Structuring architecture with salvaged timber: Exploring an interlocking modular system and beyond

Gengmu Ruan; Günther H. Filz; Gerhard Fink

doi:10.1201/9781003658641-13

Structuring architecture with salvaged timber: Exploring an interlocking modular system and beyond

Gengmu Ruan^*, Günther H. Filz, Gerhard Fink

^*Corresponding author for this work

Universität Innsbruck

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Scientific › peer-review

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Abstract

This paper explores an interlocking modular system constructed from salvaged timber through an integrated structural and architectural design process. Starting from a simple reciprocal frame concept, two design cases were developed from different types of deriving logic. Physical prototypes were constructed at full scale using locally salvaged timber in both cases. An experimental loading test was performed for one prototype under specific loading and boundary conditions according to its potential structural application. The test results demonstrate the structural potentials and limits of the prototype. Through rethinking the design, making and testing of the presented cases, the relationship of structure and architecture is extensively discussed, where structuring architecture is proposed as an alternative approach to pursuing sustainability.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Structures and Architecture
Subtitle of host publication	REstructure REmaterialize REthink REuse
Editors	Mario Rinke, Marie Frier Hvejsel
Publisher	CRC Press
Pages	105-112
Number of pages	8
ISBN (Electronic)	978-1-003-65864-1
ISBN (Print)	978-1-041-11139-9
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003658641-13
Publication status	Published - 2025
MoE publication type	A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
Event	International Conference on Structures and Architecture - Antwerp, Belgium Duration: 8 Jul 2025 → 11 Jul 2025 Conference number: 6

Publication series

Name	Structures and Architecture
Volume	3
ISSN (Print)	2643-6698
ISSN (Electronic)	2643-6701

Conference

Conference	International Conference on Structures and Architecture
Abbreviated title	ICSA
Country/Territory	Belgium
City	Antwerp
Period	08/07/2025 → 11/07/2025

Keywords

structuring architecture
salvaged timber
wood interlocking system
modular fabrication
sustainability

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10.1201/9781003658641-13Licence: CC BY-NC-ND

Structuring architecture with salvaged timber_ Exploring an interlocking modular system and beyond_25_07_01_13_32_37Final published version, 6.95 MBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

Cite this

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title = "Structuring architecture with salvaged timber: Exploring an interlocking modular system and beyond",

abstract = "This paper explores an interlocking modular system constructed from salvaged timber through an integrated structural and architectural design process. Starting from a simple reciprocal frame concept, two design cases were developed from different types of deriving logic. Physical prototypes were constructed at full scale using locally salvaged timber in both cases. An experimental loading test was performed for one prototype under specific loading and boundary conditions according to its potential structural application. The test results demonstrate the structural potentials and limits of the prototype. Through rethinking the design, making and testing of the presented cases, the relationship of structure and architecture is extensively discussed, where structuring architecture is proposed as an alternative approach to pursuing sustainability.",

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publisher = "CRC Press",

pages = "105--112",

editor = "Mario Rinke and {Frier Hvejsel}, Marie",

booktitle = "Structures and Architecture",

address = "United States",

note = "International Conference on Structures and Architecture, ICSA ; Conference date: 08-07-2025 Through 11-07-2025",

}

Ruan, G , Filz, GH & Fink, G 2025, Structuring architecture with salvaged timber: Exploring an interlocking modular system and beyond. in M Rinke & M Frier Hvejsel (eds), Structures and Architecture: REstructure REmaterialize REthink REuse. Structures and Architecture, vol. 3, CRC Press, pp. 105-112, International Conference on Structures and Architecture, Antwerp, Belgium, 08/07/2025. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003658641-13

Structuring architecture with salvaged timber: Exploring an interlocking modular system and beyond. / Ruan, Gengmu ; Filz, Günther H.; Fink, Gerhard.
Structures and Architecture: REstructure REmaterialize REthink REuse. ed. / Mario Rinke; Marie Frier Hvejsel. CRC Press, 2025. p. 105-112 (Structures and Architecture; Vol. 3).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Scientific › peer-review

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AB - This paper explores an interlocking modular system constructed from salvaged timber through an integrated structural and architectural design process. Starting from a simple reciprocal frame concept, two design cases were developed from different types of deriving logic. Physical prototypes were constructed at full scale using locally salvaged timber in both cases. An experimental loading test was performed for one prototype under specific loading and boundary conditions according to its potential structural application. The test results demonstrate the structural potentials and limits of the prototype. Through rethinking the design, making and testing of the presented cases, the relationship of structure and architecture is extensively discussed, where structuring architecture is proposed as an alternative approach to pursuing sustainability.

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KW - salvaged timber

KW - wood interlocking system

KW - modular fabrication

KW - sustainability

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Y2 - 8 July 2025 through 11 July 2025

ER -

Structuring architecture with salvaged timber: Exploring an interlocking modular system and beyond

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Keywords

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