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Sam Smith
Insurrectionary ecologist and local-universe problem-solver
Open-Source Infrastructure Development
Ecological Design Consulting For Tiny Homes and Vehicles
Generation of Disruptively USeful Information
My passion is developing low-cost, easy-to-build infrastructure that allows people to harness the natural flows of resources and energy present in all ecosystems and enables humans to meet their needs for food, water, shelter, energy, information, and waste processing without ecological damage. All of my ecological design work is open-source, and you can support that work by becoming a Patron. I also do custom infrastructure design consulting and 3D modeling for tiny homes, vehicle conversions, and off-grid land projects on a case by case basis. If you’d like my help on a project, or would just like to make contact, get in touch by filling out the form below!
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Here are some Things I’ve done:
“Overview” – 2019
“Overview” is an hour long music video that goes through the history of the Universe, from the big bang to present.
Recycled Plastic 3D Printer
I’ve been developing an open-source, easy-to-build large-format 3D printer designed to print directly from recycled plastic flakes instead of filament.
Metabolizer – 2018-Present
Metabolizer is an experimental waste-to-energy system and recycling center powered by waste biomass. It can literally “eat” trash, and use the energy it contains to shred and recycle plastics, produce liquid fuels, and generate electricity.
The Magic Tool Bus – 2018-Present
The Magic Tool Bus is a 25-ft former TRIMET shuttle bus that we have converted into a mobile maker lab and off-grid tiny home. It is an exploration in off-grid mobile infrastructure, with solar power, heat, water, and lots and lots of tools.
Ecosa Institute for Ecological Design- Re:Design Certificate Program – 2017
Ecosa Institute’s Re:Design certificate is a 3-month intensive program in regenerative architecture and applied ecological design. I completed my certification with the Fall 2017 cohort, with our final project focusing on low-cost housing.
Ecosa Institute for Ecological Design- Visiting Faculty Member 2018-Present
After completing the Re:Design certificate, I was brought on as a visiting faculty member for Ecosa. Twice a year I teach a 2-day intensive workshop in ecosystem architecture, open-source ecology, and 3D modeling with Re:Design certificate cohort.
Precious Plastic Machine Building – 2017-Present
Precious Plastic is a movement to design and distribute open-source, small-scale plastic recycling machines. In 2017 I built the PP shredder, and more recently I’ve been developing a 3D printer that prints directly from recycled plastic flakes.
Portland POD Initiative – 2016
The Portland POD Initiative was an open design challenge put on by a coalition of organizations and advocacy groups to develop a series of low-cost sleeping pod designs to be used as the basis for villages as a response to the houselessness crisis.
Entrainment – 2016
Entrainment is an interactive exploration of the phenomenon of heartbeat entrainment. By visualizing heartbeats as pulses of light and vibration, Entrainment challenges participants to see if they can sync their heartbeats with one another.
Communiversity 2014-2015
From 2014-2015 we ran an experimental community-based experiential education program. Participants crafted community projects of their choice and were supported with by a community of mentors and weekly check-ins and goal-setting sessions.
Community Supported Everything- 2012-2015
Community Supported Everything was a community organization, meeting hub, and project incubator, focused on facilitating community projects by holding space and connecting people with the support and resources for their projects.
Occupy Tomorrow 2011-2012
After the Occupy Portland camp was evicted in November 2011, we organized a series of community events that brought neighbors together to discuss issues of community, ecology, economy, non-violent resistance, and mutual aid.
Lonely Dinosaur T-shirts -2008-2016
After graduating college, I co-founded a t-shirt screenprinting and design business. We made and sold organic cotton t-shirts online and at Portland Saturday Market from 2007 until 2016, when we closed the business to pursue new things.
Colorado College – 2004-2008
I graduated from Colorado College in 2008 with a B.A. in English with a Film Track. The focus of my film track and thesis work was in documentary filmmaking.