Using Sensors To Create Reactive Environments

Can a building be alive? Can a smart passive system save energy and create comfort for the user?

The final project in studio this semester was to explore the usefulness of information technology tools towards accomplishing goals of sustainability. The working hypothesis is that artifacts that are able to sense and respond to changing environmental data could provide more comfortable spaces that consume fewer overall resources.



With the assistance of Bryce Beamer, we would learn about ARDUINO, sensor controls, and how to make an object that could react to inputs to increase human comfort ranges. We divided into two teams after learning the basic code structure to work on conceptual designs. One team being Cass and Colm, the other being David, Maryn, and myself. Our team started thinking about ways to change a roof structure so that it could allow heat and light while preventing rain and without compromising insulation.

Reactive Roof Panel

Our initial design was a rectangular panel that would collect solar energy on one side, and a moving ventilation area on the other. This was a single unit trying to serve ventilation, daylighting, solar reflection, and solar collection needs. After working with this design for about a week, we thought it may be more beneficial to break the system apart and create a modular panel instead.

We then designed three panels to work together: (1) a solar thermal collection panel, (2) a daylighting panel, and (3) a ventilation panel. By changing form from a square to a hexagonal shape, it would allow us to contour the roof to non-flat surfaces. Also, by dividing the jobs into three separate panels, we are able to introduce them at different quantities to suit geography.

Building the Ventilation Panel
We met in Dave’s basement in New Jersey to prototype the ventilation panel. Unfortunately, we lacked the time and tools to create a polished model, but as you can see we made due with what we had. The panel was made of two sheets of 2" rigid polystyrene epoxied together, held within a wood frame. A plexi top would prevent precipitation from entering the module. Cutting, smoothing and preparing the foam was much more challenging than expected. If I ever would do this again I would make sure to get a hot wire to sear through it. Dave's mechanical abilities allowed him to build a complicated elbow look amazingly simple. It would pivot the foam plug up (open) or down (closed) based on the screwgun commands.

Proof Of Concept
In class we were able to successfully show the module responding to humidity, temperature, and barometer readings. The reacting mechanism failed in lifting the insulation plug up and out, due to a weak screwgun.

Overall, the assignment was a great way to introduce us to the possibilities of reactive environments. Working in balanced teams allowed us to create a successful modular roof ventilation panel. It's amazing to see that technology like this is within short reach and that it's easily implementable.

On Mixed-Use Developments

A common social understanding is it's no longer attractive to live in the suburbs where one is geographically isolated from neighbors, services, and cities. People are realizing that urban living and smarter city planning can re-create the successful community layouts of generations past.

From Wikipedia: "Throughout most of human history, the majority of human settlements developed as mixed-use environments. Walking was the primary way that people and goods were moved about, … People lived at very high densities because the amount of space required for daily living and movement between different activities was determined by walkability and the scale of the human body. This was particularly true in cities, and the ground floor of buildings was often devoted to some sort of commercial or productive use, with living space upstairs."

Today, mixed-use developments seem to be the answer when it comes to urban renewal projects, and what's not to love? — Shops, housing, restaurants, green space, and social and cultural interactions makes for an ideal place to live. Isn't that what we're hearing? Are they not the answer to re-urbanization over the next century?

Let's look at some recently completed mixed-use developments and how people are reacting to them:

1. The Piazza at Schmidts, Philadelphia, PA. Developed by Tower Investments
   From VisitPhilly.com: "Since the days of William Penn, Philadelphia’s five original squares have been prized places to rest and relax outside. And now, the Piazza at Schmidt’s — affectionately designed and named after Rome’s famous piazzas — is giving Philadelphians and our visitors a new place to hang out outside. Located in Northern Liberties, the Piazza at Schmidt’s is a 80,000 square-foot, open-air plaza with free events year-round, surrounded by three new buildings including 35 artists’ studios and boutiques and four new restaurants." Comments from Yelp Reviews:
   

   Positive: "I came here during the day on a beautiful Saturday morning to grab some brunch and see what it was all about. First I suppose I should mention that I've never been here, so it is possible I was just caught up in the modernness of it all. I love the look of the place, kind of like a planned neighborhood (like suburbs) but prettier. I'm sure the stores are expensive, but when I was there I really just wanted to see what it was all about. (…) Truly, I thought it was a great time, and a very interesting space to hang out in. I like the idea that if feels so different from Philadelphia, it basically made me want to move to the neighborhood (probably not actually in the Piazza, but a house nearby could be pretty great.) I will definitely be returning in the future to see what it's like at different times and to visit more of the shops." - Mary S
   
