The ARK in Berea Eco-Museum, located in Berea, Ohio, is a historic structure and museum that serves as the home and studio of American Cultural Ambassadors David and Renate Jakupca. Built in 1994, the ARK is a pioneering example of sustainable building design, incorporating concepts from the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. It is a hybrid structure made from recycled materials such as cob, straw bales, aluminum cans, and used tires, showcasing the "Theory of Iceality in Environmental Arts." The ARK in Berea is recognized as the birthplace of the sustainable Environmental Art Movement and is registered with various historical societies.
As a project of the International Center for Environmental Arts (ICEA), the ARK in Berea Eco-Museum serves as a practical study for future sustainable building designs and ideas. It is a community center, art studio, and eco-museum that promotes the understanding of the relationship between humans and the environment through the arts. The ARK in Berea is a unique and artistically appealing structure that combines thermal mass techniques with isolative systems, resulting in increased building efficiency and structural innovation. It is a testament to the vision and dedication of David Jakupca, the Spiritual Father of the Environmental Arts Movement, and the mission of ICEA to promote ICEAlity.
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