I look for building-based solutions to social problems because of my belief in the power of social infrastructure, a term redefined by Eric Klineberg as “physical places that allow bonds to develop.” (Klineberg, 2018). It’s been shown that well-designed spaces increase productivity, prevent depression and create opportunities to form a shared culture (Ricci, 2018). The challenge I’m interested in is promoting aesthetically pleasing structural systems by proving that they, both old and new, can be practical, resilient and sustainable.

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Lateral Strength and Ductile Behavior of a Mortise-Tenon Connected Timber Frame does this by using non-linear material properties to manage failure and protect valuable components, reviving the mortise-tenon connected heavy timber framing style—elegantly done throughout the world for centuries—in an effort to make it a viable modern construction method, primarily in seismically prone regions. This research aims to introduce an alternative construction option to the building market that both benefits building owners and enhances the quality of life for occupants, whether it’s a low income housing project or an office building. 

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Using a modified ancient connection method, this project demonstrates not only that a doweled connection can endure significant deformations caused by seismic or wind forces without breaking, but that isolating damage into dowels preserves the integrity of the frame’s main structural elements, allowing immediate re-occupancy of the building by enabling rapid, cost-effective repairs.