Greenwashing Kit © Valentina Karga

Valentina Karga has a Master in Architecture, Technical University of Thessaly, Greece. She also was a Erasmus student in BUTE (Budapest University of Technology and Economics). Her last projects are the “Greenwashing manual” and the “Greenwasher, Sustainable active chamber”, which are her experimental thesis on how architectural research and design could adapt to the new reality of the implementation of sustainability.

The idea behind the Greenwashing Manual to create a manual that began with a collection of systems aimed at an ecologically bearable conscious contemporary lifestyle. Next step was tthe restriction of the system to “do it yourself” version. For this reason we studied «how to» and «Do It Yourself» youtube videos and websites that offer such expertise to ease of manufacture and low cost. The low cost factor has a similar relationship with the construction of ecological factors when taken into account the reuse of objects. Thus, adaptations were made in the way of manufacturing systems with emphasis on the implementation of used items may change or adjust the use of objects. For example, a reused tub acts as a tank – aquarium in the hydroponic / aquaponic system. Finally, we combined all segments in a single system with the logic that “nothing is wasted”.

hydroponics design © Valentina Karga

The elements that trigger the system is water and sun. Water can be collected from the roof when it rains through the gutters and stored in tanks. Using a filter and proper maintenance of tanks, this water is drinkable. The clean water goes to the sink. Whatever is spent for washing dishes and washing vegetables led to the cistern where it can be reused. The toilet waste is transported to the burner biomass. There, may also be led discarded remnants of food and the excess biomass of algae after extraction of oil.

The biomass after fermentation process gives biogas, which, passing through a boiler can heat water for radiators and showers. The radiator may be used only in conditions of lack of solar energy, ie when the solar heater can not operate. Biogas can be used for cooking when there is not enough solar energy to function the solar oven.

biogas digester © Valentina Karga

The low quality of water leaving the boiler biomass after fermentation with the waste water in the shower, can be reused in the cultivation of algae for biodiesel production. This led to a tank where it is mixed with a small quantity of microalgae, some nutrients plus carbon dioxide, while the contaminated water contains enough already. The mixture is sent by a pump in transparent tubes. After a day of exposure to sunlight, the algae have grown considerably. Harvesting can be done in a container covered with a filter that keeps the biomass from the water. The water can be sent back to the tank algae. The biomass of micro-algae left in the sun to dry. The paste is dried biomass is transferred to an oil press. The extract of the oil must be transported to the biodiesel processor to make biodiesel fuel. The hot water process requires heat on biogas.

The representation of the system is graphical. Can be tailored to each building plan, including an apartment in a more concise form.

Greenwasher, Sustainable active chamber © Valentina Karga

Greenwasher, Sustainable active chamber © Valentina Karga

Feature is excessive economy, which would otherwise be characterized meanness. With neurotic patience, the user utilizes the water through a hierarchy system of value, until evaporated. Moreover, by simple chemical processes, produces useful goods from useless waste, while producing no waste, since he re-uses everything. The appearance of the system seems complicated, but consists of humble materials. It is an assembly of used items, garbage, cables, pipes and fluids of changing purity, transparency and clotting interfering or cooperating with the building. One could describe it as a concentrated version of the complexity of gathering the goods of modern life.