   Negative: "I used to live in one of these buildings. First off its way too expensive, secondly you can hear everything! … The other part about this place that bothers me is how artificial everything feels. Aly M. had a good point, why isn't there grass in the middle? … I love Northern Liberties; I've been living there for the past 2 years. There are so many fun things to do here, and the people are awesome. But the Piazza just doesn't fit in, its too fake, and trying way too hard to be cool. Plus the restaurants in there don't even come close to what you'd get at a classic place like Std. Tap (excluding Bar Ferdinand of course)." - Sean M.

2. The DOMAIN, Austin, TX. Developed by UDR
   One of many mixed-use developments cropping up around Austin (others include Triangle, Midtown Commons), the DOMAIN is the spot for high end shopping, chain restaurants, and modern living. I toured these apartments and came away very impressed with the floor plans and amenities. However the lack of a dedicated bus or rail stop that heads to downtown will be a deal-breaker for most, not to mention the restaurants and shops are all nice but expensive, and it has an exclusive feel to it. It lacks that weirdness that Austin is known for and feels like housing built around an outdoor mall. Comments from Yelp Reviews:
   

   
   Positive: "I really like how the Domain is designed. It is kind of like a nice little downtown area, with sidewalks, and I think there are apartments as well. I heard a wine bar will be opening soon, and I know a neat little gourmet grocery just opened and I can't wait to go check it out. … They have some pretty good restaurants. I have not eaten at the Steeping Room, but have enjoyed their coconut iced tea on more than one occasion. Jasper's was pretty good, we had salads and sit on the patio on a nice day for lunch (the fries were a bit saturated in grease, tho). Also love the California Pizza Kitchen. (try the white pizza & Greek salad). There are other restaurants I am dying to try. A great place to go, especially if you have self-control, shopping-wise. I do not. Especially when I go by a Coach store..." - Laura A.
   
   Negative: "The Domain reminds me of a woman who has gotten a lot of plastic surgery. She might be nuveau riche and dripping with diamonds.  She will be wearing the latest fashion.  If you're a guy, she might even be someone you'd consider jumping into the sack with, but don't let her fool you, she is definitely not as put together as she would have you believe.  There is a lot of drama lurking in her cold heart.  Approach this one with caution, she'll take your money and leave you begging for more." - Javier D.

   
   
3. Brewery Blocks, Portland, OR. Developed by Gerding-Edlen
   
   A culmination of many buildings, Brewery Blocks is a five-block shopping and professional district in Portland’s vibrant, post-industrial neighborhood known as the Pearl District. Comments from Yelp Reviews:
   

   
   Positive: "I was skeptical about the Pearl District coming in, and it has room for improvement (both figuratively and, more importantly, literally), but where it is now is already the makings of a great neighborhood. I find it odd saying this, but what it most reminded me of is the Chueca area in Madrid. There are a lot of differences between the two of course, but for some reason that was the vibe I got. And that's a good thing. If the Pearl keeps that path it will continue to be a wonderfully urban neighborhood...." - Eric M.
   
   Negative: "There is the Pearl, and there is the rest of Portland. The two are not the same. At all. Me? I prefer the rest of Portland. (…) Pearl Cons:
   * Shopping: No one needs all this crap. No one. Especially at these prices. Just stop.
   * Tanner Springs Park: I understand wanting to preserve habitat, but it strikes me as more than a little strange that we think that habitat is at its best when surrounded by high-rise condominiums.
   * Concrete Ticky-Tacky: And they (the new buildings) all look just the same.
   The biggest problem with the Pearl is its delusion of being some sort of Faux Portlandia: a mashup of Portland Bohemian with Californian Chic. The result is a scruffy, sandal-wearing, DINK couple who feel a sense of pride in paying $70 or more for their meal before driving back home in their Range Rover to their inner-eastside neighborhood (which has changed SO MUCH since they moved in when it was still a "bad area"), all the while bitching about how the city needs to "do something" about the dive joints in Chinatown." - Aaron R.

Positive Trends: Sustainable features and LEED Buildings. Providing a walkable community on pre-developed land. Located on existing urban transit infrastructure. Introduction of parks and green space. Independent restaurants, shops.
Negative Trends: Expensive housing, restaurants, and shops compared to local neighborhood. Blending of social and cultural classes creates animosity towards project.

