Curious Constructions: Speculative Material Assemblies *  

DATE
2023 - Present

LOCATIONIthaca, NY

TYPEMaterial & Building Science Research

FUNDINGAAP Fund for Sustainability

PRIMARY INVESTIGATORDavid Costanza

RESEARCH TEAMMaxwell Rodencal
Danilo Velazquez

OVERVIEWThe Curious Constructions: Speculative Material Assemblies project was a research and design initiative exploring unconventional and environmentally friendly material assemblies for sustainable building design. With funding from the AAP Fund for Sustainability, the project achieved its objectives of conducting extensive research on designing innovative buildings. The ongoing work is focused on creating detailed drawings and visual representations, constructing full-scale mockups, and documenting and sharing the project's findings and design processes through a public exhibition or publication.

KEYWORDSDecarbonization, Sustainability, Low-Carbon, High-Performance, Building Materials, Building Construction

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS The project aimed to accomplish the following goals:

01    Identify a range of non-standard and low-carbon material assemblies suitable for sustainable building design.

02    Develop six innovative building designs featuring unique material assemblies that challenge conventional construction practices.

03    Create detailed drawings and visual representations of each building design, effectively showcasing the integration of the material assembly within the architectural context.

04    Construct full-scale mockups of each material assembly to allow architects, engineers, and researchers to examine their physical properties and performance thoroughly.

05    Document and share the project’s findings and design processes through a public exhibition and a publication.

The project team conducted extensive research to achieve these objectives, including a literature review and analysis of existing non-standard and low-carbon material assemblies, emerging materials, and construction techniques. This research informed the design phase, where six innovative building designs were developed, each featuring a unique material assembly that challenged conventional construction methods.

PROTOTYPING AND TESTINGIn parallel with the design process, the project prioritized prototyping and testing. Physical prototypes were created to evaluate the selected material assemblies' structural, thermal, acoustic, and environmental performance. Through empirical testing, valuable insights were gained regarding the viability and suitability of these assemblies for sustainable design.

FINDINGS AND IMPACTThe project's findings were significant and far-reaching. The material assemblies developed challenged traditional construction methods, demonstrating the potential of non-standard and low-carbon material assemblies for sustainable building design.
        The forthcoming full-scale mockups will allow architects, engineers, and researchers to thoroughly examine the assemblies' physical properties and performance, providing valuable insights for future applications. The findings and design processes will be shared through a public exhibition or publication. The exhibition will showcase the designs and invite engagement and discourse on sustainable design. The publication will provide comprehensive details on the project’s findings, methodologies, and lessons learned, contributing to disseminating knowledge on sustainable materials and practices.

CONCLUSIONThe Curious Constructions: Speculative Material Assemblies project successfully explored unconventional and environmentally friendly material assemblies, contributing to developing a more sustainable built environment. The project’s findings and design processes can potentially drive transformative change and inspire the adoption of sustainable materials and practices within the construction industry.

DCS