2008 Gallery of Entries

Category: Innovation   |  Tier: Professional Built

entry thumbnail Entry #26
Clean-Up: Dirt Built / Cement Made
To use Portland Cement as a means of neutralizing materials otherwise headed for landfill, and develop a method by which difficult to recycle media (i.e. post consumer waste plastics or toxically compromised soil) can be used to facilitate sustainability. I am using the innate characteristics of one material to negate the negative characteristics of another material, and developing a remediation, recycling, and building strategy that can be easily replicated by anyone, anywhere in the world.
entry thumbnail Entry #27
PlanetReuse
PlanetReuse.org is an on-line resource that provides homeowners, architects, decon professionals and local municipalities with an industry solution to find, reclaim and sustainably deconstruct and reclaim building materials. PlanetReuse was created to enable material reuse at all levels, from residential, commercial to municipal and this successful concept, continues to remove common barriers associated with material reuse and is pushing forward in completing a buildings' Life Cycle.
entry thumbnail Entry #45
Post-tensioned steel rammed earth (PSRE)
A patented construction method for structural rammed earth wherein walls are post-tensioned to enhance the ability of the wall to receive lateral loading without failing tension—giving seismic stability to earthen construction. Post-tensioning rods, anchored to a concrete footing and fitted with protective sleeves, are placed between temporary, reusable forms in which an earthen mixture is compacted. Post-tensioning rods extend through a bond beam and torque is applied to nuts on top of beam.
entry thumbnail Entry #67
Why cut & ship endangered forests around the world
Millions of tons of wood waste are generated annually from: new construction, building demolition, manufacturing, transportation, urban forests and retirement of wood products. Much of this wood is considered worthless for a variety of reasons: old age, rough appearance, small lot size, small physical size, disbursement, and work required to make it marketable and profitable. What is needed is a truly innovative product that is simple and affordable and will promote the value and use.