Analysis: I find it interesting that private developers are able to create micro-communities within larger urban fabrics which are often encouraging gentrification and creating polarizing environments. By and large, these projects are necessary to move cities in a positive direction. By creating a buzz and getting people involved, these projects keep conversation alive. Because who would want a city where there's nothing to talk about?

This is an endless conversation than can spill over into development, cultural, social, and political issues. I hope this post gave you a understanding of progressive mixed-use projects that are going on today.

If you'd like to spend more time reading up on this topic, here's a few links I would recommend:

• New Mixed-Use, Transit Oriented Development Near Temple
• Mixed Bag: Builders and developers navigate the pros and cons
• Architecture Week: Mixed Use Buildings
• Related: 8 House by BIG
• Related: Modern Living by UDR

Get Your Green at Green Hill Bank

I touched on the studio project a few weeks back: Sustainable Bank of the future. After 8 intensive weeks, our project concluded with a small open house on Monday.

Our team, Green hill bank, was comprised of myself, Cass Corcoran, and Cathy Panas. We were fortunate enough to be balanced in our skill sets, with Cathy having designed banks in the past as well as having the Energy course over the summer, Cass having design knowledge and the willpower to learn Autodesk Revit, and myself knowing branding and graphic design.

The goal of the project was to design a sustainable bank that strived to be carbon neutral and also to be resilient to economic shifts over the next 30 years. More than just a design project, we had to find a way to differentiate our bank and brand from the competition, thinking about practical business practices and strategies to create a successful enterprise.

About Green Hill Bank
Our Vision: To build a healthy community by improving the quality of life utilizing sustainable methods and practices focusing on economics, individual well being, and the environment.
What We Stand For: Green hill bank is a community bank located in beautiful downtown Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania. Our objective is to build a business model and a built environment that supports the community to take a green leap forward in sustainability.

We focused on engaging the customers and tried to educate them by using our building as a showcase. The idea was that we'd have educational kiosks, and signs that speak about sustainable products in plain english, with easy to understand loan options. We also set up a mock web application that would follow their progress and allow them to track their neighbors as well.

Also, 5 other teams from the class presented very different programs and design directions, all of which came out impressive. It was a successful and rewarding project for all of us, and I'm sure we're all sleeping better at night now that it's over.

Thesis Ideas and Other Thoughts

Concepts Need To Be Focused

"Mobile Home" by Antoine Valentim

"Give me your thesis proposals by Thanksgiving"
Asked by professor Fleming last week, it's dawned on me that I'm not ready at all. Not so long ago, I wanted to just be a green builder/developer. It seemed simple enough - but I'm quickly getting interested in the psychology and policy making of urban development and housing projects. Thesis is meant to catapult us out of the MSSD program an into our respective career paths, setting the focus and niche skill-set that will be invaluable in the years to come. I'm similar to a lot of my peers: with a few ideas but need to focus them. Here are my ideas in no particular order:

• Builder focusing on sustainable and efficient homes and apartments. (Which seems the most likely career-path but also the most lame for a thesis project)
• Extremely low-cost LEED certified homes in rural areas. An extension of my position paper from last semester which asked: Can you build at a lower price point and change the surrounding community?
• Develop a modular building for use in disaster relief areas, similar to FEMA trailers. Could be build using existing mobile-home/modular strategies and stored on railcars ready for delivery. 
• Transform an existing modular or building company into a highly-efficient sustainable one.
• Working with neighborhoods or small cities to transform their waste/water/energy systems. Going way above and beyond state/federal requirements.
• Sway perception that space=better homes. Using shared resources (such as laundromats) and smaller urban housing units, moves us towards a more sustainable way of living. (Had a good argument about whether you can make people want to do this, as opposed to forcing them to accept it)

So there's my current thesis ideas. I'm open to other ideas as well, so let me hear it if you can think of anything. 

Other Thought #1:

Have you noticed all the paving projects currently going on? I have been looking for a news article to touch on this but couldn't find any. I know the Fed dolled out billions for infrastructure improvements (which I fully support), but couldn't there have been a stipulation that a percentage of these local-dollars had to benefit public transport? Be it even upgraded bus stops and walking paths along busy streets - I haven't seen anything but black asphalt being put down everywhere! Isn't this like prolonging the changes we know we have to make?

Thought #2:
This article has caught my attention: Obama Administration Rolls Out the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative. It recognizes the failures of other government initiatives, like HUD, and seeks a more comprehensive approach to neighborhood improvement. I'd be interested in working on projects like these if the opportunity presented itself.


