled groups at: https://www. liverpool.ac.uk/architecture/ community/studentledgroups/

Meet The Team Jamie Hole

Ria Aulak

Holly Knight-Parfitt

4th Year Masters Student

4th Year Masters Student

4th Year Masters Student

Climate crisis group leader

Zine leader

Runs our instagram page

Interested in heritage,

Interested in material re-

Interested in reuse and

retrofitting and sustainable

use and building's end-of-

retrofit of heritage buildings

technologies

life process

Ffion Douglas

Tom Dutton

Emma Chrystie-Lowe

Yenny Weng Mei

4th Year Masters Student

3rd Year Undergraduate

3rd Year Undergraduate

2nd Year Undergraduate

Climate crisis group deputy

Student

Student

Student

Runs our instagram page

Climate group member

Climate group member

Climate group member

Interested in the adaptive

Interested in sensory

Interested in sustainable

Interested in passivhaus,

reuse of heritage buildings

heritage spaces

architecture and biophilic

adaptive reuse,

design

environmentally sustainable technology

2020

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Student Projects Buxton Burrow First Year Project Project by: Alice Antoszkiewicz

This project inspired by Angela Buxton incorporates the material hempcrete, which comes from the stalks of hemp and is usually mixed with a binder on site. The hemp layer ‘breathes’ by absorbing the suns heat in the day and letting it out during the night. Hemp is also a plant and so CO2 is locked from the atmosphere into the building’s enclosure.

2020

The building’s roof has an ecological roof system integrated layer. Plants can grow on the roof further taking the CO2 from the atmosphere.

Hong Kong Newbee Community Masters Project Project by: Xufan Li

Cage housing in Hong Kong connects with existing urban areas through conceptual planning and designs a new self-renewal method to complete the virtuous cycle of the developement of socially disadvantaged groups, gradually improving the living conditions through specific production activities.

Third Year Project Alumni Project by: Alex Benjamin

A dining hall, part of a co-housing scheme.

Residents each make identical timber cassettes, and in joining together, these create a type of lamella vault, adding up to more than the sum of their parts.

‘Low Tech Architecture’ is about returning to the most basic materials we have in abundance on Earth, and exploring their beauty.

2019

Low Tech Architecture

2021

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The Senate of Budapest Fourth Year Project Project by: Connor Rowland

The Senate of Budapest proposes a new typology for political transparency. The project aims to tackle the segregation of communities within the city, in addition to the muted political opinions of the general public, under the current rule of Viktor Orbán.

To achieve this the project intertwines various political programs with a public green space. To incorporate the concept of green design into the building proposition, the buildings sculptural form is created via biological concrete, capturing rainwater to create living walls that encourage the growth of moss and microalgae on its facades. This is supplemented by green roofs on the numerous levels of the building, integrating local trees and plants to lower the carbon footprint of the building.

Furthermore, the design incorporates south facing curtain walls and a glass rotunda central to the building to increase solar gain, lowering energy costs.

Fifth Year Project Project by: Matt Sharp, Scott Millington and Eden Harris

The scheme proposed Runcorn as a new epicentre for electric vehicle design, production, and manufacturing in the UK. Sites figuratively placed between the old and new town intended to improve the interaction between both.

The building that was developed intended to accelerate the uptake of electric vehicle usage in the area, and the construction was sustainable, with materials being reclaimed from a nearby decommissioned power station and a FSC certified forest. The operation of the building was zero carbon, being solar powered and heated using a water source heat pump placed in the nearby canal on site.

2021

Powering Progression

2020

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Existing Projects David Brownlow Theatre Project by: Jonathan Tuckey Design Location: Newtown, United Kingdom Written by: Yenny Weng Mei

Natural materials have been used to create this passively ventilated theatre. It is constructed using a cross-laminated timber (CLT) frame structure and red Viroc panels.

The CLT frame was chosen for being cost effective and reducing on-site construction time. By using CLT, an engineered wooden structural system, it has provided an alternative to using traditional blockwork as it created a saving of 40 tonnes of CO2.

The exterior of the building envelope is clad in Viroc, a composite material that is made using wood fibers and cement particles. The Viroc material was machine cut off site from sheets to reduce waste and pieced together by hand as one object of joinery. Not only is Viroc a cost-effective facade choice, but the material composition also produces many benefits. It is a non-toxic, eco-friendly material that allows fire resistant, sound insulation, moisture resistant, thermal insulation, weight resistant, insect resistant, easy installation and fabrication.

Project by: Mae Architects Location: London, United Kingdom Wriiten by: James Hole

Over 35% of the building material is composed of recycled materials. The project uses a responsibly sourced CLT Timber structure that has been designed with steel fixings rather than glue so that it can be disassembled at the end of the building’s life and be re-used. This structure is exposed on the interior to give a highly tactile quality to the space. The interior spaces are lit by large north-facing clerestory glazing provides a consistent and natural way of lighting the internal spaces, reducing the need for artificial lighting.

