WEEK 9

This week we continued working on the group poster in the studio trying to find ways in which we could be cohesive whilst still having independent areas, we decided that we should all work within the area of the garden/courtyard meaning that if I wanted to do the bathrooms when id have to find a way to move these outside to work with everyone else's schemes. throughout the day there was some animosity within the group due to different methods of working however eventually these were overcome by communicating.

we found out that a lot of our ideas and plans were all somehow linked to anti anti- hostile designs and the theory of making things comfortable and making people want to spend time in an area including those that may not have somewhere else to go.

people want to provide a sense of solidarity to those suffering from the growing issue and aim to call out the injustice of governmental policy surrounding homelessness.” Therefore, in many ways, the discussion around Hostile Architecture is located at the epicenter of broader debate – social exclusion vs. social inclusion – and the people having these debates are private developers, city governments, real estate developers on one side, and social workers, communities and urbanists on the other. Hostile Architecture is an expression of power and challenges the overall notion of a true public space for everyone (Brennecke, 2023).It is important for our designs and the community centre to remember that everyone should feel welcome and like its a place they want to go even if its for a performance, a cup of coffee or to use any of the facilities.

Through working we came up with the idea of self composting toilets which can be used to help grow things in the garden and be used in the kitchen to prepare food for the cafe therefor it helps the community centre begin to be more environmentally friendly. the showers that will also be used will collect the water so it can be reused again to water the plants. I decided on not using the existing shed due to its structure needing work and instead using prefabricated sheds or storage containers for my design.

Self-composting toilets are a type of toilet system designed to treat human waste through the process of aerobic decomposition. Instead of relying on water and sewage systems, these toilets use natural processes to break down human waste into compost. This type of toilet is typically used in off-grid areas, eco-friendly homes, caravans , and remote locations where water supply or wastewater disposal is limited or unavailable.

In a self-composting toilet, human waste is mixed with organic materials such as sawdust, peat moss, or coconut coir, which help to absorb moisture and facilitate the breakdown of waste. The system is designed to keep waste in a contained environment where it decomposes over time, turning into nutrient-rich compost. Some self-composting toilets feature a venting system to reduce odors and a mechanical component to mix the waste and promote aeration for faster decomposition.

Why Are Self-Composting Toilets Good?

Water Conservation: One of the primary benefits of self-composting toilets is that they do not require water for flushing. Traditional toilets use a significant amount of water (up to 3-6 gallons per flush), whereas self-composting toilets can help conserve this precious resource, especially in areas prone to water scarcity or drought.
Environmental Benefits: These toilets are highly sustainable because they reduce water pollution and help recycle nutrients back into the soil. Instead of flushing waste into a septic system or wastewater treatment plant, which can be energy-intensive, self-composting toilets promote natural processes and reduce environmental strain.
Waste Reduction: Self-composting toilets help to divert waste from landfills and sewage systems, reducing the overall environmental impact of waste management. This is especially valuable in off-grid locations where waste disposal can be a challenge.
Nutrient-Rich Compost: The end result of the composting process is nutrient-rich organic material that can be used to enrich soil, making it ideal for gardening or landscaping (though human compost is typically not used for food crops, due to safety concerns, it can be used for non-edible plants or landscaping).
Off-Grid and Remote Locations: For people living in remote areas without access to municipal sewage systems, self-composting toilets are an ideal solution. They are relatively low-maintenance and can be installed in places where plumbing and traditional septic systems would be difficult or expensive to install.
Low Maintenance: While regular maintenance is required (such as adding composting material and ensuring proper aeration), self-composting toilets do not require the frequent cleaning or expensive plumbing repairs that conventional toilets might need. In many cases, the waste breakdown process occurs relatively autonomously with minimal intervention.
Odor Control: With proper management, self-composting toilets can be virtually odor-free. Ventilation systems help expel odors, and the decomposition process generally results in minimal smell when compared to traditional waste treatment methods like septic tanks or public sewer systems.
Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Living: Self-composting toilets align with sustainability goals, offering a practical solution for individuals and communities seeking to reduce their environmental footprint. They contribute to a more self-sufficient and sustainable lifestyle by reducing reliance on municipal infrastructure and promoting waste recycling.

I then read some of Jane Bennetts text regarding the productive power of food which says that once ingested food becomes part of us and is turned into energy. I found this interesting as I wanted to keep the people attending the centre energised so that they can perform well.

we spoke as a group about how sustainable we wanted to be and decided to use a lot of reclaimed and recycled materials such as scaffold boards and steel piping but also keep quite an organic colour palette throughout so that the spaces all flowed well together,