The daily collegian. (University Park, Pa.) 1940-current, April 09, 2001, Image 5

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    THE DAILY COLLEGIAN
Conference focuses on greener future
By Danielle Grote
COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER I degl42@psu.edu
Scientists, architects, designers, artists
and many others came together last week
end to share projects and discuss plans for
the future at the eighth annual Green
Design Conference.
David Riley, assistant professor of archi
tectural engineering, won $2,000 for his proj
ect on sustainable housing and five $5OO
awards were given to other participants. The
weekend also included a keynote address by
ecological artist and designer Michael
Singer, a performance by the Pennsylvania
Dance Theater, and a fair for middle and
high school students.
Barbara Anderson, director of the Center
for Sustainability, said people of different
specialties have to work together in today's
Upgrades to Pattee, Paterno to provide better access
interests of disabled students are being rep- these spots were reserved for Penn State Pattee, a walk with outdoor tables and chairs
resented. He is currently focusing his efforts employees with specific numbered permits. that those with a physical disability must
on two main issues with the library. The third spot is general, which means navigate around. The doors at this entry are
Improvements to Pattee and Paterno The unavailability of general handicapped that anyone with a disability permit may use not equipped with handicapped opening but-
Library may soon be underway to make the parking in the immediate vicinity of West it. The general space is usually taken during tons. Library authorities are aware that
buildings easier for disabled students to Pattee is one area Freund is concerned daytime hours, Freund said, forcing him and these doors need modification and plans are
access. about. Second is the lack of an easy entrance other handicapped students to park else- underway to make them accessible.
Penn State senior Danny Freund (human into the library from the allotted handi- where. "These doors are too heavy. We've been
development and family studies) has been on capped spots. Freund appealed to Doug Holmes, Trans- lobbying for two years to improve this
a mission to ensure that university buildings "My interest here is parking in the closest portation Facilities Coordinator, to convert entrance and we're now going to change
are easy for disabled students to navigate. possible spot to a quiet study area and the one of the two reserved spots to a general them," said Sally Kahn, Associate Dean for
Freund believes Pattee and Paterno Library handicapped spots they put in Paterno are access space. His efforts paid off; the spot University Park Libraries.
are key areas of concern and that there are not easily accessible," Freund said. was converted last Wednesday, so that any Freund and Kalin walked the route dis
simple solutions to make them accessible to There are three handicapped spaces that disabled permit is now acceptable. abled students take to enter the building,
disabled students. Freund feels need modification. They border Currently, the closest entrance to the with Kalin carrying a heavy bag to simulate a
Ever since he lost his leg to cancer, Freund Parking Lot Green K which is located next handicapped spots outside of West Pattee is student's dilemma.
has worked strenuously to make sure the to Ihlseng Cottage off of Fraser Road. Two of at MacKinnon's Café on the ground floor of Freund suggested the fire door in the
By Corianne lacovelli
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world, because there are no longer renais
sance people who have many skills on many
levels.
"Green design is a way of thinking which
is often called system thinking," she said.
The goal of the projects presented during
the weekend is to obtain sustainability, or the
harmonious integration of human life with
the natural world, Anderson said.
To do this, participants in five different
categories architecture, engineering, eco
logical innovations, landscapes, and gardens
and art worked to incorporate the guide
lines for sustainable design outlined in The
Hannover Principles into their projects.
"In every area, in every category, we're
looking for projects that maintain these prin
ciples," Anderson said.
Gary Gyekis, a local residential designer
and builder, won in the category of architec-
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ture for his work on Anderson's home. Both
residential and commercial clients are
recently demanding more green design in
their projects, he said.
"Resale value isn't the only thing driving
the market anymore," Gyekis said.
The winner in the engineering category
was Joshua Pearce (graduate-material sci
ence) for his design of porous sidewalks
made from recycled tires. The loosely
packed rubber would make it easier for the
water to seep through. It would also create a
better surface for runners like him, he said.
"I wanted to be able to run on campus on
something soft," he said. In other categories,
winners were Madhu Prakash for a dry toilet
that decomposes waste efficiently, Jackie
Bonomo for the design of a healing ground
sanctuary and Suzanne Bruening for an
artistic pillow made of used teabags.
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Ag Arena near
Beaver Stadium
Over 250,000 books,
tapes, CDs, maps,
sheet music, and
Sunday - half price
Monday - bag day
Benefits fellowships
and educational
Gordon Marshall/Collegian
The Pennsylvania Dance Theater performs "Plan Away" at the Zoller Gallery. The dance was one of
three premieres that ran in conjunction with the Green Conference.
AAUW USED BOOK SALE
Fri - Mon
April 13-16
9-9 daily
special magazines
projects
A 1 1,
oth annual
MONDAY, April 9, 2001 15
for disabled
Extended Hours Reading Room as an alter
native route from the Fraser Road handicap
spots to the library.
Installing a ramp at the fire door, only a
few steps from the handicapped spots, would
solve Freund's problem.
Before any changes are made, fire code
and security issues must be resolved, Kalin
said. The Extended Hours Reading Room, a
gift from the Class of 1994, is designated as a
quiet study area and officials hesitate to
install an entrance there because of possible
noise. Freund says making the door exclu
sive to handicapped students would elimi
nate this problem.
"This is all wrapped up in codes and laws,
but I will raise the question," Kalin said.