The building envelope is composed of bespoke upcycled bricks that have prevented over 28 tonnes of waste material going into landfill.

Additionally, as part of the site’s new landscaping, there has been new planting of trees, hedges and green walls which enhance the local biodiversity of the surrounding area.

2020

Sands End Arts & Community Centre

2020

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Documentary review I am Greta Greta Thunberg, 15, starts school striking for the climate.

She skips school and sits outside the parliament to show the politicians that if they don't care about her future, why should she?

A film about acting to stop climate change before it's too late.

Director: Nathan Grossman Where can I watch it: BBC iPlayer Review by: Jamie Hole Purpose of the documentary This documentary delves into the personal Journey of Greta Thunberg, the girl that brought attention to the masses of the human impact on our planet. The documentary highlights the constant struggle with negligent world leaders in campaigning for change.

Summary and thoughts The documentary begins with Greta protesting outside the Stockholm parliament building holding up her sign ‘School strike for climate’. Over a year, Greta rallies together an army of like-minded young individuals who seek change. The film shows the incredible resilience of Greta, fighting against the ignorance and hatred of

world politicians and media. Her laserfocused attitude to the problem has encouraged millions of people to begin to behave differently, as she states ‘once you understand the magnitude of the problem, you cant erase it’.

The film also delves into Greta’s more personal life and the vulnerabilities she faces when prioritising the climate crisis over her own needs, as well as the vulnerabilities she faces due to her social anxiety. However, through all this the documentary is excellent at conveying her determination to the cause.

What are the drawbacks?

The documentary doesn’t examine the specific problems of sustainability, but rather focuses on the difficulties when campaigning for change and the challenges Greta faces. It would have been interesting to see more of the evidence to her claims, through statistical facts rather than glimpses of the impact we are having.

How does the documentary relate to sustainability or architecture?

Greta’s determination to not be viewed as a hypocrite is shown throughout the documentary. She ensures her way of living is incredibly minimal, from persuading her family to go vegan, using sustainable methods of transport from electric cars to public transport and even sailing across the Atlantic to avoid the carbon footprint of air travel. Her pursuit for a more conscientious way of living is inspirational, and while this documentary has little relation to architecture, it makes one consider how we can start being more conscientious in the way we work and live, and as architects, the buildings we design.

Would you recommend? Yes! We all need to be more like Greta!

2015

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Documentary review Forget Shorter Showers This documentary based on the essay 'Why personal change does not equal political change', re-frames the notion that consumers have the sole responsibility to reduce the climate crisis. The real power for change stems from the large corporations, whom are usually the culprits of the climate crisis.

Director: Jordan Brown and Derrick Jenson Where can I watch it: Films for Action Essay the documentary is based on: 'Why personal change does not equal political change' Review by: Ria Aulak Purpose of the documentary The documentary argues against the adjenda pushed onto consumer to make simple lifestyle changes to combat climate change. When the consumer's focus should be on rallying and protesting for the large corporations to dramatically reduce their carbon impact.

Summary and thoughts The lifestyle 'solutions' we are persuaded to make, in order to sustain the planet, are found to have limited effects on reducing

the global carbon emissions to an acceptable level.

Whilst these lifestyle changes are still beneficial, our efforts should be redirected into activism to get the corporations to reduce their own carbon usage. Rather than them feeding the narrative to consumers that only our actions must dramatically change.

" Consumers are victims of a campaign of systematic misdirection"

How does the documentary relate to sustainability or architecture?

The main message I took from this short film is to look at the bigger picture. Of course, any small sustainable changes designers make when working on a new or existing building is beneficial, this film emphasises that to see and make change in any field, activism and protesting for your beliefs is a necessary measure.

What are the drawbacks?

The purpose of the documentary was the re-focus activists into making changes that could have real potential for carbon reduction. However, advice about how to rally against these corporations is lacking - a sequel to this documentary providing guidance could really increase the knowledge of the audience already captured by this successful documentary.

Would you recommend? Yes, I think everyone should watch this! I would also recommend to read the essay first!

2018

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Documentary review Cabin in the Wild Dick Strawbridge and Will Hardie follow a competition to build a portable pop-up hotel in the wild looking at eight incredible cabins.

Presenters: Dick Strawbridge and Will Hardie Where can I watch it: Netflix Review by: Holly Knight-Parfitt Purpose of the documentary This documentary is spread over 4 episodes. It documents the process of how 8 cabins are designed and made for a competition to have their cabin used in the welsh countryside, with the winner chosen at the end.

Summary and thoughts Each episode takes on a key theme. Working though the design and construction of both, until one goes forward to the final stage at the end of the episode. During this, Dick and Will design and make their own cabin, which is extendable to allow more space inside.

