As the world of architecture slowly becomes engaged in the discussion of Ecology. Columbia University has devoted the entire week to look at the problems that have led us to the situation that we are currently experiencing.

6:35 - There is a very large and diverse turnout in Wood Auditorium.

6:45 - I am currently sitting in the first event of the week long Ecogram Conference at Columbia GSAPP.

6:55 - After an introduction the first speaker to speak is Michelle D. Addington, Yale School of Architecture.

7:08 - She has focused on the amount of heat that is constantly being generated by the electrical equipment that is being used by buildings.

7:10 - Michelle displays a chart to explain the efficiency of our resources. For example coal wastes 90% of it's material to generate electricity.

7:12 - Michelle emphasizes the importance of heat transfer through another beautiful chart/image.

7:14 - Dickson D. Despommier, Public Health and Microbiology, Columbia University starts his presentation. He presents the way that a building might behave as a farm.

7:16 - Dickson references Cradle 2 Cradle as a cycle and not a linear path as a way to reference the way that nature works.

7:17 - The Millenium Development Project which has the primary goal of eliminating hunger throughout the globe.

7:19 - 80% of arable land is currently in use and most projections show that crop yields have actually leveled off in the last 10 years. Due to overuse of fertilizers and pesticides have stripped the land of its' natural use.

7:22 - He stresses the importance of Americans to have the ability to grow our own food. He is refering to fish, poultry and mollusks. Thus make it possible to farm inside of cities. The key to Eco-Urbanization.

7:25 - He shows references to a hydroponic project that was implemented in New Orleans after Katrina.

7:26 - Stresses the importance of incinerating our own feces. (90% efficiency)

7:29 - Cameron Sinclair, Architecture for Humanity is introduced.

7:31 - 1 billion people are living in "Anderson Cooper" poverty ($1 a day).
4 billion people are living in poverty (feuvela).
In the next ten years 1:3 people in living in poverty.
In the next 50 years the number of build structures on earth will double.

7:38 - Cameron discusses the importance of the "Architect" in the process of rebirth and renewal. He explains that their service matches architects with needy communities.

7:43 - Pauses to play a Frontline video on developmental growth on Tsunami stricken S.E. Asia. It follows a woman who moved to S.E. Asia to aid needy families.

7:55 - He discusses his recent trip to Wasilla, Alaska.

7:58 - Sadly I have to leave to cast more concrete for our installation which will be finished on Saturday. Follow our progress at here

Here is the information on the next event this week:

Alumni Keynote: ECOGRAM: The Sustainability Question

Wednesday, October 22, 2008, 6:30 pm -8:30 pm

Wood Auditorium, Avery Hall

Daniel Wood (M.Arch 1992) and Amale Andraos WORK Architecture Company, New York

Organized in collaboration with the Office of Development and Alumni in conjuction with the 2008 Alumni conference ECOGRAM: The Sustainability Question

See you all then!