Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Pete Abrams. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Pete, thanks for joining us today. Maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
In one of my previous lives, I was a metal sculptor in Trenton, New Jersey, working mainly with found materials. I would create functional sculptures , furniture, and large scale sculpture as well as architectural work (handrails, balconies, picture frames etc.) My favorite pieces are Firebowls, made from reclaimed elevator cable, rebar and discarded tire rims. The cable was woven around the rebar to create a basket. I loved that I provided the opportunity for people to gather outside , at night and experience nature, stars and changing matter into energy as they have for millenia.
Facilitating community is another passion of mine, I developed the Trenton Atelier , a community arts space dedicated to exploring, experimenting and exhibiting Art in many aspects.
There is a fanatical attempt to make shit outta crap that resounds in my life, working with what is available, usually discarded and creating something beneficial.
Pete, love to hear your insights with us, can you talk to us about a project that you are working on now?
Less of a project and more of an obsession, one that saves the world and humanity in many respects, if I may be so grand.
I am currently designing and building a low cost shelter system that re utilizes single use plastic film waste as a major component in the structure.
Part of the solution comes from developing a simple, environmentally friendly process that utilizes the copious amounts of single use plastic into functional structures.
I have developed this material that I call Plasticrete. By layering a form with plentiful plastic film and covered in hot sand, the heat works its magic, and upon cooling, we get a tough, solid structure with a hard silica shell – all as the plastic embeds itself snugly within. Simple, effective, and downright transformative.
The Plasicrete would act as the primary material for creating watertight, impervious pods.
These pods will be manufactured as modular living units. They will vary in size and composition, ranging from a small simple unit , just large enough to provide a bed , and a place to store a few personal belongings all the way up to an RV or trailer size that is completely outfitted .These pods are linked together to create a stronger superstructure and a sense of community. I originally envisioned the structure to be on the open ocean , but it can be constructed on land and be able to withstand extreme weather conditions , and will float in case of flooding .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGj7Ug2jq4c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGj7Ug2jq4c
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I have been building a 24′ yurt from a kit in the Western Catskills for the past few years, This is a process that should, could be done in a weekend with a few friends provided that a platform of accompanying size had previously been constructed.
It was in the midst of the Pandemic and plywood and other lumber supplies were difficult to acquire at a reasonable price.
So it was determined that we would build a Yurt in the Dirt. Little heed was paid to the fact that the site chosen was sloped and would require a retaining wall as well as a floor.
Never letting reality quash an idea, i built a crescent circular wall from tires , back-filled with rubble from a silo foundation that needed to be removed. the floor was laid from flat stones embedded in a mud/cow dung straw mixture. The rest of the yurt was fairly conventional, but this is where I live most of the time and it will be my second winter there.
Conventional wisdom dictates that should not be done this way, but why not? Or as I say way too often , Now I know why we don’t do it like this.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://plasticrete.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petenyc1/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-abrams-0b17038/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bigolwasteatime