[Initial Thoughts]

Being a project of such magnitude, it was difficult to decide what road to take as we were not put in front of just two roads but hundreds. Ultimately, we all wanted to travel down a road that would lead us to useable results, a road that would lead us down an un treaded path, and I believe that Robert Frost put it best, as we decided to take the “road less travelled.” However, with this came many uncertainties and many due dates, which seemed to be coming way too fast. Although our time frame is short, our determination stands regardless of the tasks that lay between us and our finely polished finished product.

Okay, enough of the dramatic embellishment of what isn’t and we will try and give you an overview of the current state of what is. Here’s a tentative lists on what we are currently working on, their expected due dates and which musketeer is doing what:

[Mentor’s Notes]

I. Before I get into the thick of things, I will elaborate on some of our mentor’s points regarding our objectives:

II. She commented on the broadness of our schematic to analyze several sites and suggested that we only concentrate on one site and go in depth. By focusing on one site we could better communicate with both the client and the public regarding our findings. Finally, she commented on time allocation and that, regarding the short nature of our involvement, we should focus on perhaps not finding the perfect site, but rather on the criteria of what they were looking for and breaking it down to feasible characteristics that would allow our client to apply our criteria quickly and easily to several sites if needed.
She suggested that we compare the site given to us with an existing site that is already being used elsewhere for similar purposes. This would allows us to concentrate on the findings of what a good site looks like as opposed to us just shooting in the dark for something that looks good.

[To-Do List]

Let us focus back on the matter at hand, and that is the infamous to-do list…

1. First is our poster presentation. We have already began brainstorming on our focus points, as well the main aspects of our presentation. Although comparing the sites is important, we understand the need to focus on the site that CityStudio has provided us with, and as a result, our site assessment will be the largest factor addressed. Furthermore, above all else, making the poster aesthetically pleasing would also be a bonus. Thankfully, we have an absolutely wonderful creative gem in our midst whose name is Laura Herrera, and she will be taking care of this aspect (us engineers are always very thankful for the creative people in the world)

2. To complete this project, an extensive amount of research must be done on existing sites. Curtis Flack and David Grant have generously volunteered their time to choose a compatible site and assess its compatibility with that of CityStudio’s. They will address both the positive and negative aspects of their chosen site and determine our site’s ability to address potential problems, as well as how to handle unforeseen events.

3. We further need to begin defining the criteria that we will use in our evaluation and define the weighted scenarios of our feasibility study that will allow us to compare sites. This analysis will hopefully allow us to conclude whether this site is appropriate for the proposed project, and this will be done by Nathaniel Stuart, Kyle Gallagher and Jae Yong Rhee.

4. As a group we also still need to visit the site, and we have decided to go as a group sometime next week. This will be a large factor in setting up each of our parts and allowing us to start working towards a finalized evaluation.

5. Last but not least, a proposed timeline of Individual due dates will be discussed in the next group meeting and sub groups will begin their journey along their given paths, hopefully resulting in the timely and polished result we all are striving towards.

[Closing Thoughts]

We are aware that the tasks laid out are not as well defined as we would like, but we feel that once we start working on our individual parts after our site visit things will start to come together nicely. We came across a nice quote regarding energy the other day that we thought was very applicable to our project, so we figured we should leave you with our perhaps not-so-far-out thoughts. In respect to the ever changing world around us and our current strive towards creating a world that doesn’t fight with our environment, but, in fact, lives within it, perhaps it is not the issue of the recycling of waste, but rather, it is the generation of waste and the way we lives our lives that must be assessed. Remember: as far as we know, there is only one earth on which we can live, breathe, play, and experience so many natural, wonderful, amazing things…. let’s try to keep it that way.

PS: Happy International Women’s Day to all the amazing ladies out there.

