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

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This project involved addressing 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.  More specifically, Ryan focused on using specialized software to analyze the environmental impact of our buildings. Here is what Ryan had to say about the experience:

What I Did:

"During the course of this research project, I learned how to utilize specialized software to analyze the environmental impact of our buildings. For example, how much water does it take to make a specific structure? How much energy was consumed in its manufacture, and how much carbon dioxide was released into the atmosphere during that process? These questions are crucial in the time of the climate crisis, when architecture and planners need to approach each project with the utmost environmental consciousness. I'm most proud of my growth in understanding this software, and how it can be utilized to the world's benefit. I became skilled in Grasshopper, which was the parametric modeling and analysis tool we were using, which is a cutting-edge piece of equipment in the architecture and design field. I learned a lot about data management and environmental analyses, both of which will be crucial to me as I enter the workforce."

What I Learned:

"Overall, this experience helped my get started on a specific, and highly relevant specialization within the world of architecture and planning. Sustainable architecture is just another small, but crucial step in overcoming climate change, and learning these tools now will allow me to build upon my skills more swiftly, when time seems to be the most important factor in addressing our environmental concerns. Other students must get involved in projects like this in order to ensure that they are brining their best selves to the professional table - We are in a time when highly skilled, highly motivated, and highly passionate individuals are absolutely necessary for "crossing the finish line" of climate change. Projects like this help young people such as myself ensure that as they enter the work force, they're able to do what's necessary in their field to tackle the world's largest problems."