Christopher Bamborough (PhD)
@smthspce.bsky.social
I am a research academic at the UNSW ARC Centre for Next Gen Manufacturing (Arch_Manu), which seeks to improve sustainability in the AEC sector. I speak about digital sustainability, circular resources, future practice and ethical production.
Projects like the Shellscape Pavilion view material waste as an opportunity. However, a project can only be called 'circular' if it also considers the end of life and reintegrates materials as resources without expending energy to break them down.
Shellscape Pavilion: Exploring Wood–Bioplastic Composites in Architecture - Rhino3Dzine
The Shellscape Pavilion explores the architectural potential of waste-derived composites through a fully computational and robotic workflow. Developed as part of a PhD research project, this…
rhino3dzine.com
September 12, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Projects like the Shellscape Pavilion view material waste as an opportunity. However, a project can only be called 'circular' if it also considers the end of life and reintegrates materials as resources without expending energy to break them down.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation provides much needed leadership for circularity, but chemist and environmental scientist Leonie Barner argues it misses the issue of material overconsumption, and advocates for architects to address this challenge. buff.ly/8OYmvoF
Overconsumption – a global challenge that can be addressed by architects
Leonie Barner explains how early conversations with project stakeholders can help reduce Australia’s heavy use of raw materials.
architectureau.com
June 25, 2025 at 11:47 PM
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation provides much needed leadership for circularity, but chemist and environmental scientist Leonie Barner argues it misses the issue of material overconsumption, and advocates for architects to address this challenge. buff.ly/8OYmvoF
Materiom is an interesting database project for biomaterials. It includes an LLM chatbot to help source research into bio-based materials. We will need more of this kind of information access if we are to transition to a zero carbon circular economy . commons.materiom.org/materiom-ai
June 25, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Materiom is an interesting database project for biomaterials. It includes an LLM chatbot to help source research into bio-based materials. We will need more of this kind of information access if we are to transition to a zero carbon circular economy . commons.materiom.org/materiom-ai
I'm very interested in how music culture and architecture relate, particularly in the night time economy. One trend that I, and this article, have observed from Japan and more recently London and Berlin is the listening bar and day time events. buff.ly/TFEUTPQ
Focused on quality music and sound, listening bars are transforming nightlife - Pioneer DJ
From Barcelona to Brisbane, people are flocking to Japanese-inspired bars with hi-fi sound and treasured music played mostly on vinyl.
blog.pioneerdj.com
June 11, 2025 at 11:47 PM
I'm very interested in how music culture and architecture relate, particularly in the night time economy. One trend that I, and this article, have observed from Japan and more recently London and Berlin is the listening bar and day time events. buff.ly/TFEUTPQ
The first in a series of Smth::Motion videos where I record a DJ mix through the XBox Kinect and create visuals through Open Frameworks.
Smth::Motion 1
A DJ mix series recorded through the XBox Kinect V1.Track Listing Timestamps00:00:00 Warp - Eye Contact - The Other People Place00:04:17 Warp - Let Me Be Me ...
www.youtube.com
May 18, 2025 at 5:23 AM
The first in a series of Smth::Motion videos where I record a DJ mix through the XBox Kinect and create visuals through Open Frameworks.
It is great to see more circular projects in the Australian Architecture media, but I hope we can move towards more information about how it was done. The photos of the Pittwater House School by Neeson Murcutt Neille look great, but it is hard to understand the original building. buff.ly/zkQNF36
Pittwater House School by Neeson Murcutt Neille
In Sydney’s Northern Beaches, a strategic design intervention demonstrates the benefits and efficiencies of building with less – a reduced carbon footprint, lower project costs and increased school…
buff.ly
April 25, 2025 at 2:20 AM
It is great to see more circular projects in the Australian Architecture media, but I hope we can move towards more information about how it was done. The photos of the Pittwater House School by Neeson Murcutt Neille look great, but it is hard to understand the original building. buff.ly/zkQNF36
Is the wagon wheel supposed to signify a train?!?!...."World's first" 3D-printed railway station built in Japan in six hours buff.ly/9yiGHYq
April 24, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Is the wagon wheel supposed to signify a train?!?!...."World's first" 3D-printed railway station built in Japan in six hours buff.ly/9yiGHYq
The Belgian cooperative, Rotor, are an interesting architectural practice, one that investigates the organisation of the material environment. They have recently expanded to be Rotor DC, with a focus on salvaging materials and reintroducing them to the market.
Salvage Dealers: Rotor on the Ready Made – KoozArch
From policy advocacy to hands-on material salvage, Rotor's cooperative practice delves into the challenges and opportunities of redefining how we build and think about existing resources. This makes…
buff.ly
April 21, 2025 at 6:41 AM
The Belgian cooperative, Rotor, are an interesting architectural practice, one that investigates the organisation of the material environment. They have recently expanded to be Rotor DC, with a focus on salvaging materials and reintroducing them to the market.
Some concerning findings from the Guardian. Just 9.5% of plastic made in 2022 used recycled material, study shows that despite rhetoric by producers, supermarkets and drinks companies, not enough plastics are being recycled. I wonder if it has improved in the last three years?
