Week Three
Although we had a short week due to the celebration of the birth of our nation, we had an action packed week. We spent most of our time working on our hot house projects. We started off the week with a little celebration of Peter’s birthday. He finally made it to 25! 
The vacant lot group met with our client, the owner of the vacant lot. Our main objective was to exchange thoughts so as to gather more background for our potential ideas. All in all it went well although we weren’t perfect (even though we make think we are). Next week we are going to solidify our proposals.
Seeing as I am not in the other group, my associate, Amanda, has given us a report from the farmers’ market group-“We worked on researching and gathering information to present various possibilities and barriers for a public market in the 47th ward. We have been doing ground research about the neighborhood, identifying the assets of the community that might be favorable to the implementation of a green public market or something like it”.
In addition to project work time we had the pleasure of going to the Museum of Contemporary art and viewing the Buckminster Fuller exhibit, Starting with the Universe. I think I can go ahead and speak for all of us when I say, “Go check it out!”. Buckminster Fuller was truly revolutionary. He focused on equality and on sustainability long before it was a mainstream issue. Also, his architectural ideas will blow your mind. Well, they blew mine, at least. He tried to make housing affordable, simple, sustainable and lightweight. His innovation should inspire us all think outside the McMansion.
Before the program started we were divided into five groups and each given a book to read. This week two different groups presented on their respective books. On Tuesday we heard about a book Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature written by Janine M. Benyus from Anna and Sandeep. Benyus tells us that we can rearrange how we create products, farm, etc by learning from natural processes. On Thursday, Sonja and Amanda presented on The Ecology of Commerce: A Declaration of Sustainability by Paul Hawken. The Ecology of Commerce emphasizes the need for sustainable and ecological friendly economy. He proposes that the world needs restorative economy and the means in which to accomplish it.