present trends through adroit nutrient cycle transformation, but has implications for many offshore and land-extractive technologies especially associated with the oil industry. We propose a vast remineralization process based on best practices resulting in a range of material resources (i.e. carbon balanced MgO cements; essential nutrient and trace elements for long-term food; and fuel and materials production). Benefits include: 1) a re-establishment of coral reefs and revitalization of the fishing industry and 2) a transformation of oil platforms into significant renewable energy sources (wind, wave, geothermal) with the capacity to intermittently function as nutrient re-sourcing bases from the sea and/or deeper geological sources. Our strategy is a protoMetric basis for understanding trends and connecting users to coupled problem/solution sets (grey world/green world) in similar nature-based patterns and bringing researchers together with grassroots practitioners. ProtoScope (like Fuller’s geoscope) procedures establish protoCodes solution sets with global-local teams in a place-based, neutral social space for solving common problems. The approach requires a peer worknet well rooted in chemical-, geological- and agro-sciences. A combination of 10 universities and one million NGOs are our human resource base to help minimize oversimplification of fundamental geo-chemical cycles. We “crowd source” the many ecological human/economic implications using protoCooperative procedures. The physical proposal is client based (City of Galveston, Texas) and uses sound ecological systems comprising: a) ecobalance planning (air, water, food, energy, materials); b) protoCooperation; and c) regenerative transformation. ProtoCooperative-1 (Proto-One) and ProtoCooperative-2 (Proto-Two) sequencing builds community confidence by utilizing the vast waste resources from hurricane disaster in a manner that mimics the real future--a regenerative transformation of our relationship with nature using a balanced human-to-sea nutrient cycle.

Describe the current stage of your initiative and your implementation plan over the next three years

The Galveston project explores conversion of oil rigs to repair coastal regions in two phases. Proto-One establishes community support with a sophisticated housing system utilizing hurricane waste. Proto-Two, a parallel protoCooperative initiative, uses a mineral extraction process to transform the oil and water-purification industries through the use of waste brine as a mineral source for a wide variety of uses. Carbon balancing of materials results in the extraction of magnesium oxide (MgO), which is transformed into an elegant cementatious building system by reparatively closing loops in a flexible eco-industrial process that creates jobs.
Completed tasks include: 1) International code compliance (i.e. structural, fire, insulation); 2) NGO-stabilized land subdivided into protoSpaces typical of Texas; 3) protoPartner identification (university, industry, foundation) and agreements for funding commitments; 4) Physical protoSite identification and protoType design schematic. Pending tasks in-progress include engineering of waste-based protoType, while protoSite model construction is scheduled for January, 2009, in Austin, Texas.
Year one includes re-assessing community resources for reparative housing and protoTyping in neutral space (NGO partnering with universities) that provides freedom from policies, codes, etc.; linkage to global information-flow; and open access.
Year two (protoOne) includes community protoTyping, implementation of reparative systemically adaptive housing, and proposals to build the neighborhood.
Year three (protoTwo) integrates housing technologies with coastal regenerative systems, harvesting MgO from regional sources (oil rig brine pools, salt mines, reverse-osmosis seawater desalination, accretion from seawater, water treatment plants). This system replaces woodchip monocoque core with MgO foams and sulphur cement with MgO shell fiber cement.
Prize monies would implement protoOne, including: protoSpace, a 600SF adaptive home and ecobalance understanding of results (air water, food, energy, and materials); permits and engineered design documents; proposal to build a neighborhood; and publicity, as well as consideration of FEMA, HUD, criteria and other necessary investments for community-wide regenerative housing.

Describe how your strategy meets the entry criteria ("What We're Looking For")

Comprehensive: Combines global peer-acceptance-based procedure with hands-on learning, applying systemic topology to everyday needs. Facilitates dynamic entrance into emerging trends in whole-systems manner.
Anticipatory: Extreme materials regeneration and extreme carbon-balancing using eco-systemics (e.g. bio-char soil replenishment as carbon-balanced cement fuel), and regenerative sourcing-resourcing anticipates partnering with nature’s regenerative systems. Identifies potential for new materials and technologies.
Ecologically Responsible: Approach facilitates shift from consumptive-destructive resource use to integration with nature’s regenerative systems.
Feasibility: Reparative phase (Proto-1) established by current technologies. Regenerative phase (Proto-2) innovatively applies technologies based on renewable-energy-derived materials.
Verifiable: ICC approval of basic technology completed. SETAC environmental chemistry approval (seawater mineral balance) sought. Solutions will be verified by people-use, manufacturing, and long-term university environmental monitoring-assessment of resource balance.
Replicable: Solution replicability for 39% of global people living within coastal regions; process replicability for other coastal regions.
Trim Tab: Remineralizing coastal regions using a protoCooperation as regenerative transformation.

Describe the qualifications and experience of you and/or your team and your ability to execute your implementation plan

Pliny Fisk, co-director of CMPBS, has successfully helped to create catalytic national models (Austin Green Building Program, recipient of the only Earth Summit Award to U.S.); implemented national projects (BaseLineGreen in contract with EPA categorizing 12.5 million businesses), triggered national trends (USGBC LEED), built national and international demonstration projects, and received national awards (First Sacred Tree Award USGBC, Passive Solar Pioneer 2000). Pliny is a true pioneer of the sustainable industry and his green building efforts have been recognized around the world.
John Motloch directs the Ball State University Land Design Institute. He co-created and is U.S. lead on the U.S.-Brazil Sustainability Consortium, the North American Sustainability, Housing and Community Consortium, and the U.S.-Brazil Universities of the Future Consortium that seeks to transform education through university-community relationships, and to produce graduates who are whole-system thinkers, resource-balancers, community-builders, and triple-bottom-line sustainability decision-makers.

Jorge Venegas, the Interim Dean of the College of Architecture (CARC) at Texas A&M University (TAMU) and Sandy and Bryan Mitchell Master Builder Endowed Chair of CARC, has built a distinguished academic career focused on built environment sustainability, advanced strategies, tools, and methods for integrating capital asset delivery and management, and innovation and entrepreneurship for the AEC industry.