The MAA is a visionary master program with an innovative and open structure, mixing diverse disciplines, shaping professionals capable of producing theoretical & practical solutions towards responsive cities, architecture & technology.
An Investigation into New Structural Typologies for Timber Reuse
Back to the Future explores how stock-based design and material reuse challenge conventional structural typologies, shifting architectural thinking beyond idealized or “perfect” systems. The seminar emphasizes intuitive understanding of structural behavior prior to digital analysis, combining iterative computational modeling with physical load testing to evaluate force flow, material anisotropy, and reuse-driven typologies. Working with reused timber stocks and building on low-carbon construction practices developed by GS8, students design and test structural systems that integrate waste materials into robust, adaptable architectural solutions.
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Using AI scripting in grasshopper to create and analyse reused timber stacked systems Two methods of creating panels made from an existing stocklist of reclaimed Timber using AI scripting integrated into Grasshopper. The first method explores the simple end to end stacking, by taking a random piece from the stock and placing it in a … Read more
Structurally informed design strategy for reclaimed timber The first iteration explores the performance of an arched shaped beam and its related compression strategy.
“How can a real-time parametric system effectively optimize architectural truss geometry when constrained by a limited, randomized inventory of salvaged timber? “ Geometry vs. Inventory Standard architectural forms assume infinite material. When constrained by random, reclaimed timber offcuts, the geometry itself must adapt to survive. “Shifting the structural burden from material continuity to joint frequency.” Standard … Read more
Structural Analysis: Where You Splice Is Everything This section covers the structural analysis work underpinning our reclaimed portal frame project – from knee joint behavior to the critical question of splice placement. The Portal Frame and Form Variations Different forms of portal frames react differently under mass and load- First we compared the mass of … Read more
Introduction This project investigates how the introduction of openings in existing structures affects structural performance and reuse potential. By analyzing the impact of opening size and position on force distribution (such as shear force and bending moment), the study evaluates changes in stability and structural behavior. Based on these findings, the project establishes a relationship … Read more
DIMENSIONS MATERIAL USED PROCESS OF MAKING BEAM TEST SETUP BEAM DEFORMATION The images document progressive deflection under incremental loading (0 kg to 76 kg) where it can be observed that the block is taking the load on which the beam is placed and it is under high compression whereas beam is held by strap to … Read more
The project documents the iterative design and manual fabrication of a 3-meter span beam constructed exclusively from limited recycled wooden members. Iterations The beam was developed through a series of structural iterations evaluated using utilization ratio, deflection, bending moment, axial force, and shear force. With a fixed inventory of recycled wooden elements, optimization focused on … Read more
Back to the Future– A circular construction prototype using gathered wood elements. Test Setup Type of load The test was setup to handle a single point load. The beam was raised on top of 2 concrete blocks and load applied to the center. Interlocking and Stacking– The Interlocking joinery was conceptualized along with stacking where … Read more