The first episode looks at two cabins that are based around the idea of the Welsh

dragon, one with timber shingles as cladding and the other with a curved roof and glazed façade. I think this episode is a great start and really shows that you can make beautiful cabins that are not just made of timber in simple rectangular form that we know. The second episode takes a cabin inspired by a coal mine and pits it against a modern design that is made from slate.

The interesting part of this episode is how design choices had to be made throughout the process. The original intention for one team was to allow the users of the cabin to gradually add slate pieces to the façade in stacks, but they quickly learnt that this would make it too heavy, therefore changed their design to use recycled slate cladding in thinner pieces instead. The third episode looks closer into the Arthurian legend and how one design could feel like a cave through laser cutter timber pieces and another that creates a two storey ‘tepee’ with canvas walls. In the final episode a treehouse goes up against a cabin with an opening roof. You will have to give it a watch though to find out who wins!

How does the documentary relate to sustainability or architecture?

The series looks at ways to construct cabins that can be used in the Welsh countryside.

A cabin is a small habitable shelter which lends itself much more to sustainability than to a high energy consuming homes, which is

becoming attractive to many people looking for an eco-friendly and cheaper-to-run living.

I think there are a number of key points to take from the programme with regards to sustainability which are: materiality, light and traditionalism.

1 The materiality of the cabins in the show were typically locally sourced, which lowers the overall embodied energy of the material due to transport being needed to the sites.

2 In every cabin there are discussions of light and how it can be brought, a key element for passively heating these types of spaces.

3 Traditions. Some of the cabins had teams working on the project in the documentary whereas one man used his own craftsmanship to create his cabin.

What are the drawbacks?

Although the concept of the cabin is eco friendly as the techniques used in the programme lend themselves well to more sustainable construction, there aren’t discussions of this in the show. Perhaps there could have been more discussions of these topics in order to make the general public more aware of the climate issues we are facing and how the construction industry plays a role in this.

Would you recommend? 100% recommend this series to all of you! It is so easy to follow and enjoyable to watch!

2020

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Documentary review Waterworld - Living with Climate Change A new habitual reality could be just around the corner. The threat of an accelerating rise in sea levels could involve living on top of the water as the safest place to be.

Film by: Matthias Schmitzer Written by: Ulrike Schmitzer Where can I watch it: Youtube Review by: Emma Chrystie-Lowe Purpose of the documentary This documentary exposes the daunting effects of climate change on sea levels.

It reaches out to mankind, to take responsibility for a problem that we ourselves have created and informs one to act promptly on this problem, to find solutions for a new reality.

Summary and thoughts The documentary makes one aware of the harsh reality of our current climate crisis.

Sea levels are rising more rapidly than anticipated, so the need for proactiveness in finding solutions could not be greater.

Horrific natural disasters such as floods have previously caused serious immediate destruction, with a significant recovery time, or in some cases irreversible damage.

Innovative technology to allow habitation on water has become prevalent in places at most risk from sea level rise, namely the Netherlands. The hybrid living solution, known well as a houseboat, has advanced to satisfy modern standards.

Floating communities have been successfully established in towns. This type of development has proven to be extremely efficient, due to their flexibility of reconfiguration, self-sufficiency and ability to connect to the infrastructure system.

Indeed, this idea has extended to a modular floating metropolis, and even ‘waterscrapers’.

The concept of living alongside water is not new - in the 1970s, visionary projects imagined whole villages on the ocean floor, and the world’s first underwater hotel, Jules Undersea Lodge, Florida, was opened in 1986. Progression of climate change could see the reignition of an interest in underwater settlements and even underwater tourism. Recent futuristic designs are highly technical and often adopt biomimetic design. It is questionable however, whether these concepts would be as utopian as they appear and there is a possibility that quality of life could be

affected. Adaptation to a new reality would most likely be necessary.

How does the documentary relate to sustainability or architecture?

The documentary reiterates the inevitability of rising sea levels, leaving architects and urban planners to play a significant role in helping communities adapt. Restrictions of life on water would require the acquisition of new specialist skills and expertise, to enable a new type of highly technological design and innovation. The documentary suggests that cities would become more sustainable on water, as it allows flexibility, a higher level of efficiency and adaptability. However, it would appear that further thought is required to satisfy all areas of sustainable design: economic, environmental, social and cultural.

What are the drawbacks?

The documentary fails to address the problem of how we can reduce global warming right now and ultimately prevent the destruction of life as we know it. The emphasis is on what is needed in the future but not the steps required to achieve this.

It fails to explore the specific design details of cities on water - how the concept would achieve sustainable design, economic viability and the overall effect on the environment.

Would you recommend? Yes, especially if you have never considered amphibious living before!

