Interlocking Glued solid timber from reclaimed stock
Student:
Mentors:
Ahmed Alsalhi
Stijn Brancart
Gilber Koscamp
The project explores ways to enhance sustainable building practices by addressing the impact of material availability on the construction industry. Instead of assuming materials are infinitely available, this study examines the implications of treating them as finite resources. Timber was chosen due to the complexities in reusing it and the lack of established workflows for its reuse. A thorough literature review identified key aspects for developing effective timber reuse practices. Based on this, workflows were created to translate critical research aspects—such as structure, grading, matching, and product—into practical applications. These workflows aim to assist carpenters and wood structural designers in creating structural elements, especially interlocking solid timber joists. These joists are designed for easy assembly and improved structural performance of wooden beams without complex techniques. The workflows were rigorously investigated and refined for feasibility. Experiments assessed material behaviour, focusing on topological potential, challenges, and limitations. This research aims to develop robust workflows that support sustainable timber reuse in construction.