Natural Materials | Coating Buildings | ACAN

Date recorded - 25th November 2024

Join us for a discussion on the role of paints and coatings on our buildings and the natural world. We discuss the environmental impact of the paint industry and how non-plastic, mineral coatings can improve the performance of our buildings.

This is the second in our two-part series on PAINT, hosted by ACAN Natural Materials.

We discuss the impact of paint on global plastic pollution with the co-author of Earth Action’s noted report Plastic Paints The Environment, 2022. We then look at historical and contemporary, non-plastic approaches to coating our buildings, with lime and silicate. Exploring both cultural and technical aspects.

Our speakers:

🌱 Paola Paruta 🌱
After earning a Masters in Mathematical Engineering, Paola Paruta pursued a PhD in Fusion Energy to contribute to global betterment. Post-PhD, Paola delved into ocean plastic pollution, analysing global plastic consumption and waste management on behalf of UNEP and IUCN. In 2022 she led the research for Environmental Action’s 2022 report Plastic Paints the Environment. Paola's research unveiled paint as a significant source of microplastic pollution on land and in oceans, surpassing tyres and textiles.
Paola is now exploring pathways to zero CO2 emissions in Switzerland, as a scientific collaborator at the Ecole Polytechnique de Lausanne.

🌱 Tim Meek 🌱
Tim is an apprentice trained, award winning bricklayer with a degree in archaeology from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, and a master’s from York University. He retired in 2018 to undertake a PhD at Stirling University, “Cultural and physical factors in the history and development of traditional external wall coatings in Scotland”, 2003. Tim is co-author of Historic Scotland’s Technical Papers 31 and 33. Throughout his studies he has continued to work practically as a builder to help develop a better understanding of Scotland’s intangible building heritage and the immaterial values of the generations that preceded him. Major projects include The Great Hall at Stirling Castle & Kilcoe Castle.

🌱 Anton Boekhoudt 🌱
Anton joined KEIM in 2014 and is their National Architectural Business Development Manager. His role involves site visits to advise and offer guidance on projects, provide specifications, and complete colour matching trials. Also working with architects on bespoke project specifications and providing CPD presentations.

The webinar wraps up with a live Q&A.

SUBSCRIBE: https://bit.ly/3qYItt1

For more information about ACAN and to join our mailing list visit: https://www.architectscan.org/home

Theme music by Own Crouch https://www.owencrouchsound.com/

Welcome to the OFFICIAL Architects Climate Action Network (ACAN) YouTube channel! Architects Climate Action Network is a network of individuals from within architecture and it’s related built environment professions taking action to address the twin crises of climate and ecological breakdown.

We recognise the compelling scientific consensus that our present trajectory will lead to catastrophe if we do not make ambitious and radical changes as a matter of urgency. We are already seeing the consequences. We also acknowledge that the built environment is a major contributing factor to the climate crisis and as such requires complete and rapid transformation (which we are yet to witness).

We can no longer remain secluded within personal and professional silos and instead must harness our agency as citizens with shared professional backgrounds to bring about the necessary changes to our industry. As a network of individuals, ACAN is able to act at speed, without conflict of interest, and is open to methods that may be unavailable to other campaign organisations.

#ACAN #ClimateChange #Architecture