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According to their website Unilever is a corporation that effects over 200 billion people a day helping them “look good, feel good and get more out of life.” They own over 400 brands internationally that gravitate around health and well-being, and range from food products to deodorants to laundry soaps. Unilever is the overarching company that owns brands, and controls their publicity, work environments and material sourcing. Dove, Axe, Lipton, Knorr, Hellman’s, Suave all are examples of brands working under the Unilever umbrella. Working internationally has allowed Unilever to benefit from, not only sales, but cheaper material sourcing, allowing them to gain the ability to filter who they source from as well as write their own Sustainability Program. They are a well-oiled giant who has dozens of working mechanisms beneath their brand name, all controlling the functionality of the whole. While browsing through the tremendously dense Unilever website one can become energized about their pro-sustainability stance with the numbers and data they boast about. Currently they are using 100%, sustainable paper, board, and labels in the entire North American market; they found sustainable sources for nearly all (93%) of the millions in wood-based fiber in the U.S; in the next 5 years they are going to enhance the sustainability of man-made materials within the US. Evidently, they are working towards a greener future. They state on their webpage “…we are driving transformational change, helping to eliminate deforestation, mainstreaming sustainable agriculture and championing smallholder farmers.” These changes occurred after their 2009-10 materiality review. They realized that they could move forward with collaborating on ways to double their business and cut their material use. Wading through their claims and statistics stirs curiosity and perhaps digging to the heart and functionality of their programs will help clarify the possibility that they are following through on their sustainability act. Unilever sources out for more than just their material resources. SEDEX, a non-profit dedicated to improving ethical and business practices in global supply chains, helps Unilever manage their Sustainability Program that all of the suppliers are required to follow. Inner Working is another company that has been hired to help enhance packaging sustainability. Across the 190 countries where Unilever products are sold, there are around 76,000 suppliers worldwide which are reviewed annually and all are required to follow Unilever’s own Sustainability Program and Sustainably Living Plan, which is committed to “… communicating performance regularly and transparently.” This program includes guidelines to reduce their ‘top 15’ which are grouped under their sustainability efforts and are as follows : deforestation, sustainable agriculture, safe drinking water and sanitation, brands and innovation, enhancing women’s lives, inclusive business model, trust and transparency, domestic water solutions, waste, food fortification, fairness in the workplace, obesity, non-renewables, chemicals and climate change advocacy. Unilever has been involved in TEDTalks, educating patrons about disabled employees, preparing nutritious affordable meals, positive thinking and the importance of promoting smallholder farms- not the typical jargon one would expect from an international powerhouse. Uncovering a list of suppliers for Unilever seems to be a little tougher however, their transparency seems to be shadowed by their enthusiastic sustainability promotion. Gleaning search engines for supplier lists is tedious, but necessary to see who is working for Unilever and if Unilever is employing businesses for the wrong reasons. GCI Magazine had an article online from 2012 and listed a number of companies and what they supply Unilever with. They are as follows:
Researching each of these companies produced a rather hopeful outlook. Although these companies are just the tip of the vast amount of suppliers for Unilever, they rendered some perspective. Every single one of these companies has a sustainability plan which is easily accessible through their homepage on their website, and all of these companies had easy to access lists of where their plants are, along with phone numbers and addresses. Also, the factories are not grouped in one area of the world, but rather spread across the globe which emphasizes a sustainable system of production as well as supplies the job market in many places. About half of these companies listed their own plantations or sites where they get their product, and the other half had external links indicating where they source from. Perhaps Unilever’s thinking of truth and transparency is more accurate that previously perceived.
Through all of this positive news, is it possible that Unilever’s material sourcing could actually be following through with the processes they pursue? Browsing through years of sustainability reports can conclude that Unilever has indeed decreased their global footprint and has chosen companies who employ similar programs to source their products, bringing together an umbrella-corporation who serves sustainability with a side of awareness. For the ever exhilarated public who may or may not believe in the changing environment, the only future is that of reuse and sustainability.
So let's get the basics: Sustainability is the ability to be sustained, upheld, supported or confirmed (dictionary). In essence, to be sustainable one must be able to support the action for a long period of time; the action must be supported. I want to focus on why creating a sustainable environment should not simply be a buzz word. Architecture and interior designers are given the responsibility of responding to the causes around us. We are given, with privilege, the duty of representing whatever we want. We build skylines, brands, environments, and spaces. We are entrusted to develop and shape the future throughout the landscape. We are part of the original creators and trendsetters and as such have to choose our morals delicately. Back in the Industrial Revolution machines were everything. Wether or not your supported them was besides the point: they existed and were changing the way people functioned in society. Similarly now, many companies are emphasizing how "sustainable" and environmentally friendly their products are. But is anyone educating on why being sustainable is important or where to start? I am a dedicated believe that reuse and recycle is a key in our future.
Globalization is the process of building connections among the world's people. The process is more than a trading system and relies on increasing the magnitude of cross-boarder, social, economic, military, political and cultural inter-relations. Globalization is not a thing or product but rather an avenue through which ideas travel.
