I’ve been gorging myself on the films on offer at The New Zealand International Film Festival and I was lucky enough to catch the documentary ‘Garbage Warrior’ a few nights ago. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect settling down in the darkened theatre with a mixed bag of suits, students and hippies around me, but very soon I was pleased by my decision.
‘Garbage Warrior’ is the story of the architect Michael Reynolds who, for the last thirty years, has been a visionary advocate for sustainable building design. Shying away from the conventions of construction, Reynolds realised early on the need for people to live sustainably with the earth instead of exploiting it.
His buildings (aka ‘earthships’) are self-sufficient and incorporate sustainable measures in both design and construction. By using solar and wind power, they’re able to reduce or remove their reliance on conventional power generation. They also contain and reuse all the waste that they create, as well as harvest rainwater from the sky for use in the house.
What is most unusual about his designs is the way he uses rubbish, like old plastics bottles or cans, in his buildings. Some of his fantastical looking designs incorporate such things as internal walls made out of aluminium can ‘bricks’ covered in plaster and glass bottle ceilings that sparkle like stained glass. Rammed earth encased in old rubber tyres are used to create strong external walls that can also be used to store thermal energy.
The film follows Reynolds’ career from early success to legal wrangles and law change. By pushing the boundaries of what is accepted architectural practice in his quest for truly sustainable design, Reynolds has had to endure losing his architectural licence and legal challenges. Despite this, he has kept his sustainable vision and has successfully lobbied for a change in New Mexico state law to allow for experimental sustainable building. He has also recently been to the Andaman Islands to help rebuild after the devastation of the 2004 tsunami.
Overall I enjoyed the film and found it both inspiring and invigorating. Reynolds struck me as a man before his time and one who sees the world in a very different way to most of us. If you get a chance to see it at the festival, which is coming to a town near you, I thoroughly recommend you check it out, or keep an eye out for it at your local video store.
Did any of you out there get along to see it, or are planning to? Got any other environmentally themed movies for me to check out on these wet winter nights? I’m keen to hear your favourites!