Thought #3:

The Annual Green Building Celebration is next week, Thursday, October 21, 2010 from 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Put on by the DVGBC, it's the biggest event and the best green industry networking opportunity of the year and will feature the presentation of their 2010 Leadership Awards. Come if you want to meet some great people and collect a lot of business cards as you drink beer and good food. I'll be working one of the tables for two hours or so, signing people up for either the Emerging Professionals committee or general DVGBC registration. Hope to see some of you there!

Electrical For Espresso Machine

Just a quick update. Last weekend I went over to The Pillar hoping to install an espresso machine. Unfortunately, it didn't come with instructions and this is a BIG problem - it's a very complicated and delicate machine. After doing a bit of research, I found out it's best to give it a dedicated breaker on a 10-2 line (20amp, 220v). I hard-wired the machine in and also gave it a shutoff switch that will be accessible behind the unit.

In addition, I added a few more service GFCI outlets on their own breaker along 12-2. Thinking into the future, they may want to do more accent or spotlighting on the service area and cafe so I hid some extra wire behind the panel. Always plan ahead...



Note that we can now paint and mount shelving on the backsplash and also add accent lighting. A professional recommended by the manufacturer is coming to finish the install, as I'm out of my league on this one.

Studio Project: A Community Bank of the Future

Studio assignment for this semester is to design a Sustainable Bank of the Future on a car dealership lot in Chestnut Hill. It's a huge 20,000 SF building on Germantown Ave. Located in the heart of Chestnut Hill, it's a walkable neighborhood in northwest section of Philadelphia that is a destination for shopping, restaurants and family fun.

Sounds silly, but a bank of the future isn't all that different than current banking practices. However, it's about finding the right match of services and products that position it to be successful for years to come, all while operating under a triple bottom line philosophy.

Triple Bottom Line, also known as "people, planet, profit", captures an expanded spectrum of values and criteria for measuring success: economic, ecological and social. Organizations usually govern themselves within these principles and publish some form of corporate social responsibility report. (You'll notice these appearing on annual reports and company web sites. Understand that many companies jumping on the sustainability bandwagon publish these reports and they lack substantial meaning.)

This bank needs to have a community focus, strive to be carbon-neutral or greater, and profitable (hello, it's a bank!). With the given site I've been thinking of ways to re-introduce green space as well as bringing in the public. I'm leaning towards ripping up all of the asphalt and doing a farming co-op. Space for an adult education center can get citizens involved and excited about residential improvements and opportunities - thus being eligible for home-improvement and other business loans from our bank! Check out my cartoon site plan below.

Our current program:

• Sustainable bank (4,000 SF) in NE Corner of Building.
• Asphalt to green space and farming
• Cafe (2,000 SF) and farmer's market (3,000 SF) in the NW corner of building. 
• Sustainable Children's Playhouse (distract the little ones while you're involved in other on-site activities) (6,000 SF)
• Educational Center/Classroom and Working Shop (5,000 SF)

Current strategies we're going to try to implement:

• Rainwater Harvesting from the huge roof
• Daylighting opportunities through strategic window placements
• Photovoltaic arrays on the…
• White-roof (reflects solar heat gain and collects rainwater faster than green roofs)
• Natural ventilation

An 8-week project, we're just getting started so this is more of an introduction to the project, as well as an arena for discussion about possible direction.

Any ideas you'd like to see here?

Current Projects: Sealing Prep for Fiber Cement Paneling

Just wanted to keep my readership (two or 3 readers) updated on what I've been up to. This past weekend I was working at a friends house in the Germantown area of Philly. The siding is going to be modern-looking fiber cement panels, as seen on local projects by SoLibs and Postgreen Homes, installed by yours truly.

Here's a few early photos of the insulation board, air sealing techniques, and re-used Trex decking composite used for the fiber cement support structure. We're installing 1" rigid foam on the exterior, with taped joints and silicone and tar sealing techniques along the brickwork, widows, and doors. This is going to be our main waterproofing layer so it's imperative that no area is left vulnerable to water penetration.

Once this is secured, I started to build the framework to support the fiber cement panels. You can buy channels and supports of wood or stainless steel, but the recycled Trex is perfect - a material that won't rot or warp.  Usually, you run your supports vertically to allow the water to flow quickly out through the bottom, but in some areas I'm forced to do horizontal supports. In these instances, small water channels were cut to keep water from pooling.