Just 9.5% of plastic made in 2022 used recycled material, study shows
Global research reveals most of 400m tonnes produced using fossil fuels, predominantly coal or oil
buff.ly
April 16, 2025 at 6:41 AM
Some concerning findings from the Guardian. Just 9.5% of plastic made in 2022 used recycled material, study shows that despite rhetoric by producers, supermarkets and drinks companies, not enough plastics are being recycled. I wonder if it has improved in the last three years?
I enjoyed this article by Usha Iyer-Raniga about circularity and whole-life-cycle recommendations, but I think it is wrong to treat waste and circularity separately. Architects have as much design control over reusing waste materials as they have at reducing left over materials. buff.ly/LH9gTlv
Whole-life-cycle recommendations
AA Dossier guest editor Chris Knapp brings together perspectives from a range of experts as well as project case studies to help guide the interested but circularity-novice architect on the journey…
buff.ly
April 16, 2025 at 2:20 AM
I enjoyed this article by Usha Iyer-Raniga about circularity and whole-life-cycle recommendations, but I think it is wrong to treat waste and circularity separately. Architects have as much design control over reusing waste materials as they have at reducing left over materials. buff.ly/LH9gTlv
Day 1 of CAADRIA 2025 Tokyo done! It was great to catch up with people, make some new contacts, and see the beautiful Tokyo University. The paper presentations and key notes from Tomohiro Tachi and Behnaz Farahi were inspiring! Looking forward to day 2.
March 27, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Day 1 of CAADRIA 2025 Tokyo done! It was great to catch up with people, make some new contacts, and see the beautiful Tokyo University. The paper presentations and key notes from Tomohiro Tachi and Behnaz Farahi were inspiring! Looking forward to day 2.
If you are not one for reading lengthy reports, and you are interested in what a future of circular resource use might look like, the fiction film sci-fi documentary 'les matérialistes' depicts a future circular economy in construction. buff.ly/o9uu9K8
sci-fi documentary les matérialistes envisions a future circular economy in construction
buff.ly
March 21, 2025 at 5:41 AM
If you are not one for reading lengthy reports, and you are interested in what a future of circular resource use might look like, the fiction film sci-fi documentary 'les matérialistes' depicts a future circular economy in construction. buff.ly/o9uu9K8
Werner Sobek’s trilogy “non nobis” was "non nobis I" is the first comprehensive contemporary analysis of the construction industry and its impact on the climate. Until now it has only been available in German, but there is now a digital brochure available that is a must read.
non nobis I and II – Excerpts from the English Version
Until the English version of both volumes is published, an extract in English is available as a digital brochure.
buff.ly
March 21, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Werner Sobek’s trilogy “non nobis” was "non nobis I" is the first comprehensive contemporary analysis of the construction industry and its impact on the climate. Until now it has only been available in German, but there is now a digital brochure available that is a must read.
Dr Nicole Gardner and I are looking forward to running a session at the Australian Architecture Conference called "Human vs. Machine: Who's Designing the Future?" in Sydney on Saturday, 03 May. Today was a fun day exploring AI ethics games to help communicate training data bias.
Human vs. Machine: Who's Designing the Future? | Australian Architecture Conference | 02-03 May 2025
As artificial intelligence and automation reshape the design landscape, what role will humans play in shaping our built environments?
buff.ly
March 20, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Dr Nicole Gardner and I are looking forward to running a session at the Australian Architecture Conference called "Human vs. Machine: Who's Designing the Future?" in Sydney on Saturday, 03 May. Today was a fun day exploring AI ethics games to help communicate training data bias.
Although there are some who are not willing to do their part and invest in an emissions free future, we should not forget that we have the tools to decarbonise and make buildings zero carbon, so lets use them!
ARCHITECTURE INDUSTRY DECARBONISATION PLAN 2025-2050 - Australian Institute of Architects
A pathway to net-zero emissions for a sustainable future - Advocacy Summary.
www.architecture.com.au
March 18, 2025 at 5:41 AM
Although there are some who are not willing to do their part and invest in an emissions free future, we should not forget that we have the tools to decarbonise and make buildings zero carbon, so lets use them!
How does data shape the way architects design and build? In my latest Substack post, I unpack the hidden influence of data on architectural practice—from its historical origins and cultural biases to its role in forecasting future realities.
March 18, 2025 at 1:20 AM
How does data shape the way architects design and build? In my latest Substack post, I unpack the hidden influence of data on architectural practice—from its historical origins and cultural biases to its role in forecasting future realities.
The Danish are leading the way in circular thinking, they are already introducing new mindsets for choosing and handling materials. I'd like to think we can all get behind the change from “take-make-waste” to “reduce, reuse, recycle” (cue Jack Johnson). buff.ly/fqkdPGM
Rethinking building traditions
Researchers at the Centre for Industrialised Architecture in Copenhagen highlight the opportunities of utilising existing knowledge and biogenic materials in our built environment.
architectureau.com
March 12, 2025 at 1:20 AM
The Danish are leading the way in circular thinking, they are already introducing new mindsets for choosing and handling materials. I'd like to think we can all get behind the change from “take-make-waste” to “reduce, reuse, recycle” (cue Jack Johnson). buff.ly/fqkdPGM
Design will be at the centre of Australia's circular economy efforts, and closed-loop strategies can greatly reduce waste and carbon emissions in the AEC sector. According to the 2024 circularity framework, design will be critical to tracking and reappropriating materials in adaptive reuse.