2020

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Documentary review Home “Home” is a new documentary series that takes viewers on a tour of some of the world’s most intriguing dwellings. The first season, spanning nine episodes, showcases how domestic architecture is being re-evaluated across different contexts and geographical areas and is taking on radical, innovative, and highly creative forms.

Producer: Matt Tyrnauer Where can I watch it: Apple TV Review by: Ffion Douglas Purpose of the documentary The documentary highlights groundbreaking ideas and inspiring stories behind the world's most imaginative dwellings. In this globe-spanning series you meet the visionnaries who are challenging conventional concepts of “home” and rethinking how we live.

Summary and thoughts The documentary series consist of a single season of 9 episodes which takes the viewer inside the world's most extraordinary homes and unveils the boundary-pushing imagination of the visionnaries who dared to build them.

In each 30 minute episode viewers are

introduced to not only the home, but also the people living in it - in many cases the individuals who created it.

The first episode follows a father in Sweden, recreating a mediterranean climate with nurturing spaces for his autistic son by constructing a greenhouse over his family's log cabin. Not only does he show innovative architectural design, but he creates a sustainable waste water system showing viewers that even the waste leaving your house can be a valuable resource.

How does the documentary relate to sustainability or architecture?

The series demonstrates imaginative, sustainable aspects of design, such as efficient use of materials, the use of local references, and completely self sufficient systems.

The conventional concepts which are explored are developed within their own contextural references and push the boundaries of re-thinking how human beings can live.

This series relates strongly to both sustainability and architecture and provides a foundation of key insights into how we can all change the ways in which we use/build our homes to create a better future.

Would you recommend? Absolutely!

What are the drawbacks?

The majority of the episodes place an emphasis on the sentimental stories around the people inhabiting the homes. It would be nice if the show had more of a focus on the homes themselves, how they were built and how people actually live in them.

2018

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Documentary review Minimalism An ideological new wave, re-thinking priorities and consumer materialism.

Film by: Ryan Nicodemus & Joshua Fields Milburn directed by: Matt D'Avella English version by: Catalyst Where can I watch it: Netflix Review by: Tom Dutton Purpose of the documentary Minimalism is about rethinking our societal lust for material gains. Over the course of 78 minutes Ryan and Joshua take us on a tour through their newly adopted way of life, where physical possessions are cast aside in the hopes of finding happiness and meaning in simplicity.

Ryan and Joshua challenge the ideology which most of us subscribe to, consciously or not, that more goods equal more fulfilment, and this documentary follows their journey in sharing and developing this idea with others.

Summary and thoughts The idea of stepping more lightly upon the earth and becoming dependent upon less physical things and resources, is a core parallel between Minimalism and the efforts of climate change activists over the last 50 years. Minimalism is something which can be adopted to different extremes, depending upon how willing someone is to step into that unknown, away from the crutch of material goods. The reduced environmental impact is mentioned briefly through the documentary but I feel it is actually something which could be explored further as it could be considered more important than the effect on the self.

How does the documentary relate to sustainability or architecture?

One aspect of the minimalist lifestyle is the novation of 'tiny houses'. The documentary discusses how house footprints per person have tripled since the 60s, yet the personal storage industry has amassed a 204M m² footprint, all due to the advent of cheaper and more readily available goods.

The show explores how architecture informs this lifestyle and how families have adapted their lives to live in tiny apartments and tiny houses, designed to ensure that the inhabitants utilised 100% of the space, which change the habits of the occupants.

Most interesting of all was the responses

of these individuals, commenting on how the simplicity they had found through this extreme architecture and possession-lite life had led to them feeling less stressed and more able to enjoy their life, free from burdens of debt and servitude to their 'stuff'.

It is quite ingrained in our societal psyche that bigger is better, that success and wealth allows you to buy bigger and better things and that these should be aspirations for everybody. This expands into our architectural culture and impacts not only the design work that we as architects do, but the significant environmental impact of the construction industry. The challenges relished and met by the architects designing to a minimalist ideology resulted in spaces which were compact without being claustrophobic and in my eyes truly typified the core purpose of architecture; problem solving.

What are the drawbacks?

The documentary did not go further into the reasons behind our current psychological desire for more and more belongings. As the antithesis, consumerism is so core to the story of the minimalist ideology and is not explored enough, particularly with regards to architecture. With that being said regardless of your opinions on the topic this is a must watch, if only to widen your perspective.

Would you recommend? Yes, expand your worldview!

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The diagram below helps to visually represent the volume of architectural materials that can be produced for one tonne of CO2 emissions. The larger the square, the more material that can be manufactured for the same quantity of CO2 emissions.

Therefore the bigger and greener the shape, the better the material is for the environment! Something to think about when making your design decisions

Low carbon actions

Tips to design more sustainably Scale of carbon