Design and construction automation of reconfigurable timber slabs

Abstract

Structural adaptivity and readiness for change are some of the key enablers of resilient and sustainable architecture. This paper presents an approach to the design and construction of reconfigurable timber slabs, termed ReconWood Slabs, which integrate a stress-driven design approach and cyber-physical construction processes to enhance data-informed circularity. Using advanced computational design tools, the research outlines a workflow for generating optimised slab configurations that balance structural performance with material reusability. The slabs, composed of modular beams connected via reversible steel fasteners, are designed for easy disassembly and reconfiguration, promoting material reuse across multiple building lifecycles. The paper demonstrates the system's potential through the construction of three slab structures employing Mixed Reality for material data tracking and assembly. The three structures store nearly a ton of CO2eq in reusable parts.