After meeting recently with the client, CityStudio, the role our group has decided to partake has been narrowed to focus on the assessment of the suitability and logistics of the current designated deconstruction hub location. This is an extremely interesting and diverse topic that we believe will contain three main factors: Transportation, accessibility and hub layout and size. City Studio has proposed a general outline for what they are looking to as far as site location,

“30,000 square feet, adjacent to a building materials retailer, in the False Creek flats, centrally located, good for trucking/shipping/receiving. The other attractive characteristics of a location are proximity to a transfer station or other recycling facility.”

– CityStudio Staff

Through the oh so useful internet we have found several precedent examples of other recycling projects that mirror the functionality of what would be Vancouver’s first deconstruction hub. This information has greatly influenced our understanding regarding the overall efficiency of the hub particularity pertaining to our assessment and research regarding the three main factors presented earlier. We have decided to take an extremely hands on methodology and plan to visit specific sites in Vancouver, specifically but not limited to CityStudios’ suggested site and establish and document our own set of data that will allow us to inevitably compare sites based on the specific guidelines laid out above. Each site will posses unique strengths and weaknesses and as a group we have begun to create a rubric that will allow us weigh characteristic accordingly to inevitably choose the best site possible.

Not only are we looking to consider the location of the site within the city relative to important factors such as highways and other retail manufacturers, but the location and specifics of buildings and vital systems on site. It is extremely important that now only is the location efficient in location, but further can contain all the relative systems that will allow this hub to function to its full potential. Some of the things that we have considered are the placement of parking lots for visitors, the areas for the importing and receiving of materials and finally the on site location of the buildings that will be used to sort through the material. Figure 1 below describes the brief outline of the system provided by CityStudio and will help us in providing a detailed overview regarding the on site space needed to accommodate each predicted node in the projects system..

Figure 1. System nodes

[Timeline]

Currently the project is still in its planning stages and assessments like the one our group is carrying out still need to be done. As a result a timeline regarding project completion is extremely hard to estimate or create; However, we do believe that the largest milestone regarding the completion of the project will involve the availability of funding to initiate the construction and purchase of a site. Further Milestones will involve the design and construction of the building a as well as the creation of a network of clients that will utilize such a facility. It might be more valuable however to give you a timeline regarding our group’s specific role as well as some milestones that we have and hope to accomplish.

1. Meeting with the client was extremely important to the success and understanding of what we hoped to accomplish through this course. We believe that now with our greater understanding and narrowed focus we can start to brainstorm and attack our objectives at hand, which are visiting the site and using a comparative analysis to convey the best fit location for our clients needs.

2. We are currently in the process of proposing guidelines for our analysis so that we can compare and contrast the weaknesses and strengths of each site. Once completed only the field work and analysis will remain.

3. Visiting the suggested site will gives us a foundation to work from, from there we can start to branch out and look into other possibilities. From here we can begin to write our recommendations and final report, which will hopefully give CityStudio some insight regarding potential sites for this project.

CityStudio has given us an example of an ideal site on Terminal Avenue between Cottrell and Carolina Street. This will be our primary focus regarding a proposed feasibility study looking at specific requirements regarding layout and size of the proposed facility. We must consider the dimensions and space constraints of several structures in the vicinity, which include: Parking lots, loading areas and ware house and retail space.

There is still much to accomplish, however, we are confident that as a group we will be successful in accomplishing our objectives through constant communication and through initiative.

[CityStudio: Background, Visions, Goals]

Before we jump into the specifics of our project it is important to understand the background, goals and vision of the company that we are working with. CityStudio is a company derived from passionate individuals that seek to solve a global crisis using a changing paradigm in the way we look at education. CityStudio has proposed a unique learning experience that allows students to become directly involved in helping Vancouver accomplish its sustainable goals by allowing students to participate actively within the community through projects like our own. Although Canada can be seen as a highly educated country, our collective effects on the environment and our increase in consumer habits are regarded as some of the worst in the world. CityStudio believes that through cooperation, innovation, effective planning and a little initiative, projects like The Deconstruction Hub can begin to help Vancouver become more sustainable and further spark awareness regarding other projects that have the same potential.

