0
  • DE
  • EN
  • FR
  • International Database and Gallery of Structures

Advertisement

Environmental Aspects of Use of Aluminium for Prefabricated Lightweight Houses: Dymaxion House Case Study

Author(s):
Medium: journal article
Language(s): English
Published in: Journal of Green Building, , n. 4, v. 2
Page(s): 130-136
DOI: 10.3992/jgb.2.4.130
Abstract:

The paper evaluates the environmental advantages and disadvantages of use of aluminium as building construction material for prefabrication of lightweight houses, by examining a case study of the Dymaxion House, designed by R. B. Fuller. The Dymaxion House was conceived as autonomous, transportable, lightweight, and disassembling unit. The predominant material in its envelope is aluminium. The production of this material has significant energy costs and environmental impact. However, aluminium is highly recyclable, long-lasting and has good performance characteristics, which, on the long run, diminishes the pressure on the natural resources and allows a significant reduction of quantity of used material. The paper re-evaluates its environmental impact on a larger time scale and takes into consideration all the aspects of its application. In addition, design strategies, (such as “design for disassembly”) of the house are studied. Finally, paper provides some considerations about the “service industry” system, as conceived by R.B. Fuller (and also used nowadays in enterprises such as Interface Inc.), necessary for securing the house manufacturer's responsibility over the entire life cycle of the dwelling, thus guaranteeing high recycling rates.

Structurae cannot make the full text of this publication available at this time. The full text can be accessed through the publisher via the DOI: 10.3992/jgb.2.4.130.
  • About this
    data sheet
  • Reference-ID
    10517450
  • Published on:
    11/12/2020
  • Last updated on:
    19/02/2021
 
Structurae cooperates with
International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE)
e-mosty Magazine
e-BrIM Magazine