Computation and Waste is a project that combines the capabilities of computational/parametric design software with the pressing issue of construction waste. By using a 3D-scanner, discarded material is digitalized and collected into a digital archive, which the software uses to create products with the given geometries. The goal is to minimize the need for raw materials when building and designing, and to think beyond standardized materials to envision multiple material futures.
Regional
Netherlands
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Mainly urban
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
»Computation and Waste« is a project that combines the capabilities of a newly developed computational/parametric design software with the pressing issue of the re-use of construction waste. By using a 3D-scanner, discarded material is digitalized and transferred to a digital archive, allowing the designer to use the new software to create products with the given geometries of the materials/components collected. The goal is to minimize the need for raw materials when building and designing, and to think beyond standardized materials to envision multiple material futures.
What can be designed when irregular surface structures no longer hinder a design process?
In this project, I explored how material found in a dumpster can be used to design with. By using the production material as a prime parameter to guide the design process, I aim to rethink the relationship between design and production.
Computational Design
Waste
Construction
Circularity
Sustainabiltiy
The construction industry is a major contributor to global CO2 emissions, accounting for 40% of the total emissions and using 40% of the raw materials globally. To address this challenge, I am using discarded materials and parametric design tools to reduce the ecological footprint of construction. Instead of first designing and then selecting materials, I let the materials guide the aesthetic and functional decisions.
I am using a 3D scanner to digitize waste and parametric design systems to create innovative and efficient outcomes. Irregular geometries can be used in the construction of a new building. The software can handle large amounts of complex data, making it possible to scale up from personal to industrial level. Used buildings can become material warehouses that only need to be scanned in and brought into a new cycle. The lifecycle of a building is also a source for material, including cut-offs or broken parts (see attached flowchart).
On a personal and smaller scale, individuals or small groups can gather waste for smaller items like furniture. On a larger and industrial scale, the potential for reuse and recycling is focused on Phase D of the building lifecycle. The potential is no longer categorized by material qualities, but by the tools that allow a new way of designing and constructing.
Whether it's on a smaller or larger scale, the concept is focused on reducing the ecological footprint and prolonging the lifespan of materials. The materials guide the design process and the software enables new ways of designing and constructing with waste.
The »Computation and Waste«– approach to design is unconventional, as I digitally analyze and utilize waste materials as the primary guiding factor in the design process. The aim is to design with secondary materials to reduce dependence on resource extraction and to introduce new life cycles. Starting with two material categories (wood and concrete), I developed tools to handle them on a large scale, as outlined in my concept flowchart.
While computational/parametric design tools are commonly used to create aesthetically pleasing structures in architecture and industrial design, my goal is to use these tools to tackle real-world issues. It is time to move beyond proposing alternatives and implement solutions.
Using my concept in architecture and product design leads to innovative aesthetics and functionality, as the parametric outcome often cannot be pre-imagined. To showcase the necessary shift in design thinking, Using discarded timber elements as a case, I designed and built wooden structures, the multiple use of which can be developed in a next step. Leaving only the visual aesthetic of the irregular connections and the signs of use on the wood asks for finding ways of implementing the structure. In the given project, the focus is not only about the tool itself but the outcomes that can come from the process.
As a next step, I want to further develop my tools so that they can start generating larger structures and allow for a direct implementation within constructions and spatial designs.
Apart from reducing the CO2 footprint and minimizing the material use of a building, I am also enabling a significant decrease in material costs, as I am literally working with waste.
One of the most significant advantages is that they allow designers to customize their designs to meet the specific needs of different user groups. This customization can take into account a wide range of factors such as accessibility, functional requirements, and cultural and personal preferences. As a result, parametric design can help create more inclusive built environments that are accessible and accommodating for everyone.
Another benefit of parametric design tools is that they can help streamline the design process. By automating certain tasks, such as dimensioning and calculating material quantities, designers can focus on the more creative aspects of design. This can result in a more efficient and cost-effective process, which can be especially beneficial for those with limited resources or budgets. Therefore, my goal is to make the concept and tools accessible to everyone for the design stage and thus enable a customer-to-manufacturer (C2M) model, where individual wishes are another prime parameter that guides the design process.
Parametric design tools can also facilitate collaboration between designers and stakeholders, including those with disabilities and diverse cultural backgrounds. By providing a common platform for communication and exchange of ideas, designers can work together to create solutions that are inclusive and reflect the needs and aspirations of all members of the community. This can lead to more equitable and sustainable outcomes that are responsive to the unique needs of each user group.
Parametric design systems are a crucial aspect of the European Green Deal and can use waste materials to construct new structures, offering numerous benefits to civil society. The Green Deal prioritizes reducing waste and promoting sustainability, which are two key benefits of using parametric design systems in construction. These systems can help to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and conserve resources, aligning with the goals of the Green Deal.
