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SUSTAINABLE DESIGN, COLLABORATION, AND DAILY LIFE AS THE REVOLUTION

It's not that hard. People need just a few things to lead fulfilling lives:

Good food, reliable shelter, and joyful company.

And though the world is also complicated, we make choices and actions every day that carry our agency into being. Every individual has wisdom about how to achieve these three things.

But it is the joint application of this knowledge that makes it truly a tool to change our environment.

Thus, "Minka" comes from the Kichwa "communal work", drawing from the Andean origins of lead artisan in the company, and it's derivative 'Minga' is used in some South American countries as reference to a work party or gathering.

So despite our existence within a modern capitalist world where financial relations rule supreme, it is the goal of Minka Artisans to bring together the practical application of this knowledge into a space where many can gain within a common goal: that of living well in our environment.

Minka Artisans works on designing and creating physical systems that support people's lifestyle hopes and choices while attempting to adapt to more sustainable practices. Like the choice to have more free time (what would it look like to live rent free?), to eat better (shall we make a chicken coop or planter beds?), to move away from grid electricity (small solar system anybody?), to save water (rain catchment and water recycling systems?) to be outside more (let's make a fun porch), to be more at peace in a living space (what do you envision!?).

Because that is what sustainable design is about: coinciding our own well being with the care of what's around us. What is it that fulfills you, in your daily life? Let's turn it into a lifestyle.

Minka Artisans is based at 30West Community in Oakland.

Jonny was born in Ecuador and grew up in Argentina, El Salvador and Costa Rica. He came to the U.S to attend Deep Springs College, and got a BS in Environmental Studies and Economics from Evergreen State College. He is passionate about narrowing the gap between knowledge and the places it needs to act, and strives to do so in a way that highlights sustainable practices. He's worked in food co-ops, ranches and farms, NGOs, Conservation organizations, but finds most fulfillment in working to re-establish the relevance of our choices in the physical world, and their impact in our environmental, economic and political realms. He tries and mostly fails to have a healthy work-life balance of mostly fun and a bit of work, and loves to support other people attempting the same.

About

Minka Artisans is based at 30West Community in Oakland.

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