David Belt, a successful developer and construction consultant and manager, is interested in urban renewal and the greening of America. He created a stir when he created do-it –yourself swimming pools made from dumpsters. In another project, Glassphemy, Belt and his team of architects endeavored to make recycling more exciting. This project allowed participants to hurl glass bottles from a 20-foot high, 30-foot long steel tower at friends, enemies, and loved ones who are safely shielded behind bulletproof glass (sort of like a modern dunking tank without the dunking). The idea for a structure that facilitated smashing bottles in a fit of was born at an Infill Philadelphia conference, where the Community Design Collaborative brought together innovative minds to reconsider under-utilized urban spaces. The attraction closed October 17th, 2010 at the end of a contest for the best way to utilize the recycled glass. Macro Sea has also rehabilitated deserted vacant lots and strip malls in Detroit into skate parks. It will be interesting to see what is next for Macro Sea.
Sources:
Ryzik, M. (2010). A Smashing Idea: Eco-Friendly Aggression, The New York Times, May 11 (Retrieved online at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/12/arts/design/12glass.html)
Video. (2010). Recycling with a Vengeance. The New York Times, May 11. Â (Retrievable online at http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/05/11/arts/1247467823158/recycling-with-a-vengeance.html)Â
Questions:
1. What is your opinion of “green business”? Is it a good idea? Why or why not?
2. Who are some of the top corporate adopters of sustainability?
3. What effects do you think that a company gains from adoption of a sustainability policy (both quantitative and qualitative)? Justify your answer.Â
4. Which Macro Sea idea do you think has the greatest potential for making a difference in the “greening of America”? Why?
Sources:
Ryzik, M. (2010). A Smashing Idea: Eco-Friendly Aggression, The New York Times, May 11 (Retrieved online at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/12/arts/design/12glass.html)
Video. (2010). Recycling with a Vengeance. The New York Times, May 11. Â (Retrievable online at http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/05/11/arts/1247467823158/recycling-with-a-vengeance.html)
