The Cyclopedia of Sustainability
by Kenneth Leaning
My submission idea, The Cyclopedia of Sustainability, is a large book, a book that has the form of and appearance of an alchemist’s log, or a sorcerer’s book of spells. It would be approximately 36” tall by 24” wide with a binding made of recycled cardboard and covered in canvas or hemp fabric and held together with earth-friendly adhesives. The pages would be made from, again, recycled paper, or of handmade papers and would contain, written by hand, in biodegradable, non-toxic inks, a series of stories, designs, theories, and practices which convey and promote sustainability. The pages would be illuminated as were the texts translated and transcribed by medieval monks and educated elders. The mysterious appearance of the text is intended to show the irony of how accessible the ‘secret formulae’ for sustainable living is to all people. It is not some quaint antiquity, or lost art, but instead, a state of mind easily achieved if one breaks free of modernistic, blasé consumerism.
This book might be the centerpiece of a compendium of information on how to spare the planet our overbearing presence. It would have, of course, all of its contents and resources available simultaneously on the internet – that great saver of paper. Its component information will be gathered from many sources, making it a book written, ultimately, by the community, for the community. It might be one original volume, or their might be sequels, as developed out of the Foxfire series of books on Appalachian folklore.
My background is in architecture and, as such, I am accustomed to team building. I imagine this Cyclopedia being created by a collaborative of artists, students, scientists, academicians, et al. whose involvement would be rewarded with publicity and honor. The materials and coordination costs would be easily covered by the $5000 award. My role would be to design, delegate, organize and, generally, produce the finished work.
PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVES
To create spaces, landscapes, artifacts & artworks which function beautifully and invigorate the spirit and the planet.
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, APTITUDES AND EXPERIENCE RANGE
Architectural, landscape, furniture, product and tradeshow exhibit design; Existing buildings measuring and drafting; Construction and personnel management; Computer literacy in CADD (AutoCAD 2005 &’07, Cadvance), Microsoft Office, Photoshop, Corel; Carpentry (all phases), interior finish work (tile, painting, lighting design, trim, space planning), architectural modelmaking, cabinetmaking, mechanical repair, plumbing, light electrical; Landscape, hardscape and garden installation and maintenance; Art and real estate/construction photography; Writing, editing and proofing.
WORK HISTORY
Sole proprietor, Elysian Arts 1992- Present Greater New England
Ongoing operation of a small, independent, art, design and fabrication business creating works involving:
- Residential projects, garden development, out-buildings, stone wall and walkway design and construction;
- Furniture (built-in and free-standing) design, construction, installation and finishing;
- Restoration of antique (or collectible) architectural details, furniture and decorative items;
- Photography (with as-needed, computer retouching) for sale at art shows and for professional portfolios;
- Exhibit and display installations designed and executed for corporate administration buildings;
- Co-produced, wrote, directed, edited, narrated a 1997 grant-funded, documentary film. Wrote grant proposal.
- Independent Contractor to Solpoints, Inc. Dec.’06- Sept.‘07 Wilbraham, MA
- Designed tradeshow exhibit booths and component details using 3d modeling and rendering in AutoCAD 05 &07
- Independent Contractor to Regional Builders, Inc. Mar.- Nov. 2006 Monson, MA
- Designed several renovations and worked at all phases of carpentry for residential building company.
- Project Designer/Job Captain, Architectural Insights, Inc. 1998-2005 Palmer, MA
- Ran three multi-million dollar VA Hospital renovation projects. Acted as designer, project manager, detail
- drafter, specifier and estimator. Personally responsible for creating all architectural construction documents
- and coordinating project development with client and all consulting engineering teams;
- Designer and/or cadd drafter on over 90 residential, commercial, municipal, ecclesiastical and hospital/health
- care projects of varying scale, bringing code-compliant, approval-ready construction documents to completion;
- Proofed and edited public media releases and marketing materials; performed most office operational duties;
- Trained all new employees in office procedures and computer software systems. Cabinetmaker/Antiques Restorer, Beckerman Antiques, Inc. 1993-1998 Boston, MA
- Managed daily operation of high quality antiques restoration and sales facility;
- Restored antique furniture, frames, paintings, accessories and artworks using techniques, which included: carving, casting, turning, gilding, welding, distressing, color toning, machining, finish matching and more.
- Modelmaker, Trip Tech Models, Inc. 1990-1991 Waltham, MA
- Constructed highly detailed architectural models for international clients in costs ranging between $20-250K
- Team leader on model for Philadelphia’s 30th Street Railway Station.
- Draftsman/Modelmaker, Archtellic Architects, Inc. 1987-1989 Boston, MA
- Carpenter, Alex Skene, builder 1986-1987 Brookline, MA
- Program Supervisor, Palmer Associates, Inc. 1981-1986 Palmer, MA
- Managed community based residential program, with a staff of ten, for alternatively capable adults.
EDUCATION
Boston Architectural Center (B. Arch program) 1986-1993 Boston, MA
University of Massachusetts (Liberal Arts, Regional Planning) 1977-1981,’98-‘99 Amherst, MA
Institute for American Universities (French) Fall 1980 Aix-en-Provence,
France