Ryusuke Baba - YTAA 2020 Asia Finalist

Research for a sustainable renovation method using marine polluted garbage

In 2050, it is predicted that "the total weight of plastic garbage flowing into the ocean will be greater than the total weight of fish in the ocean." I created a handbook of easily recycled plastic materials for architectural purposes and put forward a prototype using them. The plan is to collaborate with international environmental conservation NGO.

“Is there any way to help the ocean?” A friend of mine, a Japanese surfer who is a representative of student surfers, suddenly asked me one day. This project started collaborating with an international environmental conservation NGO, Surfrider Foundation. In 2050, it is predicted that "the total weight of plastic garbage flowing into the ocean will be greater than the total weight of fish in the ocean." I created a handbook of easily recycled plastic materials for architectural purposes and put forward a prototype using them. The plan is to collaborate with international environmental conservation NGOs with the aim of building architecture that alleviates plastic pollution.

First, an experiment was conducted to convert waste plastic into architecture materials. Taking safety precautions, plastic bottles were selected from the plastic garbage and heated. In order to make the joints, special equipment was used. However, the panels and rods were manufactured by home cooker and DIY tools in a way that could be replicated by those without construction experience. Based on the results of this experiment we will create a self-recycling tectonic handbooks to allow volunteers to try to renovate themselves at workshops. Next, regarding the practice, in this plan, the renovation plan of the old wooden house, which was used as the former headquarters of NGO, by self-recycling build using marine garbage. The ceiling is made of a loose vault-shaped ceiling using "Handbook 3, a Hybrid rod of plastic bottles and fishing ropes", with the intention of making it possible to visually recognize the space where plastic garbage inside is turned into a building resource from the streets.It was also intended to recall the sea surface by partially thinning the ceiling frame or changing the curvature. The wooden lattice supporting the ceiling is composed by a combination of "Handbook 1: Architecture joints made of waste plastic regenerated resin" and re-cutting the exterior material of the dismantled part. The floor seats at the back were made of plastics flooring with "Handbook 2: Waste Plastic Recycled Plywood", and were set up so that you could take off your shoes and feel the texture of the recycled architecture materials with your feet.In addition, I proposed two alternatives: a small pavilion that was made from an arbor, mobile garbage bin and a recycle bin, and a common corridor made from sea garbage. This project was awarded first prize in the JIA Graduate School Master Design and received support from about 100 people through crowdfunding. At present, we are now able to start the first phase of NGO renovation work with the funds raised.