January 20, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Design will be at the centre of Australia's circular economy efforts, and closed-loop strategies can greatly reduce waste and carbon emissions in the AEC sector. According to the 2024 circularity framework, design will be critical to tracking and reappropriating materials in adaptive reuse.
Late in 2024, the Australian Government launched its Circularity framework, which aims to double the national circularity rate by 2035. While this target seems a little lacklustre at first, it translates into recovering 80% of our resources through closed-loop systems.
Australia's Circular Economy
A more circular Australia is a future where nature and the economy thrive together. The circular economy is key to unlocking a future where economic progress goes hand in hand with nature’s regeneration, securing Australia’s natural wealth for generations to come.
buff.ly
January 17, 2025 at 5:41 AM
Late in 2024, the Australian Government launched its Circularity framework, which aims to double the national circularity rate by 2035. While this target seems a little lacklustre at first, it translates into recovering 80% of our resources through closed-loop systems.
Matters journal have published an inspiring overview of AI projects to build a better world. The term 'digital twin' is used to refer to create custom-fit denim and apparel, but perhaps 'digital replica' is more appropriate for a pair of jeans that matches a digital scan? https://buff.ly/49yJGhY
Meet the Companies Using AI to Solve the World’s Greatest Environmental Challenges — Matters Journal
Whether it’s the future of general intelligence or the disruptions caused by generative AI, almost everyone alive is waking up to the world-changing potential of these breakthrough technologies.
buff.ly
December 13, 2024 at 5:41 AM
Matters journal have published an inspiring overview of AI projects to build a better world. The term 'digital twin' is used to refer to create custom-fit denim and apparel, but perhaps 'digital replica' is more appropriate for a pair of jeans that matches a digital scan? https://buff.ly/49yJGhY
The latest stage in exploring connection details through robotic 3d printing Gcode toolpath control. The piece shown will eventually be a table, with a central element holding four identical parts as legs and table top. A big thank you to Louis Sabri and Max Melamed for digital fabrication support.
December 13, 2024 at 1:20 AM
The latest stage in exploring connection details through robotic 3d printing Gcode toolpath control. The piece shown will eventually be a table, with a central element holding four identical parts as legs and table top. A big thank you to Louis Sabri and Max Melamed for digital fabrication support.
Its not often that you find a truly unique web experience; what is more, the argument for more local, ecologically focussed making, out of sheds, is so up my alley! Index - Future Observatory Journal
-shedding - Future Observatory Journal
Future Observatory Journal is published by Future Observatory, the Design Museum’s national research programme for the green transition, delivered in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research…
buff.ly
December 9, 2024 at 1:20 AM
Its not often that you find a truly unique web experience; what is more, the argument for more local, ecologically focussed making, out of sheds, is so up my alley! Index - Future Observatory Journal
Some excellent research coming out of UNSW and UTS on reducing embodied carbon in office buildings. Future research could involve using evolutionary modelling to explore a range of building designs and help support the findings.
How low can we go? Australian study explores the extent to which embodied carbon can be reduced in office buildings
"To cut the carbon that goes into buildings to net zero, we need radical change," writes Philip Oldfield, Gerard Reinmuth and William Craft.
buff.ly
December 6, 2024 at 5:41 AM
Some excellent research coming out of UNSW and UTS on reducing embodied carbon in office buildings. Future research could involve using evolutionary modelling to explore a range of building designs and help support the findings.
Have you ever thought about how the built environment sounds? How about exploring the geophony (the sounds of the earth), anthrophony (the sounds of humans), and biophony (the sounds of life) in our buildings? https://buff.ly/49lr5pv
How to Design Better with Sound - Metropolis
In an exclusive webinar, METROPOLIS partnered with Turf, bringing together interior design's best minds in sound and acoustic design.
buff.ly
December 6, 2024 at 1:20 AM
Have you ever thought about how the built environment sounds? How about exploring the geophony (the sounds of the earth), anthrophony (the sounds of humans), and biophony (the sounds of life) in our buildings? https://buff.ly/49lr5pv
I love it when my architecture and skateboarding interest align, especially when Alvar Aalto is involved - skateboarding meets architecture: Finnish exhibition explores Alvar Aaalto's Villa Mairea pool https://buff.ly/3OEaKD0
skateboarding meets architecture: finnish exhibition explores alvar aalto's villa mairea pool
buff.ly
December 5, 2024 at 5:41 AM
I love it when my architecture and skateboarding interest align, especially when Alvar Aalto is involved - skateboarding meets architecture: Finnish exhibition explores Alvar Aaalto's Villa Mairea pool https://buff.ly/3OEaKD0