Integrating irregular inventories: Accessible technologies to design and build with nonstandard materials in architecture

Abstract

Circular principles are a promising method to reduce embodied carbon in construction. Material reuse has the potential to reduce waste and environmental impacts of the extraction, production, and transportation of new materials. However, its implementation can be limited by the challenging nature of irregular materials that do not fit traditional design approaches, fabrication tools, and standards. In response, this paper proposes a generalized, accessible framework for working with irregular material sources in architecture. This framework includes computational tools and fabrication strategies that enable, expand access to, and scale up this approach in the AEC industry. The methodology is demonstrated through four design-build examples that leverage the irregularity of different materials into new architectural assemblies.