Daily Bulletin

Architecture class presents drama

In the face of the Y2K crisis, UW second-year architecture students are turning to history and drama to explore the relationship between culture and technology. On Saturday night, they'll take to the stage to perform The Machine Wreckers, Ernst Toller's play about "humanity's perilous struggle against the machine."

The play deals with the Luddite riots of 1811-16 in which English weavers, threatened by the invention of the steam engine, rose up against technology.

Our dependence on technology still has the potential to cripple us, notes Monika Jaroszonek, one of 55 architecture students participating in the production, and public relations coordinator for the project.

While it may seem unusual for an architecture class to be involved in theatre, she believes the experience is significant on two levels.

"As architects, we're interested in creating space. Drama creates an ephemeral space, an illusion." In addition, the students are tackling the challenge of creating a physical space for the play in the old Goudie Building in downtown Kitchener, creating sets, backdrops and props in an industrial setting.

"From a cultural perspective," says Jaroszonek, "the play relates to our study of cultural history or iconography." As part of their program, architecture students explore philosophy and literature from a world perspective, developing an understanding of architecture as a product of culture.

It's not the first time the school of architecture has delved into drama, but the project was suggested to the class as an option, "since we have a full platter as it is." The class, which earlier this summer produced the "Machine in the Garden Installation" in Waterloo Park, was keen for the challenge.

"It's a class bonding experience," she adds.

Tickets -- $6 for students and $8 for others -- are available at the turnkey desk in the Student Life Centre. The July 17 production starts at 8 p.m. in the Goudie Building (near the intersection of King and Queen Streets), with a reception following. As well, a free preview performance will be held Friday evening, same time, same place.

Energy exam offered for homes

Calling all homeowners interested in saving money, helping the environment and ensuring that your home is comfortable and healthy: R.E.E.P. is here.

The Residential Energy Efficiency Project, based here at the University of Waterloo's Faculty of Environmental Studies, is now formally underway within the Region of Waterloo. Over the next two years, 3500 homes will have the opportunity to be evaluated for their energy efficiency.

Nationally certified evaluators from the Elora Centre for Environmental Excellence deliver the program, EnerGuide for homes, developed by Natural Resources Canada. Home visits last about 2 and 1/2 hours, and involve a thorough assessment of the house for heat loss, moisture, and air quality.

The energy performance of most homes can be improved by as much as 25%. This improvement means homeowners spend less money on their energy bills and reduce harmful emissions to the air.

Comprehensive EnerGuide visits are valued at over $300. Thanks to the innovative R.E.E.P. partnerships, we are able to offer the EnerGuide for Houses visits for $25 during 1999.

Interested homeowners should call Mary Jane or Raj at the R.E.E.P. office at 888-4567, extension 6661. Summer months tend to be the lightest for bookings so anyone interested would really help out the project.

Cornell visitors check out WATgreen

WATgreen, an initiative designed to improve the quality of the campus environment, encourage energy conservation, promote environmental awareness and offer opportunities for environmental research, is considered "a successful program," said UW waste management coordinator Patti Cook.

She hopes talks with Cornell representatives will provide an opportunty for both institutions to learn from each other. While Cornell probably found out about WATgreen through a network of universities involved in Greening the Campus projects, said Cook, Cornell is well known for its work in composting, as well as for the Cornell Waste Management Institute and the Cornell Centre for the Environment.

Positions available this week

• Food services assistant, food services, 35 hours per week.
• Food services assistant, food services, 40 hours per week.
• Baker, food services.
• Porter, food services.
• Dean's office assistant, environmental studies, grade USG 3.
• Graduate secretary, chemical engineering, grade USG 4.
• Manager, mail/call, development and alumni affairs, grade USG 9/10.
• Senior technician, systems design engineering, grade USG 8.
• Payroll benefits assistant, human resources, grade USG 4.

Barbara Elve
bmelve@uwaterloo.ca

Editor of the Daily Bulletin: Chris Redmond
Information and Public Affairs, University of Waterloo
credmond@uwaterloo.ca | (519) 888-4567 ext. 3004
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