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Appropriating the Grid Makes Smart Use of Construction Discard

02.02.21 | By
Appropriating the Grid Makes Smart Use of Construction Discard

After spending two years researching unsustainabilitiy and social inequality within the construction industry, architect Irene Roca Moracia of Central Saint Martins knew how she wanted to act. The European economy overproduces at every stage. From the constant creation and discard of construction materials, caused by the over-regulation of safety and quality, to the delivery of pre-designed structures that don’t work well with rapidly changing needs of users.

wire crates and construction materials

In Appropriating the grid, Roca Moracia makes use of perfectly good materials that have been discarded by construction companies. Working through legal grey zones to obtain them, she then adapts the individual upcycled parts to provide furniture solutions. The eleven modular elements can be used alone or combined to suit the purpose. Roca Moracia’s project, and her research, illustrate how sustainability is a matter of operations and behaviors, not only of architectural design and technology.

wire crates and construction materials

wire crates and construction materials

wire crates and construction materials

wire crates and construction materials

wire crates and construction materials

wire crates and construction materials

wire crates and construction materials

wire crates and construction materials

wire crates and construction materials

wire crates and construction materials

Irene Roca Moracia

Irene Roca Moracia

To learn more about Appropriating the grid, visit irenerocam.com.

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she's likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.