Project by Alyssa Duran
This research investigates architectural strategies to mitigate carbon emissions at the end-of-life stage of buildings by rethinking conventional demolition practices through the frameworks of material circularity and passive design. Centered on the application of a Trombe wall system for a one-story residence in upstate New York, the study examines how earthen construction can both reduce operational energy demands and reconfigure end-of-life scenarios. The inquiry asks: what occurs when a building composed of earthen materials reaches obsolescence, and how might its components be designed for disassembly, reuse, or reintegration into the soil? By addressing these questions, the project proposes an alternative model for low-carbon building lifecycles that aligns ecological performance with design practice.