[Project Overview]

Now that we have a better understanding of CityStudio foundations and beliefs we can shed some light regarding the overview of The Deconstruction Hub. The Deconstruction Hub proposed by the Sustainability Office, in conjunction with CityStudio, is a facility that will actively and effectively deal with waste coming from the deconstruction of all types of buildings. Currently the majority of these materials are injected directly into landfills. In giving contractors a hub in which they can deliver used fixtures and materials, landfills will be alleviated, energy will be saved, jobs will be created, and the reselling of materials that would otherwise be useless will produce municipal income.

Currently this Hub is in its initial planning stages. Information of comparable sites is being gathered to determine how to run a project like this effectively. The size, organization and treatment of materials, and marketing of the idea to the public are some of the issues that will be discussed in our proposal.

[Scope]

Since the City of Vancouver announced it’s goal of becoming the greenest city in the world by 2020, various groups have been discussing ideas that will help decrease waste and encourage recycling. The Deconstruction Hub is among various ideas that will encourage Vancouverites to participate in attaining this goal.

[Whats on the Drawing Board?]

Since this project is still in its planning stage, there are few non-negotiable constraints. Location, size, networks, legislation, and incentives are all topics that will be considered when compiling the proposal requested by The City of Vancouver/CityStudio.

[The Master Plan]

A lot of work needs to be done to get to where we want to be, however we plan to do what it takes to accomplish what we can under our allotted time frame. We plan to effectively strategize through group discussion/brainstorming along with supplementary research of comparable business ventures. In turn, we believe that our ideas obtained through collaboration and the knowledge we gain will help guide the proposal’s direction and help move this project forward, towards not just a greener city but a brighter future.

In Metro Vancouver, waste from construction, demolition and the renovation sectors, constitutes about one third of this region’s waste. However, CityStudio is taking strides towards decreasing those statistics significantly. CityStudio is a company searching for ways to advance sustainability initiatives regarding many diverse issues in Vancouver. Furthermore, CityStudio provides opportunities for students to work on challenging urban sustainability projects that the city is currently facing. This allows students to acquire practical experience in their areas of study and gain a broader understanding for a wide range of perspectives affecting the decisions we face as a society moving towards a more sustainable world.

Figure 1: Distribution of Waste in Metro Vancouver

Source: DLC Waste Management ToolKit, Retrieved from www.metrovanncouver.org

CityStudio has proposed a solution to the current waste water concerns by the creation of a Deconstruction Hub facility that will be able to divert construction and demolition waste from disposal in landfills. In turn, doing this can decrease the footprint of some of our most prominent and energy-intensive industries. The deconstruction Hub facility will offer many services. These include the collection, sorting, warehousing, remanufacturing and retailing of used building materials. Currently, the project is in its conceptualization phase and further research and analysis will be conducted to determine the cost benefits and methodology of the project. Furthermore, through educational platforms and presentations, CityStudio hopes to provide municipalities with valuable knowledge concerning sustainable practices regarding the waste from these sectors. Citystudio will deliver the engineering design work as well as intellectual incentive that will result in the ability of these municipalities to address large scale waste diversion and materials reuse while creating the opportunity to invest in green jobs for their local communities.

Through collaboration our group believes that no problem is too complex and that together, many minds can accomplish great things. Each member is extremely passionate about the opportunity to be a part of this project. Our group offers a diverse collection of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives that will translate into the group’s ability to accompany CityStudio in addressing and completing its aims.          

[David Grant]

David Grant was born in Vancouver and has spent his entire life in the Lower Mainland. He is currently completing his second year at UBC while majoring in Civil Engineering. In his spare time, David thoroughly enjoys playing competitive sports such as volleyball, soccer, and baseball. He is also a hockey junkie and a diehard Canucks fan; words cannot describe how excited he that the lockout is over! In the future he hopes to become Project Manager for industrial developments while specializing in environmentally friendly projects.

David has worked previously in construction and is quite familiar with the astounding amount of waste that occurs. As such, he believes his interest in environmental projects will transfer to the CBEL City Studio in the aim to reduce the amount of waste. With the project he hopes to be able to apply the practical knowledge of the construction process he has gained in the field and apply it in a scenario where he can make a positive difference in the community.

