Reclaimed Design

2024, Clara Blum, Laura Marsillo, Gonzalo Muñoz Guerrero

Project Video

02:55

Reclaimed Design - An availability-oriented design methodology for reclaimed lumber

“To the formed or formable matter we must add an entire energetic materiality in movement, carrying singularities or haecceities that are already like implicit forms. (…) It is a question of surrendering to the wood, then following where it leads by connecting operations to a materiality, instead of imposing a form upon a matter.”
Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari

 

In an era of resource scarcity and climate change, this study emphasizes a shift towards resource-oriented design methodologies. A computational and fabrication framework for reclaimed lumber is developed to inform the structural design based on material properties, aiming for desired performance and design flexibility.

The challenge in designing with reclaimed lumber lies in the material's inherent variability, which is due to its diverse origins, irregular geometries, and differing prior uses. This research addresses the critical gap of integrating data from pre-processed reclaimed lumber within the construction industry by proposing a design method that considers the complexity of reclaimed materials. We developed a method that integrates material analysis, dataset generation, machine learning (ML), equilibrium-based structural design, fixed robotics, and subtractive manufacturing. Material datasets from physical samples are used to train ML models to predict compressive strength from a non-destructive test to create a high-resolution material gradient within the lumber piece. This enhances the structural design and to implement a physical structure using advanced fabrication techniques.

This method aims to maximize reclaimed lumber utilization, promote sustainable construction practices, and advance the circular economy in construction with wood. 

A mid-scale demonstration of a 7m long truss is implemented, showcasing the potential of this research.

 

ITECH M.Sc. Thesis Project 2024: Reclaimed Design - An availability-oriented design methodology for reclaimed lumber
Clara Blum, Laura Marsillo, Gonzalo Muñoz Guerrero 

Thesis Advisers: Zuardin Akbar, Tzu-Ying Chen

Thesis Supervisor: Prof. Thomas Wortmann
Second Supervisor: Prof. Jan Knippers

 

This project was developed in part through the Autodesk Research Residency Program.
The Autodesk Research Residency Program is a research and development program where a diverse global community of innovators from industry, academic, and entrepreneurial sectors collaborate to design, make, and de-risk the future together.

With support of: Polytec - https://www.polytec.com

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