Lina Brülls, Graduate Architect and Master’s Student in the Computer Science Program at Chalmers University of Technology

The master’s thesis “Resource-Driven Design” explores how the design process can be adapted to facilitate the reuse of structural concrete elements. Research done in the thesis indicates that current design and data processes are not easily translatable to reuse scenarios, where preexisting structural and geometrical attributes of materials must be considered. Based on this, three key research questions are formulated: identifying the necessary data for the reuse design process, developing a Grasshopper Rhino plugin for data integration, and applying this tool in case projects with the aim of optimising reuse.

The developed Grasshopper plugin, programmed in C#, enables data handling from Excel into Rhino. It generates structural modules from reused hollow-core and load-bearing wall elements based on desired design parameters. The tool was tested in three architectural projects on Siriusgatan in Bergsjön. Regular consultations with the ReCreate team at KTH provided helpful expertise and feedback throughout the development process.

The study’s findings suggest that integrating data early in the design process can improve the efficiency and feasibility of reusing structural elements. One key challenge encountered in this project was planning within the constraints of the generated load-bearing modules. Including glulam beams introduced necessary flexibility, enabling adjustments in level height and allowing the removal of some load-bearing wall elements.