How the structure might evolve
My desire is to help create a strong, healthy, uplifting, low cost living environment. The urge to “do better” occurred while healing from life saving emergency surgery due to lung illness that developed after inhaling fumes from excavations at a chemical tank farm in 1985, and that progressed within seven years to debilitating breakdowns triggered by environmental and construction related influences, giving me a reputation of the weakling.
From 1996-2003 I worked part time as a construction contractor for only one company, and afterward, through 2006, as a helper in residential construction, while also looking, with a banker, for a suitable renovation project. By year’s end I was incapable of any work and an old friend offered to pay for extensive sinus surgery at St. Louis University Hospital in early 2007, but soon after, problems settled in my right lung and continued to worsen.
I would not have lived if it hadn’t been for my long time woman friend, with “a little extra money”, who stuck close to me as I spiraled downward, and then stabilized after two more government paid surgeries in mid 2008, and the granting of disability payments six months later. In 2009 I was able to eat, rest, ride my bike in the park, exercise, swim and slowly return to life.
In March 2010, the government hired me for Census 2010 and in spite of many lingering shortcomings my productivity was very high, having felt an obligation to the government for reimbursing the hospital for lung and malignant melanoma surgeries.
During interviews along North 14th Street, in the city of St. Louis, I began challenging myself, asking how low cost housing might evolve in an economic decline, and since the Quonset hut at 14th and Monroe Streets appeared to have as little speculative value as myself, and other potentially capable residents of the area, the challenge began there.
My continuing lung sensitivity prompted the adaptation of a Buckminster Fuller geodesic dome to one end, with the aim of creating a suitable growing environment for large plants producing high quality air within.
And since its height is 20′, I imagined a two story neighborhood center with a professional kitchen to help supply a meals on wheels type operation, an income generating cafe, private living space for staff, meeting space, medical examining room,
and any vital service including legal if possible, to help protect and strengthen people living with and recovering from hardship, such as myself.
In 2012 I began drawing 3D animated models of potential two story neighborhood centers, but in 2016 I moved to the more manageable idea of a one story Conservatory, Bungalow and Yert, that when perfected, could be sold either as an addition to an existing structure or as a fully functioning living structure of various sizes.
All domes below (except the window planter and 330 sq.ft. Yert) are based on a 20′ diameter dome. Smaller structures are more recent.
Some components, such as geodesic dome sub-panels, the Conservatory and Yert, could be designed and fabricated by native St. Louisans with the option to disassemble and relocate its components by trailer, if needed.
At a later time, other components might be panelized with the help of manufacturing and/or construction specialists in metro St. Louis area
In the design, engineering and prototype phase the framing will be made of wood.
This bungalow has approx. 430 sq.ft. of interior space. If an extra 8 ft. section is added, interior space is approx. 595 sq.ft., and 30 ft. interior length.
Bungalow 440 sq.ft. Each additional lineal foot adds 20 sq.ft. (5’x20′ width =+100 sq. ft.). I’m assuming this is sufficient space to create a supportive, nurturing environment/staging area. Extra space is attached outward at the doorway. Interior sunlight can be creatively controlled.
Increasingly this becomes an effort to create value by producing strong, uplifting, low cost, passively ventilated Conservatory, solar powered Bungalow and Yert, by virtue of our refinement of the specific knowledge, and accepting responsibilities connected to the work in relation to its purpose: helping develop activities that support an environment fit for human habitation in ways that make sense of our time on Earth.
Consequently, those drawn to help develop these tentative ideas due to their experience, nature or circumstance will learn to become very good at helping design and build, for example waterproof geodesic dome sub-panels and other structural components which help generate necessary sales of our output, allowing development of a neighborhood cultural and living assistance center, that might begin with landscaping, construction of a kitchen and food delivery service.
And with growth, those individuals, understanding the mutual benefit of the work, chosen for our realization and continuance, may naturally assume a measure of control and ownership of the operation such as a workers’ co-operative or perhaps a Newman’s Own type operation…
The most important activities for me during recovery were eating, rest, exercise, reading and purposeful work. The first three can restore health. While reading can restore perspective, by resurrecting forms of thought de-emphasized, adjusting to “highly artificial stimulants administered to the body social” *, whose makeup and symbolism contradict historical understanding, and muddle relations within an overarching, culturally varied and resourceful, collective conscience.
In the here and now attention might easily focus on quality of life support, especially for seniors, threatened by looming scarcity of nutrition, living conditions, mobility aids and purpose; as well as support to local organic food production, processing, storage and distribution within a manageable area or grid.
( * Karl Polanyi, The Great Transformation, 1944 )
From my encounters during advancing respiratory illness, stabilization after surgeries, the un-necessary, preventable deaths of our friends, and participation in Census 2010, I believe there are many people in a neighborhood, aldermanic ward, parish or grid whose lives could be improved, and maybe saved, through a process made relevant by the empathy of an exceptional woman, without whose vigilance I wouldn’t be here; and similarly by recalling a 1951 revelation of evolutionary biologist Julian Huxley, “that ultimately we might understand we are being entrusted with advancing the development of human civilization somewhere on the planet by way of our relationship with the community.”
