MASS TIMBER – RE-CYCLE LIFE PARADIGM

Mass timber has gained popularity in the past decades. However, the use of the material is quite novel and there is not much experience on what happens to the material once it has reached the end of life.
This essay covers the study of mass timber, however similar studies may be carried out to understand the end of life of other materials such as concrete, steel, etc.

ABSTRACT

According to Ellen MacArthur foundation two more planets will be required to fulfill the need for natural resources in 2050. The demand for natural resources is increasing exponentially.
The construction sector plays an important role in the consumption of raw materials. Raw materials that are used for the construction sector have an effect on the environment due to the process from extraction to construction.

The concept of circular economy was introduced in 1990, and addresses the interlinkages of the four economic functions of the environment. The environment is a fundamental life-support system . Circular economy plays a key role to minimize the environmental impact due to the extraction of primary materials and also to reduce the waste into the environment and therefore minimize the carbon emissions. Its objective is to maintain the value of the materials and the resources in the economy as long as possible to achieve an efficient economy and reduce carbon emissions to the environment.

Recycling gets a key role in the circular economy as obtaining detailed information about the materials that are part of a building. What differentiates the construction sector from others such as the vehicle sector is that in architecture most of the projects are prototypes of future developments, depending on the location, climate conditions, orientation, etc.

This paper includes mass timber products, an overview to Life Cycle Analysis of buildings, recycling potential of the parts involved in the construction process.

Conceptual Collage

Mass Timber – Re-Cycle Life Paradigm – Narratives is a project of IAAC, Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia developed at MMTD in 2021/2022 by student Ricardo Cruz Recalde. Faculty: Daniel Ibáñez. Course: MMTD03 – Narratives 3