Comments or disagree with my methods? Let me hear it in the comments.

Quick Vid: Copenhagen Car-Free Streets

Here's a short video showing streets where Copenhagen removed the vehicles and in turn created a better place to walk, ride, and live. What would it take to transform streets here into pedestrian friendly havens like this? Copenhagen's Car-free streets & Slow-speed zones from Streetfilms on Vimeo.

Also check out this link from TreeHugger About Copenhagen Bike Lanes

A Flawed American Dream

Forget for a minute everything you know about your life and how you live it. Forget your friends and neighbors. Forget about politics and economy. Forget your bills and your job... Now picture a place where people live together, friends, family, neighbors, strangers. They share good ideas and experiences, growing up and raising each other as a community and without competition. Peaceful, friendly, utopian.

Now add the American Dream. def Wikipedia: The American Dream, sometimes in the phrase "Chasing the American Dream," is a national ethos of the United States in which freedom includes a promise of prosperity and success. In the American Dream, first expressed by James Truslow Adams in 1931, citizens of every rank feel that they can achieve a "better, richer, and happier life."

The problem is how we define that better, richer, and happier life. We see better as being smarter and more cultured than our peers. We see richer as being wealthier and having nicer things than our neighbor. We see happier as some intangible improvement over yesterday.

One of my largest takeaways from European culture was their ability to be happy with what they have today. There's no talk of the future as if it's all going to be green pastures, they are able to enjoy the moment more so than we are.

As our culture has looked to fulfill these with items we can purchase; houses, cars, electronics. This issue is compounding ALL of the larger issues we face: (1) Housing Downturn: Unrealistic expectation of ever-increasing home values. (2) National Security: Arrogance and standard of living creates envy and animosity. (3) BP Oil Spill: Manufacturing of petrol-based goods. (4) Wall Street: I needn't say much.

The problem is with entitlement, I struggle with it myself more often than I'd like to admit. I drive a small and old pickup truck. I bought it as a tool to help me work. It's perfectly functional, quite utilitarian, and gets me from point A to point B. I find myself wanting a newer vehicle, one with more room and more creature comforts. Do I really need something newer if what I have is good enough? I have a two year old iPhone, it's beat up but still works. I feel that I should get a new one, that I deserve it. Clothing, computers, the list goes on. I don't NEED these, yet I catch myself wasting time thinking about items. Is it because my friends have such things and I feel as though I'm less because of it?  I try to catch myself when I start to think that these will in some way enhance my life. What do you find yourself thinking about?

We all do it, and rarely slow down to realize what the American Dream is: That we already have a better, richer, and happier life than those before us. We have the ability to enjoy life more than ever before. So please, slow down.

Why Smaller Apartments Actually Provide More

I guess the best way to start this is to describe my current, uncomfortable apartment. It's 12' wide and 40' deep, with one entry and one window (both at the front of the apartment). Upon entering is a shared kitchen and living space, then a small hallway with a bath, and finally the bedroom in the back with no windows. While measuring 480 sq ft, I always laughed about the size of my small apartment.

Then I visited Europe. My housing in Copenhagen was inside of a shared housing building called a Kollegium - an efficiency sized at a mere 10' x 20'. That's less than 1/2 the size of my Conshohocken apartment, yet the arrangement didn't make me feel any more uncomfortable or claustrophobic. The reason? - A smarter use of space. It sounds simple when you think about it, but I was amazed at the ability to fit both my kitchen and bathroom into around 80 sq ft. With a narrow small kitchen and a bath where the shower was directly worked into the floor design, the space was able to be recycled for the use of the occupant. Abundant storage allowed me to keep my items organized and out of sight. A bed, desk, TV, and sitting chair sat in the rest of the room. The far wall was almost completely comprised of glass and a large window that acted like a door. The abundance of light and ventilation also added the the feeling of space.

Why does this matter? I instantly thought back to my position paper on sustainability that I wrote last fall where I tried to design and estimate the cost of a one-bedroom home. The goal was to provide basic housing, not extra space. At the time I thought I was designing a very small space, but after this experience I started re-thinking the scale. I'm not an interior designer but I thought I had given modest space to occupants that would be living here. Looking back, I may have been thinking too large, too American.

This has filled my thoughts for the past few days - Can we bring smaller designs here and why haven't they been successful here? Can these smaller kitchens and dwellings enhance neighborhood interactions by encouraging  you to go out to eat and out to meet your friends?

