The Tectonics of Reuse: An Investigation into the Architectural Expression of Reclaimed Timber and Design for Disassembly (DfD) through the process of Deconstruction, Reprocessing, and Prototyping

Abstract

Buildings are major consumers of resources and generators of waste, both during construction and at the end of their lifespan. With growing concern over the environmental impacts of materials, this thesis explores the potential of reclaimed wood as a creative constraint for developing contextual, expressive, and low-carbon design solutions.

Prototyping at the furniture scale is used to identify and distill theories, methods, and principles for building with reused materials. These insights are then scaled up to inform a reimagining of Light Wood Framing (LWF) in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The result is two key interventions: redesigning the nailed butt-joint for disassembly and adapting the frame to accommodate the dimensional variation of salvaged timber.

By engaging with the full material life cycle—from sourcing to reuse—this thesis offers insights into alternative building practices, the limitations of existing systems, and the potential for materials to flow meaningfully across time and scale.