Moreover, parametric design systems can lead to the creation of innovative and sustainable building designs. These designs can be optimized for energy efficiency, reducing the carbon footprint of the construction sector, which is a key priority of the Green Deal. By promoting sustainability in construction, parametric design systems can help to create a greener future for all, in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal.
Additionally, the use of waste materials in construction can help to make housing more affordable, an important aspect of the Green Deal's efforts to create a more equitable society. The Green Deal aims to create a just transition to a sustainable economy, and the use of waste materials in construction can play a role in this transition by reducing the cost of construction and making housing more accessible.
For the current stage of the concept, I focused on a personal and local scale in order to understand the immediate challenges and see the materials at hand.
Therefore, the project it focused on addressing waste management and sustainability issues in specific communities, which in my case was Den Haag and the many construction containers on the streets. This involved engaging with local waste processing facilities and experts in sustainability as well as parametric design to understand the specific challenges and opportunities associated with waste reduction and sustainability in that particular community. The project was designed to have a direct and immediate ecological, economical and social impact on the local community with regard to the supply and value chain.
For the higher levels of stakeholders, I have the following ideas and goals in place:
At the regional scale, the project aims to focus on promoting sustainability and waste reduction across a wider geographic area. This involves engaging with regional organizations and government agencies to understand the broader sustainability challenges and opportunities in the region as well as the larger waste (management) systems.
At the national scale, the project can influence national policies and regulations related to sustainability and waste reduction in the construction industry. At the global scale, the project and variety of parametric systems is enhanced by analyzing and incorporating global waste streams, construction techniques and challenges. Understanding the broader global context and opportunities related to sustainability and waste reduction is key.
All these levels can enable an application of the concept in multiple parts of the world and, at the same time, can be used on a local scale, making the possible uses and outcomes endless.
I have consulted with multiple experts in the field of computational/parametric design, architects, designers, and visited waste recycling facilities in the Netherlands to ensure the technical feasibility of my proposal. This is demonstrated in the initial implementation of my wooden structures. Furthermore, my concept was guided by insights gained from visiting a waste management facility, where the employees identified the greatest potential for change in waste production through rethinking the way designers and architects approach design.
Currently, the project remains on a small scale and serves primarily to demonstrate the feasibility of my personal executions. In the next phase of the project, I plan to expand the scope and scale of the project by examining larger quantities of waste and collaborating with other professionals to generate proposals for different material groups and scales.
In contrast, a project that focuses on combining waste with parametric design tools is designed with a specific set of goals in mind, including sustainability, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. These goals are not typically a priority when using parametric design tools to create purely aesthetic products.
Additionally, using parametric design tools in combination with waste to create new structures represents a departure from the traditional approaches to construction. It places waste at the center of the construction process, recognizing its potential as a valuable resource. This is not the case with projects that focus solely on using parametric design tools to create aesthetic products.
With a larger team and additional resources, my proposal has the potential to introduce circularity to the linear economy of the construction industry.
I am working towards the development of multiple parametric design systems that will empower other designers, architects and individuals to design with forgotten materials, whether it is a broken object at home or waste materials at a construction site. This approach will enable change to be implemented on both a personal and large scale, with the potential to impact larger systems as well as local communities.
My long-term vision for the project is to continue to refine and develop my tool to the point where it can be used in real-world design applications. To achieve this, I plan to form partnerships with experts in computational design, architects, engineers and designers who share this vision and can bring a diverse range of perspectives and expertise to the project.
As described in the attached development plan, I will focus on wood as the main waste material parameter in the parametric systems and designed structure for this application. The main goal is to develop a structure that showcases the possiblity of re-using discarded materials and creates awareness in the construction industry.
Parametric design tools offer a unique solution to address global challenges by utilizing waste as a material source. This innovative approach to design can reduce the ecological footprint of construction, as well as prolong the lifespan of materials. Instead of relying on virgin materials, parametric design tools allow us to turn waste into new building materials. By doing so, we can not only reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, but also reduce the CO2 emissions associated with producing new materials.
The use of parametric design tools enables designers to work with irregular geometries and complex data, which opens up new possibilities for construction. The digitalization of waste through 3D scanning and analysis allows for the creation of innovative and efficient designs that were previously not possible. This not only helps reduce the amount of waste generated, but also helps to create a new cycle of reuse and recycling.
Local solutions are crucial in addressing global challenges as they help to reduce the carbon footprint of transportation and promote sustainable practices. By utilizing waste as a material source and turning it into new structures, we can reduce the demand for new materials and contribute to a circular economy.
