Designing Timber Structures for Reuse: Advancing Sustainable Practices through Parametric Modeling and Life Cycle Assessment

In spring 2024, graduate students explored DfD design approaches and developed timber structure prototypes that could be used in multiple life cycles.

This project explores timber structural systems designed for reuse, focusing on parametric modeling and computational evaluation and initial exploration into physical prototyping or fabrication. 

Project is Not Currently Available

This project is not being offered for the current term. Please check back next semester for updates.

Project description

This project addresses pressing socio-environmental challenges in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, including excessive resource consumption, significant construction and demolition (C&D) waste, and the global rise of harmful waste disposal practices. In 2018, the United States generated 600 million tons of C&D debris—more than twice the municipal solid waste—most of which ends up in landfills. Reducing this waste supports the circular economy, conserves landfill space, reduces environmental impacts, and lowers building costs.

The structural components of buildings, particularly their structure and shell, contribute most to the global warming potential (GWP) of the AEC sector. Extending their life cycle through design for disassembly (DfD) and reusable joinery systems offers a sustainable solution. This project explores timber structural systems designed for reuse, focusing on parametric modeling and computational evaluation and initial exploration into physical prototyping or fabrication.

Students will conduct a literature review on life cycle assessment (LCA) and DfD principles, and develop parametric models of modular prototypes, prioritizing adaptability and reusability. The project outcomes include parametric models, visual assembly-disassembly guides, and carbon footprint analysis, forming an open-education resource for architecture students to advance sustainable design practices and computational modeling skills.

Project outcome

The project outcomes include parametric models, visual assembly-disassembly guides, and carbon footprint analysis, forming an open-education resource for architecture students to advance sustainable design practices and computational modeling skills. 

Project details

Timing, eligibility and other details
Length of commitment Longer than a semester; 6-9 months
Start time Spring (January/February 2025) 
In-person, remote, or hybrid? Hybrid Project (can be remote and/or in-person; to be determined by mentor and student) 
Level of collaboration Small group project (2-3 students)
Benefits Stipend
Who is eligible Junior undergraduate students who have completed the Structures 2 course and demonstrate a strong interest in sustainable design and computational modeling. Ideal candidates will have a foundational understanding of structural systems and material properties, exhibit a passion for addressing environmental challenges through innovative design and show enthusiasm for learning parametric modeling and computational design skills. 

Project mentor

Anahita Khodadadi

Assistant Professor

Architecture

Phone: (716) 829-5879

Email: akhodada@buffalo.edu

Start the project

  1. Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
  2. After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about ELN's digital badge options.) 

Preparation activities

Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase. 

To ensure readiness, students will engage in the following preparatory activities:

  1. Literature Review: Reading reference articles on LCA, DfD, and timber construction.
  2. Video Tutorials: Completing beginner-level Grasshopper tutorials to build confidence in parametric modeling.
  3. Information Literacy Courses: Taking three courses offered by UB Library on basic, advanced, and digital information literacy.

These activities provide a strong foundation for successful participation and skill development during the program. 

Keywords

Design for Disassembly, Timber structures, Sustainability, Life cycle assessment, architecture