There are two sides to every story: Side A believe that globalization is a myth and that cross-contamination between cultures doesn't and can't change the scope of how a nation functions. Side B believes that globalization is real and can be felt everywhere. Nations no longer have their sovereignty and that the idea of a 'nation' in control is fiction. I tend to agree that globalization has allowed communication to increase and therefore the spread of cultural beliefs, inventions, financial capital, product, fashion and information has dutifully, and quickly changed how individuals interact with their physical space. Although 'globalization' is a hot-word these days, the spreading of good and ideas is not a new concept and dates back to 1000 A.D. when the Vikings concurred and would overtake communities, spreading their ideas and beliefs throughout northern France, Britain, Iceland, Greenland and Russia. Likewise, India was a large trading center and was linked with Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Europe felt the effects in the late 1800's when great waves of immigration began. World War II also brought new technologies and innovations for transportation and communication. In the mid-19th century, a painter, Samuel Morse changed the world of communication yet again: the message "What hath god wrought?" was transmitted without the need for a delivery person through electronic telegraph! Talk about changing communication! In the 1950's transatlantic and transpacific cables were laid allowing 100 voice paths to cross the oceans. Today, information can be accessed almost immediately, and these ideas and inventions- too many to mention now- are the products of globalization. Being able to access information virtually anywhere in the world through technology that can rest in the palm of your hand is considered normal for most Westernized societies. I read a case study of a woman who went to a village in Central Africa and was greeted to a night of entertainment- watching a movie on a TV that was still in theaters in the UK. This is yet another example of globalization. Whatever your beliefs are around the positives of negatives is superfluous to that fact that information is easy to access. Another debatable topic is the state of Earth and her health. Some deplorable people believe that global warming is a hoax, and many other people can visually see the clues that our world is changing. A new hashtag that has reached every continent is #2degrees. Social media networks alongside news stations have encouraged citizens world wide to take a short video describing why a 2 degree increase in our global temperature is too much. National governments are becoming weaker as the power of information and identification becomes stronger. Globalization makes supporting our environment easier, and knowing how we can change to make a difference and spread awareness. It links like-minded people together to form a stronger more coherent opinion. Globalization affects all nations and leaders. It is not solely an economic trend but relates to all facets of living through values, thinking, access and invention. So as you rest in your home and wander the streets where you live, I encourage you began questioning where your ideas, products and creativity stem from. Are you subconsciously being influenced by a specific strain of connectivity? Through reflection and enlightenment you will see just how strong to effects of globalization are.
Another creative day pining away at the computer, grasping the basics of Sketch Up. I learned the wonders of being able to create ornamentation and original shapes with use of the Follow Me tool. I'm intrigued with creating cross-connections between disciplines and read an inspiring article called linking more successful and effective health care and how research is carried out, to the architecture around the scientists. Granted, the idea that environment fosters emotion is not a new one, however, I am interested in expanding the breadth of this connection. Researching why architecture affects people, and how, as an interior architect, I can create spaces which grow with the workers as new developments occur. Creating a building that can be manipulated, not only with modular furniture, but also by expanding rooms quickly and changing scenery often. In ode to the Industrial Revolution and the supporters of the machine, I believe that the machine can aid in this quest of invention in science. Today's project intertwined new tools and a cause. Instead of building something aesthetically pleasing I wanted to build a scale museum that would allow the users to dictate the purpose. The structure was inspired by molecule interaction and modular homes which have many moving parts. Sustainability is the future, and as such, I combined ideas of an urban forest, prefab walls for fast construction, locally sourced materials, such as rock, and porous concrete to absorb rainfall and refill aquifers. Below are photos of the exterior space: Front ViewThe first impression of this building needed to be striking. Through use of curvilinear edges and organic shapes, the building invites participation and interaction. Side View AThe core cylinder of the building is covered which aids in reduction of heat. Also, because most of the square footage is outside the building allows the users to interact with nature. This building was partially inspired by the The Essence Skyscraper which is a 2,067-foot tower that allows it's users to take a 90 minute hike through every kind of climate, reconnecting people with nature. (http://www.popsci.com/tower-could-let-city-dwellers-tour-natural-world) Side View BThis sketched model shows the range in space options. This building buds from the central sphere, enveloping the air space and coalescing with nature. This building will be LEED certified and offer a reduction in energy bills through use of the SunDoiler installed on the roof in place of an oculus. The outer rim of the building will also be lined with solar panels which will allow the building to put energy back onto the grid, as well as using the energy it needs. Back SideThrough the undulating and uniquely sized terrace the user of this building will be offered a multitude of private locations to enjoy brain-space. Since the levels protrude off the main sphere, sunlight will always be available. Level 5 ViewThis is a 6 story building and this is a view looking out over the expansive and vacant terrace that allows the user to break from the overstimulation that's common in society today. On the far right is a walking labyrinth that invites people in and encourages relaxation and meditation. There is also a koi pond on the left of the photo which uses recycled rain water and offers interaction with another living species which has been linked to increase in productivity and decrease in strain. 6th Floor ViewLooking back at the main building one can feel immersed and protected by the leafy over-hang. With benches sprinkled throughout the forest the user can become reacquainted with the beauty of nature. Side View A This final drawing is a blue print version of the building, deconstructing the ornamentation and color and allowing the viewer to better understand the essence and structure. Thank you for reading through this and taking time to understand my process. As always, I'm elated to be given the gift of self-study time and am thoroughly enjoying my work as an interior architect.
With many roads not traveled, one has to start somewhere. |
AuthorAs a student at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle WA I entertain a variety of factors while designing space. Archives
August 2017
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