Using Recyclable Materials to Renovate Libraries - Paper Example

Abstract

Using recyclable materials to renovate libraries is an approach that reduces waste and minimizes emission of carbon to the environment. There is less pollution on the land and minimal hazardous material. Decorating walls, floor, and ceiling with old timber and waste concrete makes the floor and ceiling strong. Waste furniture is re-painted, while newspapers are cut in strips to form decorative pieces on the wall. Rearranging furniture and shelves and reinforcing them with small pieces of timber makes shelves strong to stay for a long time. Although heating waste plaster to 160 degree Celsius is costly, it is beneficial because it renovates the walls. There are sponsors and donors who offer to support projects that are friendly to the environment. Leadership in energy and environment design (LEED) strategy identifies recyclable materials that ensure the surrounding buildings are friendly to the environment. Redesigning a library creates more space, provides access to the internet and allows collaboration.

Recycled interiors - A mindful Design approach for libraries

IntroductionRecycled interiors are a way of reusing and rearranging what is already there and building it with furniture and objects that are designed locally and sustainable. The design method uses vintage, upcycled pieces at the library and second-hand materials (Leneski & Traci, 2011). The designers remove self-check long lines that block the way. They push off the holds section to open up the entry to the exterior views. Recycling the interior design of a library involves removing visual and physical impediments to access resources in the library. Reorganizing furniture and removing doors creates a welcoming area. Paired and unified displays ensure fixtures have extra impact. Uncluttering materials on the wall having signs and directions remove congestion in the library. Unifying furniture and using related colors and form creates a relaxing feeling in the room. The process of zoning the interior involves examining the space and considering noise to avoid conflicts. Library shelves and building architecture create an enclosure sense (Leneski, 2011). Proper lighting shapes space.

Varying levels of light cues behavior. More light encourages exploration. The designers choose furniture produced through sustainable means and recycled materials. The materials are considered alongside vintage pieces and upcycled materials. Adding gorgeous workbenches produces different meanings that appeal to the readers (Sens & Leed, 2009). Products chose under recycled interior design approach for libraries ensure that people minimize waste and live healthily. Use of recycled materials in a library connects more readers and researchers because upcycling pieces of furniture, objects, and materials with long histories connect people with them and opens more opportunities for one to be extra creative.

Scope of the projectThe project begins by defining recycled materials and redesigning the old library. It gives the significance of carrying out the project in libraries, the timeline, and estimated expenses as well as expected donors.

Significance of using recycled materials in librariesRecycled materials are cheap and easily acquired from construction sites and the environment. Recycled newspaper strips form attractive wall hanging, which hides the original state of the wall. Recycled bricks help create additional walls that add space for all types of users. Separating desks with recycled timber develops privacy especially those with laptops.

Objective of using recycled materialsTo reduce carbon footprint

To increase space

To widen library roles

To improve collaboration in the library

To allow more people access library services

Significance of the studyThe proposed study aims at educating the public on the importance of recycling waste construction materials. Waste construction materials such as plastics, broken tiles, bricks, and plaster are useful when recycled. Recycled materials create a clean environment free from pollution and carbon emissions. The materials renovate walls, ceilings, and floors of worn out buildings.

The aim is to reduce carbon footprint. Recycled interior involves making choices which ensure ethical processes and fair trade are positioned around products used when decorating and designing libraries.

Case studyThe Littauer Library is the case study because it is committed to reducing the emission of greenhouse gases to below 30% by 2016.

The renovation project in Littauer library involved the addition of space to allow students use their laptops and conduct discussion groups. The picture represents the updated form of the library in 2012. It has transformed according to the upcoming technology. The library allows students to study quietly and conduct research-using laptops. There are many resources available electronically. Thus students access few books. More than 40% of the collection was transferred to Harvard central library to create room for laptop spaces. There is more space for collaboration among students and more room for students having debates and discussions.

MethodologyThe research will use leadership in energy and environment design (LEED) strategy to identify recyclable materials that ensure the surrounding buildings are friendly to the environment.

Materials usedUsing the Leadership in Energy and environment design (LEED), there are many options to redesign a library.

