Decon recon: Parametric CADCAM deconstruction research

Abstract

The deconstruction (DeCon) and repurposing (ReCon) of existing structures and materials are worthwhile and relevant endeavors given the potential for such procedures to be more economically and environmentally sustainable than conventional construction methods. Conventional construction methods often utilize virgin materials for the production of architecture, requiring extensive energy to harvest, process, and manufacture the materials for use. Today, we must face the fact that we exist in a carbon-sensitive economy, and demand design approaches that reduce architecture's impact on the environment. Our goal was to develop a CADCAM ReCon design methodology that would have the potential to mitigate carbon consumption. to explore this goal, students engaged a design research project that looked for novel and innovative approaches to the DeCon and ReCon of an existing barn. The student researchers created parametric models and surface designs derived from the existing materials. The digitally fabricated tectonic design constructions resulted in economical, novel, and material-efficient design methodologies for DeCon and ReCon.