dba Re2bar, LLC.
Course Overview
While the Robotic in Construction Term II Studio Course focuses on means and methods of robotic processes for sustainable materials, this term’s Applied Theory course, Theory and Contexts, fosters analytical thinking about how these materials may be relevant in the industry, addressing the sector’s resource waste (35% EU total) and emissions (40% energy use). Through case studies aligned with the European Green Deal, we elevate our academic investigation on these matarialsto market applications, fostering eco-efficient solutions
Project Objectives
Continuing on past term’s investigations in Advanced Manufacturing for Non-Standardised Materials and Advanced Fabrication for Circular Materials, our group identifies steel reinforcement bars an increasingly prevalent building waste, but still has potential for use and reintegration in the construction industry.
Concurrently, climatic disasters are destroying homes faster than we can rebuild. In the next decade, every human on earth has a 1 in 40 chance of being displaced by natural disasters. Our project addresses an increasing demand for resilient, climate-refugee shelters with the supply of recycled rebar salvaged from condemned reinforced concrete buildings.
Business Analysis
Combined with considerations for Cost Structure and Revenue Streams, our team used a Mind Map to help evaluated our business’ for Key Activities, Key Resources, Valule Proposition, Channels, Costumer Relationships, and Customer Segments.
Kay Partners.
Educational Institutions: Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia
Software Suppliers: Rhinoceros3D and Karamba3D
Material Supplier: Demolition Companies
Key Activities
Product Development: Refining the foldable metal frame design and structural integrity.
Structural Analysis: Employing tools like Rhinoceros with Karamba3D to ensure efficient designs are structurally stable.
Fabrication: Implementing robotic bending processes to construct the designed space frame structures.
Material Sourcing & Logistics: Demolition companies and government entities seeking waste management solutions
Testing and Iteration: Ensuring compliance with environmental and engineering standards.
Key Resources
Technical Expertise: Engineers, designers, and material scientists. Knowledge in computational design and robotic fabrication. City planners and community leaders.
Software Tools: Access to Grasshopper, OWL, Karamba, and other relevant plugins.
Manufacturing Facilities: Production lines for foldable metal frame structures.
Fabrication Equipment: Robotic arms and bending machines for constructing the space frames.
Recycled Concrete Supply: Reliable sourcing partnerships with construction frms.
Materials: 4mm rebar for building the modular cells.
Value Proposition
Disaster Relief & Climate Adaptation: Foldable metal frame structures that offer a fast, fexible and affordable solution to reconstruct a damaged building.
Waste Reduction & Circular Economy: Diverts construction debris from landflls, repurposing it for resilient infrastructure.
Rapid & Cost-Effective Deployment: Foldable, lightweight design allows for easy transportation and quick assembly.
Sustainability Focus: Developing efcient structures that minimize material usage through optimization and circularity.
Channels
IAAC Platforms: Utilizing IAAC’s website and Blog to disseminate information about the workshop.
Social Media: Sharing updates and outcomes on social media platforms.
Academic Publications: Publishing fndings in relevant journals and conferences.
Customer Relationships
Direct Partnerships: Work closely with municipalities, NGOs, and developers for large-scale projects.
Mentorship and Guidance: Instructors and community leaders provide continuous support through volunteering.
Collaborative Learning: Encouraging teamwork among residents.
Social Media & Advocacy: Leverage climate resilience campaigns to raise awareness.
Customer Segments
Communities, municipalities & government agencies: Protection from disaster mitigation.
NGOs & humanitarian organizations: Climate adaptation, disaster recovery.
Construction & demolition firms; Sustainable waste disposal solutions.
Architects & urban planners: Eco-friendly infrastructure system solutions.
Hotels, resorts, & private property owner: Resilitent structures for naturally rich sites.
Academic Institutions: Universities looking to incorporate innovative workshops into their curricula.
Industry Professionals: Practitioners interested in the application of machine learning in design and construction.
Our final presentation was delivered in the form of a business pitch, complete with a gripping undertone to express both urgency of the problem and hope with our product as a solution.
Product: Rebar Building Modules
(re)Bar is a building system that repurposes disaster-wrecked structures into life-saving shelters directly on the site, closing the loop between supply and demand and mitigating waste. Robotic automation reshapes mangled demolished rebar into collapsible, truss-like cages for easy transport and assembly. The modules are filled with local materials—earthbags, salvaged stone, or construction debris—to create durable, climate-resilient shelters.
- Collapsible steel cages
- On-site assembly
- Local materials infill
- Custom design
- Strong structure resilient
Application
(Re)Bar is not just a shelter—it’s an adaptable, scalable system. By using modular steel components, the possibilities are endless.
- 🚫 No waste.
- 🚫 No long-term displacement.
- ✅ Stronger communities, built in record time.
Industry Integration
Reinforced concrete changed the world in the mid-20th century. But with lifespans of 50-100 years, many of these structures are now failing decades earlier due to extreme climate stress. When a building is condemned, it can take years to demolish and rebuild. In the meantime, disaster victims rely on insufficient aid and short-term shelters.
(Re)Bar disrupts this cycle.
- ✔️ Step 1: As soon as a building is condemned, (Re)Bar steps in to salvage and process the available rebar.
- ✔️ Step 2: Using robotic automation, we reshape, rebend, and treat the steel into prefabricated modules.
- ✔️ Step 3: These lightweight frames are distributed to the local community, allowing them to assemble durable shelters with minimal tools or external aid.
This is not just about building structures—it’s about building resilience.
Competition
When comparing alternative building assemblies commonly used for comparable applications, our team weighed relevant factors like carbon emissions, cost, construction time, strength / durability, and visual aesthetics. While some materials were comparable to (re)bar in some categories, no competitor was as stronger than (re)bar in all categories.
Stakeholders
- International Organizations
- NGOs
- Government Agencies
- Regional Organizations
- Private Sector + Foundations
- Local + Community Based Orgs
- Coordination Bodies
- Recycled Rebar Processing Co.
Team
- Aleksandra Kraeva, Director of Bespoke Design Division
- Lauren Deming, Master of Disaster (re)lief
- Vasileios Mavromitros, Director of (re)Manufacturing
- Structural Engineer Consultants
- Community Liaisons
- Rebar Processing Equipment Distributors
Conclusion
(re)bar presents a forward-thinking, sustainable solution to the growing global challenge of disaster relief and climate adaptation. By repurposing recycled reinforcement steel bars salvaged from condemned buildings, the project not only addresses the urgent need for resilient shelters but also significantly contributes to the reduction of construction waste. The integration of robotic automation for efficient material processing and the use of local infill materials for construction exemplifies the potential for a circular economy in the construction industry. Through its scalable, adaptable building modules, (re)bar offers a rapid, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible approach to disaster recovery, ultimately fostering stronger, more resilient communities. As the world faces increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters, (re)bar’s innovative approach underscores the importance of sustainable, adaptable solutions to meet the demands of the future.
