# Phonebook Buildings Richard Kroeker Uses an Obsolete Object to Create an Eco-Conscious Piece By Meghan Young | Published 2010-10-09 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/richard-kroeker References: [treehugger](http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/10/the-phone-booth-recycling-an-endangered-species.php) & [richardkroekerdesign](http://www.richardkroekerdesign.com/home.html) Considering how phonebooks are all but obsolete, I'm not surprised that Richard Kroeker and his troop of Dalhousie University students have built an entire building with these useful pieces. An incredibly [eco-friendly endeavor](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wolves-lane-centre), this [phonebook building](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/museum-for-paper-art) is located in Nova Scotia. Richard Kroeker used 7,000 phonebooks to complete this structure. In fact, the layers of books are so compact that wood can be screwed through them in order to dramatically alter the appearance of a [facade or exterior surface](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/populus-seattle). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 54% | Activity: 44% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) > [Eco Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/ecoarchitecture) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Obsolete Object Reuse:** Exploring innovative ways to repurpose obsolete objects, such as phonebooks, to create eco-conscious structures. - **Eco-friendly Building Materials:** Developing and utilizing sustainable building materials to reduce environmental impact, like using thousands of phonebooks for construction. - **Innovative Facade Design:** Experimenting with unconventional materials and techniques to create unique and customizable exterior surfaces using compact layers of phonebooks. ### Where This Applies - **Construction:** Opportunity for construction companies to explore alternative and sustainable building materials and methods. - **Architecture:** Potential for architects to incorporate repurposed objects, like phonebooks, in their designs to promote sustainability. - **Sustainable Design:** Avenues for sustainable design firms to create innovative and eco-conscious structures by repurposing obsolete objects like phonebooks. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Upcycled Building Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plaex-building-systems-inc.md) - [Recycled Paper Stools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-plod-stool.md) - [Floating Wetland Bookstore](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xixi-goldmye-bookstore.md) - [Printing House-Transformed Offices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mladinska-knjiga-printing-house.md) - [Tranquil Sustainable Home Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/saltviga-house.md) - [Wood-Wrapped Contemporary Libraries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/graded-school-library.md) - [Recycled Bar Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bar-installation.md) - [Low-Carbon Biomaterial Bricks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cob-brick.md) - [Surfboard Waste Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surf-block-maui.md)