Joana Rafael is an architect and researcher working on ecological issues related to pollution and contamination in buildings and territories, with a particular interest in the material conditions of construction and environmental contamination. Her research investigates the materiality and limits of physical infrastructures in relation to Earth systems, as well as human–nature relations mediated by dynamics of human impact, with particular attention to radiological contamination. In parallel, she develops a practice of collaboration with artists, research and writing, as well as consultancy on projects in the fields of architecture, art, and ecology. Joana has taught courses related to Contemporary Culture at institutions including ESAP, ISCE Douro, Central Saint Martins, and the University for the Creative Arts. She is a member of CEGOT and CEAA, and co-founder of REFINERY BOARD. Joana holds a Master’s degree in Architecture and Urban Culture from Metropolis, as well as a Master’s in Research Architecture and a PhD in Visual Culture from Goldsmiths, University of London. She also obtained a specialization certificate in Healthier Materials and Sustainable Construction from Parsons School of Design. She is currently completing a Master’s in Visual Arts Education. Alongside her academic work, Joana is a farmer.
Dirty Paths for a Green Mandate
Presented / Published in portuguese as Caminho Sujo para um Mandato Limpo
in FIACED II, Penafiel, Portugal
Dirty Paths for a Green Mandate focuses on causes and solutions for environmental and planetary crises such as that brought by the huge amount of waste that we produce and dispose of globally, and on interests that offer objectives to be achieved through the mobilization of technical innovation: ie manufacturing, purchasing and using materials that reduce the volume and toxicity of the waste generated and favour reuse, recycling and composting instead of disposal. Within this focus, this paper highlights the requirements of additional investment in factories, machines and the replacement of one type of waste with another. It argues, that these are solutions that, although they are perceived as achievements towards sustainability goals, idealize the life cycle and endless renewal, ignore resources and act involved in the production of more waste, inherent in the design of alternative processes and substitute products, exacerbating even more environmental and ethical problems. As part of this hypothesis and through notes for research on waste reserves, this paper propels that the objectives set out highlight the fact that this set of solutions is governed by a mandate, in fact, still green and calls for comprehensive programs to discuss methods and techniques, together with a better understanding of the problems, in current education systems and campaigns.