I love the layout of the Manchester apartments by Abito - Small, compact, beautiful. We are doing the same thing here, take a look at Philly's own ThinFlats. What jumps out immediately is our demand for space; more rooms, larger kitchens and baths, larger bedrooms, etc. It makes sense for a developer to add bedrooms when space isn't an issue, it's an very inexpensive way to increase the price of a home. But when space and land is at a premium, it's more profitable to make smaller units to increase the amount of units. Are builders and developers here afraid to build smaller? Or are they, and most likely, just delivering what Americans want. I know there's a lot more to this discussion, if you have anything to say let me hear it.

Oslo, Voss, and Bergen on the Norway Study Tour

At the end of classes, we had a 4-day study tour planned to visit 3 cities in Norway; Oslo, Voss, and Bergen. Joining us on the trip would not be our professor, but instead the program assistant, Emilio, as well as 

Saturday night we took an overnight cruise to Oslo, Norway. It was my first time on a cruise, it was amazing how incredibly large the ship was, hundreds of rooms, a half a dozen places to eat, a spa, movie theater, duty-free shops, and even a discotheque. After an evening of drinks I ended up at the disco with a few new friends, out of character but it was a blast. The weather was wet and cold, but waking up early to watch the ship maneuver through the straight was impressive.

Arriving in Oslo, the first thing we noticed was the striking white marble and granite Opera House. A quick summary via About.com:

Approaching the Oslo Opera house on an overcast day, you may imagine that the building is an enormous glacier sliding into the fjord. White granite combines with Italian marble to create the illusion of glistening ice. The sloping roof angles down to the water like a jagged chunk of ice. Completed in 2007, the Oslo Opera House (Operahuset in Norwegian) reflects the landscape of Norway and also the aesthetics of its people. The government wanted the new Opera House to become a cultural landmark for Norway.

After getting to our hotel, we walked as a group to the Nobel Peace Center for a guided tour of the main exhibit: Strengths and Convictions. The exhibit was about South Africa's struggle for democracy and dealing with apartheid. The lives of the four remarkable men Albert Luthuli, Desmond Tutu, FW de Klerk and Nelson Mandela, converge and divide as South Africa’s history unfolds. Their stories are told through photos, films and art never previously shown in Norway. It is constructed around a timeline depicting 100 years of South African history, with visual art used as a matrix for the life and times of the four laureates. Upstairs was the annual exhibit, this year for President Obama's Nobel Prize entitled A Call to Action. The connections between Alfred Nobel’s will and Obama’s work for peace are emphasized in this space.

Next we went to the Edward Munch Museum. I enjoyed this more than I had anticipated, both because of the artwork and the knowledge of our guide. She had worked over 18 years at the museum and knew the history of all of the paintings. My favorite pieces were the drawings from his childhood, when he was coping with the death of his sister and mother, they are gruesome and beautiful at the same time. Security was extremely high, it was like being at a penitentiary because the Scream had been stolen a few times in the past. For more info on Edward Munch, visit Artsy’s Edvard Munch page.

Not to be content with just these two galleries, a half-dozen of us headed over to the famous Viking Ship Museum. I think this was one of my favorite places of the whole study abroad. The museum displays the Viking Age Oseberg ship, the Gokstad ship and Tune ship along with a horse cart, wood carvings, and sleds, all of which are meticulously detailed. Just a 5-minute walk away from the Viking Ship Museum was Gol Stave Church. I hadn't planned on seeing this, but it was one of those tourist days where I took photos of everything I could see. The church was beautiful in it's own way, dark and powerful, it made me feel as if I was transported back into medieval dark ages.

Oslo was a small city, we were able to walk across most of it in about 15 minutes. It was cleaner than Philadelphia, but we instantly noticed it was less-maintained than Copenhagen. There also seemed to be more rough-looking people in the city square, people without an agenda or clean clothes. It's hard to get a good perception of a beautiful city in less than a day, but that's what happens on trips like this. Soon enough it was time to go, we packed our bags and took a 6-hour train ride to Voss, home of some of the Norwegian fjords and at the time, an extreme sports festival.

