Virginia Film Festival

Many people may see shipping containers as simple components in a vast global economic and supply chain system, but LOT-EK, a renowned architectural studio, has reimagined these industrial bins to have many purposes. Over the past three decades, LOT-EK has envisioned alternative uses for containers and other discarded materials from our industrialized economy, transforming them into unique architectural and artistic spaces. Their creative team’s dedication to environmental sustainability has made them leaders in reuse, ecological construction, and uncovering unexpected beauty within the industrial sector.

Director Thomas Piper skillfully weaves economic, ecological, and aesthetic perspectives, offering a constructive and positive path forward for a society often driven by excessive consumption. We Start with the Things We Find chronicles the humble efforts of one company’s mission to inspire us to see the value in cherishing our resources.

Discussion with producer and director Thomas Piper. Moderated by Suzanne Moomaw (UVA).