[Jae Yong Rhee]

Jae Yong Rhee was born in Seoul, Korea, but has been living in Burnaby, B.C ever since he was a first grader. He is enrolled in the Civil Engineering program at UBC and is currently completing his second year there. He hopes to become either a structural engineer or architect, and is always keen to get practical experience related to those fields. That is why he loves opportunities such as co-op work programs and projects such as the CBEL City Studio project in where he can apply his academic knowledge to real life situations. He looks forward to working as a team with his group members and successfully completing this project.

Jae Yong is interested in a wide variety of activities such as snow boarding, long boarding, playing the electric guitar and cooking. He enjoys balancing his school life, work and hobbies, and one of his favourite quotes is “work hard, play hard!”

[Laura Herrera]

Laura Herrera came from South America with her family around six years ago. She comes from the capital of Colombia, Bogota. Currently, she is pursuing a dual degree at UBC in visual arts and civil engineering. In her spare time, Laura loves to paint, draw, and create things. She is also a hair stylist at her own Vancouver home. In the future, she would like to work in diverse environments around the globe working on urban planning related projects.

Laura likes to introduce change in her life constantly and try new things which is why she is excited to be part of this CBEL project. With this project, she hopes to obtain a deeper understanding of project planning and development. She is looking forward to collaborating in this project and having the opportunity to make a difference in the community. She hopes to get to know the team and the community and that together we’ll enjoy our journey and grow collectively as the project comes to completion.

[Nathaniel Stuart]

Nathaniel Stuart is a Vancouver boy, born and raised; However, he has lived in several different cities all over British Columbia due to school and work obligations. He has attended SFU and completed a minor in the business program and is now currently pursuing a Civil Engineering Degree at UBC and is in his second year. Eventually he would like to complete a Masters degree in either Structural Engineering or Architecture and would love to continue to work in environments that allow him to give back to the global community, whatever way that may be.

Nathaniel is extremely passionate about striving to change our current wasteful habits as a society to that of a more sustainable and responsible one. He is also continually looking for ways to expand his foundational knowledge regarding sustainable engineering practices and believes this CBEL project will be an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience. Furthermore, he is excited to have the opportunity to make a contribution to a project that can make a tangible difference in the way we treat our waste. He looks forward to working and collaborating with the community and professionals at CityStudio that are involved and have already made a difference on our perspectives on waste management.

[Curtis Flack]

Curtis Flack is currently a second year Civil student at UBC. He was born in Trail BC, and he enjoys doing lots of outdoor activities and sports. Curtis is highly interested in group work which is a main reason why he is excited about this project because like CIVIL 201 last semester it is a project based course which he feels like we gain more knowledge from that than just regular class work. He recently worked with a restoration company, which has to deal with construction material waste on a day-to-day basis so this project appeals to him.

Curtis wishes to eventually become either a transportation engineer or structural but is still undecided at the moment.

[Kyle Gallagher]

Kyle was born in Hamilton, ON, but spent his formative years in North Vancouver. His interest in real estate development lead him to buy and renovate three investment properties, as well as acquire two rental buildings in Eastern Canada. One of his passions is the reinvention of materials that would otherwise be disposed of. Working with the CityStudio project is a perfect fit, allowing him the opportunity of helping decrease landfills, while utilizing previously used materials for future projects. He hopes to encourage the community to consider waste objectively, while helping them saving money through purchasing salvaged materials.

Kyle’s interests include furniture design, architecture, cooking, exercise and bicycling. He is currently enrolled in his 2nd year of Civil Engineering at the University of British Columbia. Upon completion he hopes to work for a structural engineering firm who focuses on forward-thinking environmental and aesthetic design.

Team Photo

We look forward to working with CityStudio in helping construct real change for the future. If you have any questions regarding the project please don’t hesitate to leave a comment and we will do our best to reply.