Leigha Covnot
Slow Design Principles

Water bottle houses
  In developing countries building supplies can be scarce where trash is abundant. Trash, specifically, millions of plastic water bottles. Designer and architect Robert Bezeau saw this as an opportunity to help people of  in Isla Colón. He,  with volunteers, filled the plastic bottles with sand then layered the bottles  to fill house frames to finally encase them in either mud or concrete; the end product being a livable house for little cost. This method uses both the reveal and the participate  principles of design. By using abundant waste material Bezeau revealed a new use for the bottles. At the same time he asked members of the community to build the houses together and make up blueprints for the buildings. I’m immensely impressed how Bezeau turned everyday trash into homes that people can live in and allows people to build their own homes out of alternative material.

 Bezeau, R. (2014). Plastic Bottle Village . Retrieved January 13, 2017, from https://ww.plasticbottlevillage.com

Crown Fountain
    Most often in large cities people have a hard time finding free, open spaces to play with their children or to just have fun. Chicago decided to create an interactive art project that allowed people to mingle while enjoying the outdoors.  Artist Jaume Plensa created the Crown Fountain which are two 50-foot water-spitting glass towers with LED screens showing faces of the people of Chicago. This art design uses the reflect and engage principles of design.  The outdoor water feature brings the community together allowing them to engage in conversation or to just enjoy the sunshine. Similarly, the screen of changing faces allows the viewer to see themselves reflected in the artwork. I think that this sculpture is fun and gives people an area to play during the summer.

Crown Fountain in Millennium Park. (2010-2017). Retrieved January 13, 2017, from https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_s_publicartcrownfountaininmillenniumpark.html 

If I where able to create a fantasy project, the one that comes to mind is to  make floating art out of plastic bags.  When the air current blows in their direction the bags, the bags would then unfold into the creative designs. These bags will be over pressure controlled fans then be put in public areas.  Whenever someone steps on the pressure switch a fan would turn on revealing the plastic bag design. Using the bags in this way would give people another way to look at  their products as well as interact with public art.

Another project I would do is to use water-filled glass bottles to create music. This will be done by placing the bottles on a wheel with a metal flapper. When the wheel is spun a tune will be made out of the bottles being hit against the metal. People will be able to  take turns to spin the wheel as slow or fast as they want. The purpose of this exhibit is to show that music can be played even with the most basic materials.