This morning I met up with Scott Boylston (SCAD Professor & Emergent Structures), Mark Fitzpatrick (JT Turner), and some fellow students to dismantle the interiors of a historic house in downtown Savannah, Georgia. This massive house had seen better days and in one of the re-decorating attempts (assumed to have taken place in the 70’s) someone had the inspiration to fully cover every surface in rough wood siding (think barn siding). A style choice obviously way out of fashion, but needless to say an enormous amount of materials that can now find a second life.
I spent most of the time removing doors and door frames. The first couple were a little tricky, but by the third one I was getting the hang of it. I never would have thought I had the strength to move an entire solid wood door and frame by myself, but apparently there’s a little muscle in me. Although I’m sure it looked amazingly awkward as I bear hugged a door and shuffled to the other room.
Something about the process of demolition is always therapeutic. While prying wood off walls, that is the only thing going through my head. A calming relief. My muscles might not agree with this tomorrow though.
Some lessons learned:
* Ear plugs would be a great idea next time. Hammers and crowbars in small rooms are loud.
* Hammer to thumb hurts.
* A sawsall is awesome and cuts through nails like butter.
* Starting at 9 doesn’t actually mean you will start at 9. Set-up takes more than 5 minutes, way more.
* The thrift/building store on MLK is crazy. I think you could spend hours in there and still not figure it out.
Some of the materials will live on as planters for a picnic area at Whitemarsh Plaza as a current class continues building on the efforts a class I was in started over the summer. Additional materials will be used to construct an educational garden at Shuman Elementary School. See Emergent Structure’s post here. As the materials continue to pile up many more projects will start to take shape to put the wood to good use.
Post on Emergent Structure’s site of the day’s activities.
It was quickly apparent that all the students helping today were girls. This seemed a little funny and as the discussion continued we “Sustainability Babes” (our newly acquired nickname) questioned if this was relevant. Does the male gender not participate in issues of sustainability or are we just experiencing the microcosm that is SCAD? I’m hoping for the later, but I’m sure there are studies out there about the role gender is playing in our eco-future.
Anyone else have thoughts on this?
Charisse Bennett 