Transforming Architecture Through Symbiosis: Waste as a Resource

Building on the ideas of James Fennell and Lola Scobey, this paper posits that a design studio based on symbiosis can transform architecture to use waste as a resource. We can no longer continue on the path of consumer waste building up in landfills, and must move towards a more symbiotic relationship with the environment, the community, and architecture. Fennell and Scobey coin a three-pronged process of environmental symbiosis, functional symbiosis, and cultural symbiosis that can challenge architects to improve their community while still making a profit for clients, and creating beautiful architecture. Using this model in a design studio teaches our students that economic prosperity, community, and our planet need not be at odds with one another, but can instead inspire. Students were not only tasked with designing a mixed-use project using an existing building, but also on how to build community support through educational conceptual design projects. These projects include the design of a recycling plan and recycling containers for the university, an educational sculpture to teach about the reuse of materials, and an outfit for the annual “Trashion” show. All three projects were required to use repurposed and recycled materials to not just educate the viewers of these projects, but also the students in how best to use recycled materials. This knowledge would go on to inform the students and their design of the final mixed-use symbiotic project programmed with a micro-brewery, bread baker, a community garden, and a community gathering space. All spaces in the project are also required to be educational to continue the outreach to the community well beyond the early stages of the project. Rebuilding community is one of the utmost goals of Fennell and Scobey and therefore, is an important part of the development of this project. Without community there will be no one to carry on the important ideas of symbiosis for transforming the way we use waste.

Volume Editors
David Ruy & Lola Sheppard

ISBN
978-0-935502-95-4