Let’s Architect! Getting started with containers

Container gardens offer a versatile solution for cultivating plants, regardless of available outdoor space. This approach provides gardeners with enhanced control over the growing environment, allowing for precise management of factors such as sun exposure through easy repositioning of pots. Beyond functionality, container gardening also serves as a decorative element, enabling individuals to coordinate their plant displays with existing outdoor aesthetics. This collection of resources delves into various aspects of container gardening, offering practical advice and innovative ideas for both novice and experienced gardeners. The articles cover a wide array of plant types suitable for containers, from fruits and vegetables to flowers and herbs. For instance, detailed guides explain how to successfully grow avocado, banana, pineapple, peach, Meyer lemon, and pomegranate trees indoors, making fresh produce accessible year-round. Similarly, instructions are provided for growing strawberries, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, radishes, and even ginger in containers, maximizing yields in compact spaces. The content also addresses the cultivation of herbs like basil, rosemary, oregano, cilantro, and catnip, offering tips on propagation and harvesting to ensure a continuous supply. Beyond specific plant recommendations, the resources tackle common gardening challenges and best practices. Several articles focus on plant health and maintenance, including how to use charcoal in the garden, common watering mistakes to avoid, and the benefits of hydrogen peroxide for pest control and plant vitality. Repotting techniques for fruit trees are discussed to ensure their longevity and productivity, while advice is given on moving indoor plants outdoors for warmer seasons without causing stress. The selection also highlights plants that are not suitable for containers or greenhouses, helping gardeners make informed choices. Furthermore, the collection explores companion planting strategies for cilantro and succulents, aiming to repel pests and boost growth. It delves into the optimal care for potted mums after blooming and provides guidance on overwintering geraniums to ensure their survival and re-bloom in subsequent seasons. The advantages of terracotta pots are explained, along with warnings about common mistakes to avoid when purchasing potted plants. Emphasis is placed on maximizing harvests through high-yielding fruit and vegetable selections and effective hand-pollination techniques for fruit trees. The articles also address maintaining plant health while away from home and offer creative uses for old potting soil. For aesthetic appeal, information on fragrant flowers and ornamental grasses that thrive in containers is included, allowing for beautifully scented patios and drought-tolerant displays. Special attention is given to plants that attract nighttime pollinators and perennial vegetables for sustained harvests. #ContainerGardening #IndoorPlants #FruitTrees #VegetableGardening #HerbGardening #PlantCare #GardeningTips #HomeDecor #DIYGardening

Third-year architecture students at the Lebanese American University (LAU) have designed and assembled a 1:1 scale prototype of an emergency shelter, named 'ECS-p1', on their Byblos campus. The project responds to a challenge from studio instructor Richard Douzjian, who tasked students with developing temporary structures using readily available, everyday objects, mirroring the resourcefulness often seen in refugee environments. The chosen materials for the 'ECS-p1' are plastic crates, commonly used in agriculture, and standard zip ties. The design follows a 'consumerist vernacular architecture' approach, emphasizing the use of ubiquitous materials. The plastic crates are intended to be reusable if they remain undamaged, and both the crates and zip ties are fully recyclable. This material choice addresses both immediate need and environmental considerations, offering a sustainable solution for temporary housing. Beyond providing basic shelter, the 'ECS-p1' integrates functionality. Each plastic crate serves a dual purpose, acting as a structural component and a storage unit, with the exception of those forming vertical support columns and window sills. The window shutters are also versatile, designed to function as either seats or table legs when not in use for covering openings. This multi-functional design maximizes the utility of limited space and resources within the shelter. In hot and dry climates, the 'ECS-p1' presents a viable alternative to traditional tents. Its design promotes natural lighting, enhanced ventilation, and passive cooling, making it more comfortable than conventional tent structures. Furthermore, the shelter offers greater structural resistance and seamless integrated storage, addressing common shortcomings of emergency tents. The interior provides approximately 9 square meters of liveable space, maintaining a visual connection with the outdoors through its design. The roof assembly demonstrates an alveolar system, where interconnected crates and zip ties reinforce the structure, highlighting an innovative approach to stability using basic components. The project involved a team of student designers including Shady Waked, Abdelkader Ghazzawi, and Sandra El Hajj, under the guidance of instructor Richard Douzjian. The assembly team comprised numerous students, collectively constructing the shelter. The 'ECS-p1' has a built area of 14.4 square meters and utilizes 416 plastic crates, with an assembly time estimated between 5 to 7 hours. Concrete blocks were added to the wall bases to serve as weight anchors, enhancing stability. A thermal insulation study for a potential 'ECS-p2' iteration suggests the future inclusion of standardized PVC boxes within the plastic crates to improve insulation. This initiative showcases an innovative and practical solution for emergency housing, utilizing simple materials to create a functional and environmentally conscious temporary dwelling. #EmergencyShelter #ArchitectureStudents #SustainableDesign #TemporaryHousing #PlasticCrates #DIYArchitecture #HumanitarianDesign #LAUArchitecture #ModularConstruction

