Speaker
Corentin Fivet
Re(f)using to Build: Structural Design with Existing Materials
The construction industry faces increasing pressure to adopt circular, sufficiency principles. This talk by Corentin Fivet, head of the Structural Xploration Lab (SXL) at EPFL, explores the transformative potential of structural design that actively integrates existing structures and materials. Fivet will present the SXL's recent advancements in two key areas: (1) innovative strategies for concrete reuse, showcasing research on utilizing reclaimed concrete elements for floor slabs and developing novel wall systems from demolition rubble. These projects demonstrate drastic reductions in embodied carbon and material waste. (2) Furthermore, the talk will highlight interactive design explorations that leverage the specific characteristics and quantities of pre-existing material inventories. This approach enables architects and engineers to directly engage with the "as-found" properties of available resources, fostering creative and resource-efficient structural solutions.
CV
Corentin Fivet is an Associate Professor of Architecture and Structural Design at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland. He leads the Structural Xploration Lab (SXL). The SXL is producing pioneering research on developing new computational design methods and construction processes to facilitate the reuse of load-bearing components in building structures, contributing to a circular economy in the construction industry.
