The Architect Show, steadfast in its philosophy of combining modern innovations with an eye to the future, presented in 2020’s event “Waste not Want not”, a special installation curated by John Veikos and Anna Sbokou.

This parallel action, which dominated the entrance of the event, dealed with waste and how it can be used creatively, saving resources while contributing to the reduction of the carbon footprint.

More specifically, the aim was to present the emerging strategies for the reuse of waste, and especially of the existing built landscape of Athens, to highlight the value of reused material against the production of new ones and to highlight the existing practices for dealing with the creation of “waste” .

About a decade ago, the concept of upcycling had made its appearance, mainly in the field of furniture design, as something alternative in its logic and appearance. Today things have changed. The study and implementation of sustainability policies dominate as a priority in the strategic planning of states, companies, universities, research centers and other institutions. Of course, the utilization of the existing can also take on poetic dimensions.

We wanted a way to make the visitor, and ourselves, understand the value of what we throw away, a way that would provide a “common ground” to compare and contrast the materials and become convinced in the value of what we are proposing – waste not want not, how to build to rebuild.

The “Waste Wall-Finish Wall” provides an opportunity for every fabricator to present through a bespoke design fabricated solely from waste in a way that hopefully ignites conversation and new ideas in the visitor.

In between the wall sections we will project specific information regarding the general industry for each material, and specific data as it relates to our fabrication.

In a way of illustrating visually the raw waste material and provide the visitors with a way of understanding carbon in design we propose a row of raw material piles at ground level, each representing 15 Kg of Embodied carbon; demonstrating by size of the material piles, the embodied carbon they contain.

Warm Regards, John Veikos