ethinking Sustainability: A Pedagogical Approach to Explore Design for Disassembly

As climate change and the global waste crisis intensify, the building industry must adopt methodologies that reduce its environmental impact. This study examines a graduate-level design studio centered on Design for Disassembly (DfD), challenging students to design timber structures for multiple life cycles through material recovery, reuse, and adaptability. Students completed two interconnected design assignments, constructing half-scale prototypes that combined theoretical knowledge, digital modeling, and hands-on fabrication. The second assignment required reusing or reconfiguring components from the first, showcasing adaptability and waste minimization. This paper outlines the studioís learning objectives, describes the instructional strategy, assignments and outcomes, and analyzes challenges and opportunities encountered during the course. Studentsí reflection journals revealed that they developed a deeper understanding of sustainability, critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving, while confronting challenges like joinery complexity and material constraints. The study underscores the value of DfD in architectural education to prepare designers to address environmental challenges and advance the circular economy.