Branching Inventory
synthesizes material geometry & design intent, reducing embodied carbon and leveraging natural form
Branching Inventory is a full-scale prototype of a novel construction system which allows geometry to be shaped by material, producing architecture that is one-off without the costs typical of the bespoke. Industrialization led to the processing of wood into dimension lumber, resulting in waste and intensive energy consumption. This project questions standardization, demonstrating how material eccentricity can produce novel form while reducing embodied carbon, using democratized and computationally-guided design to create a custom workflow. Branches are scanned, inventoried, and sorted using a low-cost scanning app and parametric workflow, matching natural curvature to the designed geometry and locating stronger branches near the base. The project acts locally and globally: it is demonstrated using regional invasive species bradford pear, incentivizing its removal and use, and its methodology is transferable, creating a refined workflow adaptable to local materials.