We arrived in Voss at around 11pm, and as if the late sun wasn't strange enough in Oslo and Copenhagen, it was even more strange here. Here is a photo that was taken behind our hotel, at around 11:30 at night - it didn't get much darker than this at all. The evening was spend just sitting on a patio by the lake, enjoying a few stories and drinks. Early the next day, we all gathered for our hiking trip through the Fjords - which are formed when a glacier cuts a valley by abrasion of the surrounding mountains, leaving behind awe-inspiring sights. We spent the day doing some pretty easy hiking through the mountains about 30 minutes outside of Voss. Look me up on Facebook for a lot of photos taken during this trip. Our tour guide told us a story about how trolls are a part of Nordic culture. The summer homes in the mountains were occupied by the women and children in the summertime, and when they would travel up in the spring, they would bang pots and pans to scare away the trolls. They blamed rock slides, fires, and other things on these trolls - anything unexplained that is now known with a bit of science and geology education. It was a great hike, one of my fondest memories of the trip.

Lastly, we took another train ride, this time it was a 2-hour trip to Bergen, which is located on the western shore of NorwayVoss, we spent the last two days of the trip here. The city was built as a trading post to northern Scandinavia, most of the business was cod fishing. Similar to Oslo, their diets were heavy in fish and vegetables. They have a very popular and tourist-laden fish market in the heart of downtown. I picked up some souvenirs like moose sausage and knitted hats, and also some fish soup (cheap and delicious). Then we spent time with the Bergen city government and listened to their plans to turn Bergen into a carbon-neutral city by 2050. With the introduction of a larger light-speed rail system and more public buses, they hope to consolidate growth and make public transit the more viable option to cars.

While it was ambitious, I didn't come away impressed, and perhaps that's because we had just spent two weeks in forward-thinking Copenhagen. Also, it made me respect the Philadelphia Greenworks plan set forth by Mayor Nutter. For the first time I missed and respected what we're doing in Philadelphia. No city is perfect, but great things are happening here. I guess it was the perfect last meeting we had on this trip as I started daydreaming half-way through about things I want to do here - building my network, affordable housing, community enhancements… With all of this in mind, I had plenty to think about for my trip home.

I probably missed many details - so next time you see me, strike up a conversation. Next I'll post less about me and more about some things that I've re-thought since this experience.

Copenhagen Study Abroad Recap

I just returned from the DIS (Danish Institute for Study Abroad) Summer 2 Session after a very intense 3 weeks of classes and cultural immersion. I want to summarize up everything that happened, but I feel that anything I could squeeze into one post won't do it justice. Instead, I'll give a rundown of the events and activities, and then later go into some events in depth.

I flew put of Philadelphia the night of June 11th and arrived Saturday around noon in Copenhagen. The flight seemed to take forever because of both my excitement and uncertainty, also it was an 8 hour flight… Upon arriving, I met a few other students and we took a bus to the heart of Copenhagen where DIS is located. Picked up a temporary cell phone and public transit pass and then was shuttled to my living arrangements. My apartment was a small efficiency in Keops Kollegium, north of the city by a 10 minute bus ride. We had a pizza social and I met a few of the people living near me. The rest of the evening was spent settling in and getting internet hooked up.

Sunday morning I got up early to go for a run (only one of the trip) to explore the neighborhood. Some early observations that were reinforced as the trip went on:

1. It's a bicyclers paradise, with dedicated lanes and plenty of service and sales shops. Streets are lined with bikes of all types, whereas in Philadelphia you rarely see them outside for fear of getting vandalized or stolen
2. Everything is quieter in the morning. At first I thought this was just because this was a Sunday morning, but rush hour isn't until about 8:30 - 9:30. When I say rush hour, I mean packed buses and roads clogged with bikers.
3. Small cars everywhere. I have always been drawn to smaller cars, and seeing all kinds of offerings that we don't get in the US makes me jealous. Compact cars from Citroën, Peugeot, Ford, and BMW were the most common. Most all are turbo-diesel, something that Americans are demanding but have been challenged by emissions restrictions.
4. Social trust. Maybe it was the way I saw bikes and valuables outside, or the way the city seemed cleaner, or just how courteous and friendly all the locals were. Copenhagen citizens pride themselves on being polite and trustworthy, and it shows.

Later in the morning there was an introduction ceremony. A speaker talked about Danish culture and how it has been transformed over the years into the passive, content, and friendly society it is today. Caught a cool lunch with some students down by the canal, and then made our way back for the group trip to Esrum Abbey. There, we spent the afternoon doing field events such as archery and sword fighting, and followed it up by trying the beers that they make. After that, we had a DIS social back in town where they treated us to hotdogs and beer.

