Edition #16, October 2005
EcoHabitat Competition winners
The
43 presentations for the EcoHabitat Competition were of such high
quality that the organizing committee had an arduous task, not only to
select the first ten finalists, but from among them to choose the two
winners. Selected in the executed projects, is a “Home for Single
Mothers in Yeredemém Mali, presented by the team of Fernando
Martín-Consuegra, Francisco Botella y Carlos Higinio Esteban. In the
category of ideas in the design process the winner is a “Dwelling for
Fishermen” in Venezuela, presented by Fabiana Zapata. Their work will
be presented at the EcoMaterials Conference in Santa Clara.
The 2000 Watt Society: a vision becomes reality
A
vision of the future called the “2000 Watt Society” will be presented
on the first day of the EcoMaterials Conference in Santa Clara by Swiss
architect Roland Stulz. 2000 watts is the average world-wide energy
demand per capita. The vision of a 2000 Watt Society calls for the
reduction of energy consumption by a factor 3 to 6 in the northern
hemisphere and for countries of the southern hemisphere to develop
their economies with an increase in energy input by a factor 3 to 6,
but in a sustainable manner.
Santa Clara, its history and highlights
Santa
Santa Clara is the host city for the EcoMaterials Conference, and
visitors can not only enjoy many sights, they can absorb the spirit and
feeling of this special place as they walk the streets, travel in
bici-taxis or buy flowers in the park. While its history goes back more
than three centuries, its current fame has much to do with its being
“the City of Che”. The accompanying article provides an account of its
316 history as well as point out attractions of interest in the entire
province.
Monument to Che Guevarra
Santa
Clara is the city liberated by Che and his group during the
revolutionary struggle, an event that penetrates the entire city. A
memorial park was built as a tribute to this hero in little over a year
with the support of the entire population. It includes a large
sculpture of Ernesto “Che” Guevarra looking out over the horizon.
The Plaza, Tribune, Museum and the Monument to Che were inaugurated on
December 28, 1988 in a ceremony commemorating the XXX Anniversary of
the Battle of Santa Clara.
Making Better Concrete
"Making Better Concrete: Guidelines to Using Flay Ash for Higher Quality, Eco-Friendly Structures"
This book by Bruce King is a good addition to the library of anyone who
wants to understand the theme of using fly ash in concrete. Such
understanding is important for people who take the decisions about what
products to use. Pozzolans in concrete could have a tremendous impact
on reducing the environmental footprint of cement. Worldwide, the
production of Portland cement alone accounts for 6-8% of
human-generated CO2 (depending on whom you ask). So here, in a single
industry, lies the opportunity to slow the very alarming trend toward
global warming.
