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Waste Illuminates Worlds
Printed Modular Lamp Design Based On Brick And Clay Tile

Introduction 

The building industry in the New England area is often in a state of entropy, with abandoned brick buildings contributing to urban decay. The recycling rate of brick and clay tile wastes generated by construction and demolition is only 12.2%, meaning the majority is sent to landfills. The expansion of landfills can lead to significant environmental and community challenges, including increased traffic from waste transport, habitat destruction, ecosystem degradation, and contributions to climate change. This thesis explores the use of various biocements for the adhesion of brick grains, examining their bonding mechanisms under Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The application of the modular lamp, which incorporates digital printing technology, not only minimizes waste through precise material usage but also creates special textures. The creation of this lamp contributes to environmental sustainability by diverting still-usable materials away from landfills, reducing the energy required in the manufacturing process, and decreasing the demand for clay extraction, thereby making sustainable development tangible.

The design inspiration for the lamp comes from the molecular behavior of clay, offering the possibility of stacking, arranging, or disassembling the elements as desired. The lamp is made of brick dust and porcelain clay, meaning each one represents a brick recycled from the landfill. By integrating 3D printing technology, the lamp can be customized without the need for new tools or molds, minimizing waste through precise material usage and reducing the amount of raw material needed. More importantly, digital files for 3D printing can be shared globally, allowing for local production that adapts to specific regional needs and reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation. This aspect supports decentralized manufacturing, which can empower communities and promote local economies. In general, the focus of the thesis is on using recyclable rather than extractive materials to create amenities that enhance human comfort while preserving the characteristics of traditional materials and extending the history of clay in New England from a new perspective.

RISD Master Thesis

Advisor

Eduardo Benamor Duarte

Lara Davis

Soojung Ham

Keywords

Construction and Demolition Waste

Biocement

My Skills

Biomaterial research

Sustainability design thinking

Light design

Clay 3d print

RISD Master of Industrial Design 2024 Thesis Book

​Link

Award

Terra Carta Design Lab RISD Finalist

Site

Construction and Demolition Waste Example: Fall River, MA, US

Research

Construction and Demolition Waste Statistics

C&D Waste Statistics
Research

Material Research

Material Research
Biomaterial

One Recipe For Absorbing CO2

CO2 Material

For more biomaterial recipes information, please check the thesis book.

Printed Modular Lamp

Printed Lamp
Printed Modular Lamp
3D printing
3D printing
Material
3D printing
Printed Lamp

Social Equity & Inclusion

Inclusivity
Social Equity & Inclusion

RISD Exhibition

RISD Exhibition
Biomaterial
3D printing
3D printing
3D printing
3D printing
3D printing
Lamp
Modular Wall

Modular Wall System

Modular Wall System
Modular Facade
School Logo

朱烨晨

致力于创新设计

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