Nina Choi, The Pallet House | Architect Selin Maner

The Pallet House
For the exhibition “Time Space Existence” I sought to photograph an envi- ronmentally sustainable architectural project with low environmental impact. Whether it was off-the-grid, recycled, or integrated into it’s setting, I found it important to point toward a new way of building, while dealing with the many immediate ecological problems at hand.
As single-use consumption peaks and a growing population depletes its resources, I felt it essential to capture the beauty of form and creative concept of function demonstrated in this work - the idea of newness in something extant.
I found the work of Selin Maner specifically aligned with what I had envi- sioned. Through the innovative re-purposing of discarded materials such as shipping pallets, Maner gives them a secondary function. Energy con- sumption is reduced through natural cooling via gaps in the pallets. Eschewing wasteful materials such as sheetrock, the building’s insulation, wiring, and waterproofing are hidden between two layers of pallets. Down to its foundation, which is constituted of repurposed 50-gallon oil drums filled with concrete, Maner’s structure is an almost entirely recycled home.
In addition to my goal of capturing an ecologically sound project, I aim to highlight the continuing global struggle for women’s rights. By showcasing a visionary female architect in a male dominated industry, I hope to inspire young women and raise awareness about equality.