Rethink Walls: Flexible, Green Living
June 2023
University of Cambridge

Introduction
Imagine transforming your home like Lego blocks! Researchers at the University of Cambridge have unveiled Ephemeral at the London Design Biennale, showcasing moveable wooden walls as a game-changing, eco-friendly alternative to traditional renovation. Say goodbye to demolition debris and hello to flexible living spaces that adapt to life’s changes, all while being kind to your wallet and the planet. Dive into this innovative project that's not just for the rich and famous. Ready to rethink your space?
READ FULL ARTICLEWhy It Matters
Discover how this topic shapes your world and future
Building a Greener Future, One Wall at a Time
Imagine living in a house where you can change the rooms as easily as you rearrange your furniture. Need a new study space? No problem. Want to open up the living area for a big family gathering? You got it. This isn't a glimpse into a distant, high-tech future but a reality made possible today through the innovative use of moveable wooden walls. This concept challenges traditional construction methods, offering a cheaper, greener alternative to permanent brick and plaster walls. It's not just about saving money or reducing waste; it's a revolutionary approach to living spaces that adapts to life's changes — growing families, new hobbies, or even work-from-home setups. This innovation could redefine urban living, making homes more sustainable and adaptable than ever before. For you, this might mean dreaming up your ideal room layout or imagining how cities could evolve to be more responsive to our needs and kinder to our planet.
Speak like a Scholar

Engineered wood
A strong, versatile material made by binding or fixing strands, particles, fibers, or veneers of wood together with adhesives to form composite materials.

Kerfing
A technique that involves making precise cuts in a material, like wood, allowing it to bend without breaking, used in everything from furniture design to musical instrument construction.

Sustainability
Practices and processes that reduce environmental impact and ensure resources are used in a responsible and efficient manner, ensuring they're available for future generations.

Affordability
The measure of a product's cost in relation to its benefits, often evaluated in terms of its accessibility to people with varying income levels.

Modular
Referring to a design approach that uses standardized units or sections for easy construction and flexible arrangement.

Carbon footprint
The total amount of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, that are generated by our actions, from driving a car to heating a home.
Independent Research Ideas

The psychology of space
Investigate how changing living spaces can impact mental health and productivity. This study could explore how flexible environments cater to personal growth and changing needs.

Sustainable materials in modern architecture
Examine the role of materials like engineered wood in the future of eco-friendly construction. This topic invites a deep dive into how sustainability can be integrated into urban development.

The evolution of living spaces
A historical analysis of how human living spaces have adapted over time, from ancient dwellings to modern, flexible homes. What can history teach us about our future housing needs?

Technology in construction
Explore how new technologies, such as 3D printing and smart materials, are revolutionizing the construction industry. This project could look at the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and design.

Global housing solutions
Research how the concept of moveable walls could address housing challenges in different parts of the world, including disaster recovery and rapidly growing urban areas. This study could highlight the versatility and global potential of sustainable housing innovations.
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