Location                          Implementable
Programme                    Detail, Concept
Status                               Completed
Type                                   Academic Research
Year                                    2024
Collaboration               Eddy Buckle, Carla Tietzsch

Structural Hybrid Detail

A Modular Structural Grid for Sustainable River Bank Management

Together with Eddy Buckle and Carla Tietzsch, a Structural Hybrid Detail was designed to tackle increasing floodrisk challenges along riverbanks: This innovative system combines durable concrete columns with adaptable hardwood beams and cost-effective pine crosses. The design prioritizes material hierarchy, maximizing the unique qualities of each component. Concrete columns ensure longevity, hardwood beams offer easy user replacement. Pine crosses, while easily replaceable, facilitate crucial connections within the grid. By harnessing existing materials, the detail allows for a future-proof, modular, and bottom-up accessible approach to sustainable river bank management.

The system has been developed through a 1:3 scaled model of one detail, consisting of a concrete cross-column and various connectable pieces of hardwood and pine. The hardwood (Dutch elm – Ulmus Hollandica) parts, now extending from the concrete cross, would be full size beams spanning between two columns. The small pine crosses then function as the connector between the two materials.