HOW TO:
INTEGRATED SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE
(this section is under construction)
Césare (along with Jan Jongert) coined the term 'SUPERUSE', and have been developing SUPERUSE principles, methods and tools since 1997 in their architecture practice 2012Architects, now Superuse-Studios.
The aim of the SUPERUSE method is to reduce or eliminate unnecessary movement of energy and resources in and out of the design system by connecting and interconnecting energy and resource flows within.
The SUPERUSE method starts by analysing the project for what resources already exist (and that may be wasted or under-utilised)
We identified physical, energetic, or values.
We call wasted, or under-utilised resources flows. We aim to keep these flows within the system for as long as possible.
14 flows have been identified so far:
Physical: The users, organic, food, inorganic, transport/mobility, water, air
Energetic: Electricity, heat, light, sound
Value: Skills, knowledge, finance
We call these factors 'flows'.
SUPERUSE principles
1) Transform with that which already exists
2) There is no such thing as waste.???
1) use resources which are currently under-utilised or would otherwise be wasted;
2) use ‘waste’/resources harvested from as close to the project site as possible;
3) work closely with the properties of such resources, and where appropriate, allow these to influence the final design;
4) make highly functionally integrated designs by examining each design element for its potential to perform multiple functions, and;
5) reduce or eliminate unnecessary movement of energy and resources in and out of the design system by connecting and interconnecting energy and resource flows within.
The SUPERUSE method explores and catalogues wasted resources found or 'harvested' as close to the project site as possible.
Above: Physical catalogue of waste materials harvested; Harvest materials used for the interior fit-out of MOES Restaurant, Amsterdam.
an open source web platform for sharing waste material finds.
Above: a screen-shot of the wasted materials currently mapped in the Netherlands.
One on one prototyping is done to explore the Superuse and
up-cycling potential of the waste resources harvested.
From the knowledge gained, the most appropriate harvested materials are selected to meet the project's needs.
Is an open-source platform where designers can share examples of how they have given a new superused life to wasted materials.
