Slog - Comments on Future Concrete http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete The future of the greatest of all man-made stuff, concrete, is this: Experts from the University of Twente developed and tested the concrete paving stones which contain a titanium dioxide-based additive. In laboratory conditions, the additive -- under the influence of sunlight -- binds the nitrogen oxide particles emitted by car exhausts and turns them into harmless nitrates. "With one rain shower everything is washed clean," the institution said in a statement. Nitrogen oxides, produced by industry and motor vehicles, are among the main air pollutants that lead to acid rain and smog. Apart for their ability to clean... Copyright 2008 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:37:42 -0800 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:49:20 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by PC Garbage masquerading as art or in this case architecture.

No, this form of structure will not sweep the earth. It will not be used by millions. It is made and talked about merely to demonstrate the faux aesthetic "taste" of the culturally "superior" commenter/critic.

The more uglly the better, the more shocking, the more avant garde blah blah blah. The real product is the display of cultural superiority, not housing.

]]> PC http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109291 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109291 Architecture Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:35:22 -0800 Comment by NapoleonXIV Nitrates that would be washed away into storm drains, I presume.

Aren't nitrates fertilizer? Isn't fertilizer run-off one of the largest, if not the largest contributor to offshore dead zones?

]]> NapoleonXIV http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109299 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109299 Architecture Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:38:56 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle Where are we gonna get all the potash?

You seen the spec price on that?

Nitrates kill salmonids, fwiw.

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109322 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109322 Architecture Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:51:30 -0800 Comment by boyd main @2, the run-off could feasibly be diverted to useful purposes such as fertilizing fields or growing alage for biofuels.

Anyhoo, the whole thing smacks of polishing a turd. The production of concrete is one of the greatest contributors to global CO2 emissions.

]]> boyd main http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109324 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109324 Architecture Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:52:56 -0800 Comment by max solomon more like completely finish freeway park off. the homeless & the mentally ill aren't a cultural asset.

]]> max solomon http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109360 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109360 Architecture Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:11:28 -0800 Comment by Ed Earthships built with slave labor are the way of the future.

]]> Ed http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109377 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109377 Architecture Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:16:20 -0800 Comment by Ed Earthships built with slave labor are the way of the future.

]]> Ed http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109382 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109382 Architecture Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:18:11 -0800 Comment by inkweary Those concrete bedrooms look as if they would be very hot and stuffy. Why not use recycled wood and plastic for the same purpose?

]]> inkweary http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109394 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109394 Architecture Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:22:40 -0800 Comment by Ed Multiple posts will be a thing of the past.

]]> Ed http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109396 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109396 Architecture Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:23:12 -0800 Comment by elswinger Turn the million dollar toilets into hostels.

]]> elswinger http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109423 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109423 Architecture Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:35:09 -0800 Comment by ytuba Those hostels are just asking to be rolled in the middle of the night by a burly band of trouble makers.

]]> ytuba http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109439 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109439 Architecture Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:42:51 -0800 Comment by Bobo Dear Charles Mudede,

Girl, you crazy.

]]> Bobo http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109445 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109445 Architecture Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:45:39 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle I regret I have but one built structure to give for my soon to be invaded by Canada country.

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109459 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109459 Architecture Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:51:45 -0800 Comment by kinaidos *the additive — under the influence of sunlight — binds ...* - so it would be of little use in the Pacific NW.

]]> kinaidos http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109517 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109517 Architecture Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:24:21 -0800 Comment by Mr. Joshua @4:
Carbonate, typically extracted from the earth to make the cement (used in concrete) can be made through flowing waste CO2 from natural gas power plants through water. Essentially, they've turned cement production carbon-negative.

They're already setting this up in California, and they're going to probably ramp it up as civil engineering folks trust the new stuff is as good as the old.

]]> Mr. Joshua http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109604 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109604 Architecture Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:09:42 -0800 Comment by Sargon Bighorn Hobbit holes above ground...

]]> Sargon Bighorn http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109654 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109654 Architecture Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:33:38 -0800 Comment by Greg 1. Nitrates are not something we want more of in our runoff. Nitrates --> algae blooms --> dead zones. Oh, and also blue baby syndrome.

2. Are those Ikea lamps?

]]> Greg http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109789 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/future_concrete#c1109789 Architecture Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:49:20 -0800