Wall and ceilingThe library walls and ceilings benefit from recycled materials such as old newspapers; PET plastic, denim, glass wool, and fiberglass create insulation. Used plaster and plasterboard offcuts and waste are good recyclable materials for use on the walls and floors. Heating it to 160 C for many hours removes moisture locked inside them making them dry up.

After drying and crushing the mixture, it forms a powder which is reactivated to form new plaster after adding water (Center for science and environment, 2014).

FloorTiles are important to construct and decorate floors and walls. Waste glass and porcelain make good tiles if arranged in the right order.

CeilingReclaimed timber performs better than new one when positioned as beams and ceiling joints. Aged timber does not shrink and twist further. Thus it adds great stability to the ceiling. Second-hand wood is more appealing and has higher quality than new timber.

Newsprint stripsNewsprint strips are recycled materials, which are handwoven using a loom and backed up with paper to form eco-friendly wall coverings. Using larger strips of newspapers reveals great color and life (Simon, 2010). The C&D waste is recycled to form aggregates, which are converted into the ready-mix, concrete (RMC), kerbstones, concrete bricks and pavement blocks.

FloorsRecycled glass and concrete form ice stone surfaces that are friendly to the environment because they are stronger and resistant to heat. The glass surfaces stay stronger than limestone, granite, and marble. Ice stone surfaces are an alternative to natural stone.

Top NotchCopper shingles from recycled copper are stylish and friendly to the environment. They are affordable than tile. They are used for new roofs and re-roofing projects. They offer architectural accents including cupolas, overhangs, and gazebos.

Deck defyingA combination of recycled plastics and wood fibers are composite decking products for use when enjoying a deck. They are availed in natural grain finishes and do not require staining. They absorb little moisture (Popovec, 2018). There is approximately 21% recycled content used as a percentage of materials cost. The workers renovating the library used no-VOC adhesives, coatings, paints, and sealants.

Clear tile (Shaw contract group)Recycled content (13% post-consumer and 28% pre-consumer), green label plus, NSF 140 platinum, Cradle to cradle silver certified.

Dry wall (USG) Recycled content (5% post-consumer and 95% pre-consumer), regionally extracted, Ontario, Canada-308 miles.

Light Gauge metal frame (Dietrich) Recycled content (37% post-consumer and 17% pre-consumer), regionally extracted (sparrows point, MD-354 miles), and regionally manufactured (Booton, NJ-198 miles).

Performa2 (IZZY) The performa2 chair is Greengard certified; upholstery selected from Momentum textiles and is a collection of recycled fabric as well as PVC-free vinyl. It has interchangeable components that extend its life.

Action office system (Herman Miller, Inc)The Herman Miller, Inc. system consists of 40% recycled content without VOC's. It is a green guard and cradle to cradle certified. It is made of FSC wood (Harvard Kennedy School, 2014).

Tu Pedestal files (Herman Miller, Inc.The Files contain 98% recycled steel. It is a green guard and cradle to cradle certified.

Creation and application of knowledgeThe construction industry is growing at a higher rate than before. The constructed area is expected to widen up to 70 percent by 2030. Although buildings are at a higher demand than long ago, there is a lot of created waste. The construction and demolition waste comes from construction, maintenance, and disposal phases of buildings. Much of the waste is draining into seas to fill the lakes and rivers. Demolition waste, excavation soil, roadwork, and complex waste have great use of recycled. It is important to adopt proper measures of standardization, codes, and schedule of rates when using recycled materials. Removing poor policy and educating people allows them to think further about the usage of waste construction materials. Making use of waste materials creates a clean environment free from land and soil pollution.Hazardous waste is eliminated from recyclable waste and buried. The recycling approach attracts donors and sponsors who finance ongoing projects.

Collaborative opportunitiesThe project is estimated to cost more than 100 dollars, which is very expensive. As the project continues, donors and sponsors are important to finance the project.

Timeline of the projectSemester week task

7 1 Conducting prior visit to the library

7 2 Writing down areas requiring renovation in the library

7 3 Searching for waste materials available in the construction sites and environment

7 4 Requesting the library officers for the best date to carry out the renovation

7 5 Calculating money required for recycling and collecting waste materials

7 6 Renovating the library using recycled materials

ReferencesHarvard Kennedy School. (2014).Littauer Library. Harvard Kennedy School, 1-4.

Leneski, Traci. (2011). 10 steps...