▪ UNDERSTANDING UPCYCLED MATERIALS

Arrangement of urinals

It shall be important to provide basic elbow space and consideration shall be given to privacy. The arrangement shall vary according to the size and shape of the available space. But proper circulation, movement space, functional use of fixtures and fittings shall not be ignored. Avoid installation of series of wash basins with mirror at right angle or opposite to the urinals. A suitable storage space for brooms, cleaning agents etc, should be made. The location of flushing cistern, screen height, constant water supply should also be taken into account.

3.7 UNDERSTANDING UPCYCLED MATERIALS

Up- cycling refers to an action where wasted material is given a new use or function of higher quality. It is a method of recycling which does not degrade the initial composition of material but re-invents it. The idea became especially popular now with the concepts of sustainable and 'green' living pursuing anti-consumerist approach. However, this phenomenon is not new and was practiced as long as discarded materials exist. It was especially significant with "counter- culture" movement of Hippies in late 1960s. The main focus of movement was how to sustain free living out of formal society leftovers.59 It can be well illustrated with one of the most influential hippie commune Drop City where homes were made out of waste, mainly scrap metal and wasted car roofs. Such phenomenon proves that one can live out of waste of the abundant consumerist society. Level of creativity expressed by Hippie strategy towards re-using discarded materials can inform designers about possible future function of product to serve user after the primary function is completed. This idea was tested with Alfred Heineken in collaboration with architect John Habraken to design a beer bottle which could serve as a brick afterwards. Even though discarded materials can be re-invented in creative ways, products should be designed with greater consideration for possible future use without need of being recycled. That refers to the concept of cradle to cradle. Up- cycling is also favoured by many artists not only because it is cheap way of sourcing art but also it is greatly about pursuing ideas and concepts with available materials. These artworks rise awareness of consumerist society as well as delivers interesting and aesthetically pleasant results. Building with available materials is documented in "Garbage Warrior" were architect Mike Reynolds shares an idea of Earthship design.60 He has developed a method of building off- grid house using discarded materials wherever possible such as drink cans, glass bottles and scrap metal. Earthship design proves the value of wasted material through re-use action. Even more, it emphasizes the idea of DIY using available and usually free of charge materials creating a high end results.

There is good evidence that discarded materials have a potential to be up-cycled in art or architectural interventions. To pursuit these interventions there is a need to understand waste flow and their availability. Recycle city initiated by 2012 Architects use a term of harvest map to reflect available waste materials in the area of project.61 This tool helps to maximize ecoefficiency of project by reducing transportation cost and carbon footprint. It is also a method towards eco-design which should be applied in up-cycling space interventions.