2. MATERIALS

Materials refers to the manipulation, rearrangement, and heating and cooling of matter to produce the stuff of our goods, appliances, dwellings, and tools—from laptop computers to Nike sneakers. Sustainable materials practice emphasizes minimizing the energy use and by-products involved in the manufacture of these goods, valuing resilience, durability, and recyclability. Whether you choose to use recycled materials in campus construction projects, or initiate paperless meetings, the mindful use of materials is intrinsic to countless procurement decisions.

Just outside of Austin, Texas, the Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems has a small complex of office buildings and residences made exclusively with recycled materials, and oriented towards energy efficiency, water conservation, and low cost. The buildings are constructed so that there is a seamless connection between design, sustainability, and transparency. Visitors and dwellers alike immediately understand the purpose, function, and origins of all of the materials. This is an outstanding template for construction approaches on college campuses. From an infrastructure perspective, life-cycle analysis and ecological cost-accounting have a major role to play in coordinating sustainable materials practices. Every campus purchase has both an ecological and economic impact—from using green cleaning materials to installing recycled carpets. What do we use and where does it come from? Which materials are most likely to minimize ecological impact?

A campus is an ecological location with a geographical, cultural, and landscape context for its materials use. What works best in Maine may not be well suited for Arizona. However, we can share our experiences by developing common expectations about sustainable materials practice. Why shouldn’t this awareness become a priority for a whole campus pedagogy—a way to build interdisciplinary focus and meaning among engineers, architects, artists, ecologists, and educators?

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