As a prototype building that demonstrates how infrastructural refuse can be salvaged and reused, the structural system for this 3,400sf house is comprised of steel and concrete discarded from Boston?s Big Dig utilizing over 600,000 lbs of salvaged materials from elevated portions of the now dismantled I-93 highway. Planning the reassembly of the materials in a similar way one would systematically compose with a pre-fab system, subtle spatial arrangements are created from the large-scale highway components.

These same components, however, are capable of carrying much higher loads than standard building materials, thus easily allowing the integration of large-scale planted roof gardens. Most importantly, the project demonstrates an untapped potential for the public realm: with strategic front-end planning, much-needed community programs including schools, libraries, and housing could be constructed whenever infrastructure is deconstructed, saving valuable resources, embodied energy, and taxpayer dollars. Project Info:
Architects: Single Speed Design
Location: Lexington, United States
Site Area: 1,784 sqm
Area: 353.0 m2
Project Year: 2008
Project Name: Big Dig House

All Images Courtesy Of Single Speed Design

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