ABSTRACT
This paper examines circular construction practices within the timber track of the Eco-Metabolistic Architecture (EMA) project, focusing on reclaimed timber’s integration into sustainable architectural workflows. The research conceptualizes adaptability as an iterative process linking material properties, contextual considerations, and life cycle histories to support circular flows and cascading reuse. Timber’s renewable and recyclable qualities make it suitable for circular construction, but its heterogeneity and transformation over time present challenges. Reclaimed timber presents significant challenges due to its variable density, strength, and structural integrity, coupled with unknown histories and prior damage. Traditional grading systems fail to address these complexities, requiring advanced methods for evaluation. Through three design probes—ReBeam (material scale), Observatory (element scale), and ReShelter (structural scale)—the paper develops adaptive reclamation methods. These approaches redefine design workflows, expanding beyond material attributes to address cascading potential and long-term integration, contributing to sustainable and innovative construction practices.
