Architecture, College of

 

Date of this Version

5-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Citation

A design thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Architecture at the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Architecture

Major: Architecture

Under the supervision of Professor David Newton

Lincoln, Nebraska, May 2024

Comments

Copyright 2024, Kathleen O'Gara. Used by permission

Abstract

This thesis posed the question, “How can buildings be designed to be disassembled and reused to reduce construction and demolition waste and reduce our unsustainable reliance on raw materials?” Designing for disassembly and reuse has the potential to dramatically increase the life of building materials, thus decreasing construction and demolition waste relating to architecture. When designing with deconstruction and reuse in mind, designers must consider the next life of these materials. The thesis was further narrowed to push the adaptability of these materials by designing a structural kit of parts. The structure system is often seen as a stable and unchanging layer of a building.

The work completed in this thesis is only the beginning of an exploration into the topic of circular design. Circular design practices need to be implemented in all layers of a building to be truly successful. I imagine a future where multiple designers develop circular building systems with reuse in mind. The systems will become intertwined and combined in ways the designers never could have anticipated. System diversity is important in a circular economy and I believe diversity is also important in these building systems.

Advisor: David Newton

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