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Undoing Traditional Designs 
by Simar Kaur Kochhar
    The Maison Studio, taught by professor Gordon Kipping, addresses the climate crisis by undoing traditional construction methods and embracing innovative sustainable technologies. To exploit emerging building technologies and propose solutions for building more sustainably to address climate goals.   


    In 1914, Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret were confronted with the crisis of the time, a mass urban destruction caused by The Great War. Their response was the design of Les Maisons Dom-ino, or The Domino Houses. The design consisted of a grid of load bearing columns set off of the façade which in turn supported floor slabs and a stair. It was proposed that this standardized concrete structure could be modified and multiplied to enable a diversity of options in the creation of a wide range of quick housing types. This backbone, as they called it, enabled the interior layouts and façade configurations to be considered independently of the structure and consist of less ideal yet abundant materials such as stone calcined by fire or the debris from the ruins of war. The Maisons Dom-ino module formed the basis of the architects’ work for the following decade.

    Recognizing the imperative to combat climate change, as architects we must fundamentally shift our approach to the structural part of the building, rethinking both the materials we use and the methods we employ.


    With approximately 300 million tons of sugarcane waste produced globally, the remnant fibrous waste “Bagasse” provides a sustainable base for an alternative biogenic construction material. Bagasse when bonded with lime forms Sugarcrete. This research focuses on enhancing Sugarcrete’s strength in both compression and tension, ensuring its viability as a structural element in low-rise buildings.By enhancing Sugarcrete’s strength in both compression and tension, it creates a new viable structural material in low-rise unsustainable buildings.

    The aim is to demonstrate how this material can be utilized as a load-bearing slab, structural wall, or insulation material while maintaining a carbon-negative impact on the environment.The investigation began by examining historical precedents and context. One key design that influenced the form of the Sugarcrete block is the flat vault system invented by French engineer Joseph Abeille in 1699. Abeille's design features a standard block with two orthogonal vertical sections and a pair of horizontal sides. This example provided valuable insights for shaping the Sugarcrete block.


    Another significant case study was the flat vault designed by AAU Anastas for the new extension of the Church of St. Mary in Jerusalem. This design employs an innovative construction principle that involves weaving stones together to create the first reinforced stone vault of such scale. The vault, based on a quadrilateral plan, is constructed solely from stone and holds together without any binder. This allows the structure to be easily disassembled, reused, and reassembled in a new location.

    Comparing Sugarcrete to other standardized construction materials finds that Sugarcrete has a very low density, resulting in lightweight bricks that are easy to transport and highly efficient for building purposes. Sugarcrete bricks, known as Sugarslab bricks, offer excellent insulation properties and can be manufactured on-site or off-site, making them a viable and efficient substitute for traditional bricks.

    By utilizing bagasse, Sugarcrete has the potential to support a circular economy in regions where sugarcane is cultivated. This research aims to inform and inspire readers about the sustainable and practical applications of Sugarcrete in modern construction.


    Drawing inspiration from the iconic Maison Domino, the design has reimagined its principles to create a more flexible and environmentally friendly structure. By adopting grid formations, the aesthetic essence of the Maison Domino has been maintained all while introducing a twist.

    The twist incorporated into the grid of the Maison Domino is a structural system made of bamboo arranged in a Fibonacci tunnel pattern. This design eliminates the need for a traditional grid structural system, allowing the structure itself to define the space. The bamboo framework is plastered with Sugarcrete to create the enclosures, ensuring that the entire building is composed of plant-based materials. The twist can be undone and composted at the end of its lifecycle, while the bamboo framework can be reused.

    This reinterpretation allows for a design that can be undone and reconfigured, emphasizing adaptability and resource efficiency.The design approach challenges and transforms the conventional construction paradigms. The integration of the Maison Domino’s grid aesthetics with the use of Sugarcrete has resulted in a fusion of crop waste utilization and mathematical structural design. This not only showcases the potential of alternative materials but also promotes a circular economy where buildings can be deconstructed and repurposed, minimizing waste and environmental impact.
Running on Cargo