Milk crates are highly versatile for storage, DIY projects, and organization, making them a sought-after item. While they are excellent for practical uses like organizing tools in a workshop, simply taking them without permission is illegal due to their status as private property. Industry reports highlight that the theft of milk crates costs the dairy industry up to $100 million annually, leading to strict state laws and fines for unauthorized possession. However, there are numerous legal and legitimate methods to acquire free milk crates or similar alternatives. This guide outlines 13 legal strategies, divided into in-person and online approaches. For in-person acquisition, key locations include grocery stores and supermarkets, where managers might be willing to part with damaged or unusable crates, especially the dairy or stock managers during non-peak hours. Schools, colleges, and daycares, which receive bulk milk deliveries, often have surplus crates, particularly towards the end of semesters. Local restaurants, cafes, and bars, especially independent establishments, receive various products in crates and may not always return them. Convenience stores and gas stations, with limited storage space, might be eager for individuals to remove extra crates. Yard sales and garage sales frequently feature milk crates, with sellers often giving them away for free towards the end of a sale to avoid re-hauling them. Recycling centers and dumpsters can also be sources, as people discard old or broken crates during moves. Finally, certain factories and manufacturers might use crates for storage or shipping and could be a potential source upon inquiry. Online methods offer convenience for finding free milk crates. Facebook Marketplace and local “Buy Nothing” groups are excellent platforms for discovering individuals giving away crates due to moving or decluttering. The “Free” section of Craigslist serves as a classic resource for finding various free items, including milk crates, though safety precautions are advised for in-person pickups. Freecycle, a community dedicated to local item exchange, often lists milk crates, and posting a “wanted” request can yield quick results. Reddit’s r/Freebies, r/BuyNothing, or local city subreddits are also useful for finding free moving or storage gear. An unconventional but effective tip involves checking local marinas and boatyards, as boaters frequently use milk crates for storage and may leave them behind. Additionally, creating a local crate exchange network through community platforms like Facebook groups or Nextdoor can facilitate swapping and giving away crates for DIY, storage, or gardening projects. If free options are exhausted, affordable alternatives are readily available. Stores like Home Depot, Target, and Walmart sell heavy-duty plastic “utility crates” or “storage crates” that mimic the functionality of milk crates and are fully legal to own, typically costing between $8 and $12. Specialty sites like MilkCratesDirect.com offer bulk purchases, with prices as low as $6.99 per crate and a variety of colors. Regarding common questions, genuine dairy crates are generally stronger than retail utility crates due to their commercial design. A standard milk crate measures approximately 13″ x 13″ x 11″, ideal for various household items. While dairies consider their crates property, asking businesses that receive dairy deliveries is the most legal approach to acquiring them. The perceived high cost of milk crates online stems from their demand, durability, and weight. Crucially, taking crates without permission is considered theft, even if they lack explicit “property of dairy” markings. The fundamental principle is to always seek permission, rather than assuming availability, by directly engaging with managers or utilizing community-based exchange platforms to ensure legal and ethical acquisition of milk crates. #FreeMilkCrates #LegalAcquisition #HomeOrganization #DIYProjects #StorageSolutions #CommunitySharing #Recycling #ThriftyLiving #SustainablePractices

The article addresses the common household challenge of organizing food storage containers, a task that often becomes chaotic due to the constant influx of new containers from takeout and leftovers, and the frequent mismatching of lids and bases. According to Lisa Zaslow of Gotham Organizers, this issue is a universal challenge given the dynamic nature of container usage. The first step to effective organization involves taking a comprehensive inventory of all existing food storage items, including those in cabinets, the refrigerator, and the dishwasher. This process helps identify what is available, what is missing, and what is damaged. Once an inventory is complete, the next crucial step is to pair containers with their corresponding lids. Any unmatched or damaged pieces, along with excess takeout containers, should be discarded. Experts like Zaslow advise against keeping numerous takeout containers as they are designed for temporary use and lack the sealing quality of purchased storage solutions. Following this decluttering phase, households should assess their specific needs for food storage. This involves considering daily leftover storage, the number of family members using containers for packed lunches, and the necessity of specialized items like glass containers for reheating. Neitra Rose of Organizing Lifestyles suggests that most households only require one or two sets of containers, depending on family size. A practical method to track usage involves placing a small piece of masking tape on each container; any container still bearing tape after a couple of weeks can likely be eliminated. If the existing collection primarily consists of worn-out or mismatched items, investing in new, organized sets is recommended. Zaslow highlights that fewer types and sizes of containers simplify organization and maximize space. Products that stack, nest, feature mix-and-match lids, or are designed to store flat are particularly efficient. For families, Rose suggests color-coding containers for each member to prevent mix-ups. The final stage involves creating a defined organizing system by assigning specific locations for different categories of containers. If containers are used interchangeably for various purposes like snacks, lunches, and general food storage, they should be stored together. However, if containers are designated for specific activities, separate storage is advisable. The general rule is to keep lids with their respective containers. Organizing larger containers first and then fitting smaller ones around them, or utilizing nesting and stacking sets, helps optimize space. Small cabinet shelves can enhance vertical storage, and baskets are useful for corralling containers and lids, especially for accessibility by children. #KitchenOrganization #FoodStorage #HomeOrganization #ContainerManagement #DeclutteringTips #KitchenEssentials #StorageSolutions #HomeDecor #DIYHomeProjects