As we recognize that our extractive practices are driving
humanity toward an environmental crisis, there has been renewed interest in
reusing materials. From the European Union’s Circular Economy Action Plan to
emerging deconstruction ordinances in U.S. cities like Portland, Seattle, andDenver, and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics' commitment to "radical
reuse," sustainability has become both the ethical compass and ideological
underpinning guiding the practice of architecture for our generation.
Project Un(Build) proposes a reinvention of timber
construction to enable Design-for-Disassembly and wood reuse. In 2018, the U.S.
construction and demolition (C&D) sector generated 41 million tons of wood
waste, with only 9% recycled. Inspired by bamboo lashing techniques, Project
Un(Build) uses strapping as a non-penetrative assembly method, facilitating
easy disassembly while maintaining material integrity. The system envisions a
wide range of applications across varying scales—wood-framed structures, office
partitions, temporary shelters, outdoor pavilions, exhibition walls, and even
furniture. It can also be adapted to join various types of dimensional lumber
and engineered wood products.
Project Un(Build) presents not only a transformation in
material approaches but also an invitation to view design as a form of
innovation—and designers as innovators actively engaged in finding solutions to
the climate crisis.
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Strapped
Timber
Construction
The core mechanism of the strapped wood joint consists of two primary components: the strap and the
friction pad. Wood members are wrapped with tensioned straps, and double-sided
friction pads are placed between each contacting surface. Tightening the straps
compresses the wood members against the friction pads, creating sufficient
friction to resist movement within the joint.
Mockup
Pavilion
This prototype was developed as a proof of
concept. Measuring 8 feet in length, 3.5 feet in width, and 8 feet in height,
the structure consists of six parallel frames. These frames were first
constructed flat on the ground, then lifted, spaced 18 inches apart, connected
with beams, and stiffened using plywood panels.
After the exhibition, the mockup was fully
disassembled by simply removing the straps, and all materials were reclaimed
for reuse.
Load
Testing
The study evaluated the combined performance of friction pads, straps, and wood members in strapped timber construction through preliminary static load tests. Test specimens, consisting of a 12-inch joist attached to two posts using friction pads and metal straps, were subjected to vertical loads using a hydraulic press. Different wood and friction pad combinations were tested under controlled conditions, considering variables such as strap tension, wood density, grain direction, and knots. Results showed that performance strongly depended on the design of the friction pads' teeth. Specifically, white cedar combined with friction pads featuring 2 mm deep teeth supported a 2-ton load before visible deformation occurred.
Strapped
Framing
In
the U.S., the predominant method of residential construction is wood framing,
which uses dimensional lumber joined by nails to create structural frames
stabilized by panel sheathing. However, wood framing’s heavy reliance on nails
and adhesives makes disassembly and material reuse difficult.
Strapped framing imagines an alternative. This approach leverages the skills of local contractors. The
simplicity of strapped framing allows for seamless integration into the
existing construction labor market, empowering local builders to
actively participate in sustainable construction and deconstruction.
Project Un(Build)
Harvard Graduate School of Design
- Exhibition / January 2025
In
the U.S., the predominant method of residential construction is wood framing,
which uses dimensional lumber joined by nails to create structural frames
stabilized by panel sheathing. However, wood framing’s heavy reliance on nails
and adhesives makes disassembly and material reuse difficult.Strapped framing imagines an alternative. This approach leverages the skills of local contractors. The
simplicity of strapped framing allows for seamless integration into the
existing construction labor market, empowering local builders to
actively participate in sustainable construction and deconstruction.
-
- Exhibition / September 2024
In
the U.S., the predominant method of residential construction is wood framing,
which uses dimensional lumber joined by nails to create structural frames
stabilized by panel sheathing. However, wood framing’s heavy reliance on nails
and adhesives makes disassembly and material reuse difficult.Strapped framing imagines an alternative. This approach leverages the skills of local contractors. The
simplicity of strapped framing allows for seamless integration into the
existing construction labor market, empowering local builders to
actively participate in sustainable construction and deconstruction.
Strapped
Bench
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