We believe it’s important to showcase inspiring case studies and best practices from around the world.
For instance, when anyone asks for an example of what we mean by Art of Diversion, we often refer them to Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens (shown) or the Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center (below). Although very different, both are brilliant precedents for material reuse, for rethinking society’s relationship with waste and for the kinds of property development and city planning policy changes and community engagement that we would like to see much more of in the world. Discovering these projects and others like them has had a profound impact on the long-term vision for AOD. We hope the work that we share inspires you as much as it has inspired us.
Encouragingly, there is a growing body of literature and research supporting the viability of urban mining, and there are a number of innovative design practices, upcyclists, makers and artists producing phenomenal work using reclaimed materials. AOD seeks to add to this momentum by serving as an educational and inspirational resource.
Jump to:
Salvage, Reclamation, Reuse, Repurposing, Upcycling…
If it diverts waste from landfill creatively, we call it Art of Diversion.
Whatever you want to call it, we need more of it in the world.
The AOD Equation: Creativity Without Waste
If a process is creative but involves the use of new raw materials instead of reclaimed materials, then it isn’t Art of Diversion. Likewise, any process that diverts materials from landfill but doesn’t result in something creative or though-provoking is not what we would consider Art of Diversion.
Only when a process results in the creative repurposing or upcycling of existing building materials can it be called Art of Diversion. AOD is, by definition, re-creative. It is creativity unwasted. It is anything that uniquely combines reclamation and reuse, and it requires both care and ingenuity. It is the antithesis of the way things are often done.