Class started on Monday, the course was entitled Sustainable Technology and Culture: Energy and Responses to Climate Change. There are about 20 students in the class, and 7 of us are from the PhilaU MSSD program (Rudy, Sharon, Toby, Carrie, Laura, Karen, and myself) The other students are mostly undergrad students studying everything from Environmental Policy, to Urban Development, to Geology. The class was structured so that in the mornings we would have class/lecture for about two hours, then take a break for lunch, then go to field studies in the afternoons to clean-tech companies and institutions. The professor, Nils Thorsen is a senior manager in Ernst & Young and responsible for Environment and Sustainability Services in Denmark.

Field Studies:

1. Hyldespjældet - Development in Albertslund, Denmark - The neighbourhood of Hyldespjældet consists of some 390 mainly small flats in 1 to 3 story concrete blocks, belonging to a public housing association. In the eighties, it was a “problem” neighbourhood, but now it is a safe and desirable place to live. The many green activities in Hyldespjældet have had profound effects not merely for the physical environment, but also socially. A large proportion of the inhabitants take active part in one or more activities, getting to know each other in the special way that people do through shared work for a common purpose. This has contributed to making Hyldespjældet an attractive place to live.  
2. The National Art Gallery Of Denmark - Biospheres Exhibit - Biospheres can be seen as models representing his vision for alternative types of social spaces and habitats. Taking a metaphorical, poetic approach to serious subjects such as the overpopulation of Earth, environmental issues, and migration, Tomas Saraceno seeks to create a new relation between culture and nature. This exhibit was part of the larger one called RETHINK Contemporary & Climate Change that took place during the COP15.
3. Rockwool - The Rockwool Group is the world's leading producer of stone wool - a material that improves the quality of life for millions of people and helps to alleviate environmental problems, such as the greenhouse effect, smog and acid rain. Rockwool insulation gives us pleasant indoor environments by keeping out the freezing cold. In hot climates, stone wool helps to keep indoor temperatures comfortably cool. 
4. Danmarks Naturfredningsforening (The Danish Society for Nature Conservation) - The largest nature conservation and environmental organization in Denmark. For nearly a century, the Danish Society for Nature Conservation has worked to preserve nature in Denmark and to ensure people's access to our natural surroundings. This has resulted in a unique line of preserved landscapes, views and habitats for animals and plants for us to experience and enjoy in the future.
5. Risø DTU, National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy - Risø DTU is one of Europe's leading research laboratories in sustainable energy and is a significant player in nuclear technologies. Risø creates pioneering research results and contributes actively to their exploitation, both in close dialogue with the wider society. Check out their 2009 Annual Report here.

The course packed a deluge of information to digest, I'm still going through my notes and files that I brought back. I also interviewed a clean-tech company, Liqtech. They manufacture Diesel Particulate Filters for large truck applications. I'd like to touch on that in depth as well in the future.

After the two weeks of class, we took a 4-day study tour to Norway. I'll recap that next

DVGBC Emerging Professionals Committee Earth Day of Service At the Paul Robeson House

On Saturday, April 24 DVGBC's first-ever Earth Day of Service took place. With the help of Hanson General Contracting and volunteers from the Emerging Professionals Committee, we had a great day working to restore some elements of the Paul Robeson House at 50th and Walnut in West Philadelphia.

The idea came from Hanson General Contracting, their experience in helping New Orleans prompted them to want to do similar work here in Philadelphia. In their words:

The idea for this project came after one of our members from Hanson General Contracting participated in an event to make sustainable improvements to historic houses in parts of New Orleans devastated by hurricanes Katrina and Rita; we realized that we don't have to travel to New Orleans to make historic houses more sustainable when we're surrounded by them here in Philadelphia. We teamed up with the Robeson House and West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance because their work to provide access to the arts for the citizens of West Philadelphia, market and support the development of local artists, and serve as an advocate for the power of the arts to promote social change and economic development is in concert with the goals of DVGBC's strategic plan.

Work for the day included some obvious sustainable initiatives, like replacing light bulbs and plumbing fixtures to reduce resource consumption, as well as some not-so-obvious ones, like installing an insulated roof hatch to permit easy repair of the roof in the future, reducing the number of leaks and the associated materials needed to repair them, an installing rain barrels for storage and landscaping use. All work was done in consultation with the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia to ensure that we made only historically appropriate repairs to this building where Paul Robeson, scholar, athlete, performer and human rights activist, lived in the final years of his life.

The DVGBC posted photos from the event on Facebook, I'm copying over a few here: