Bottom-up generative up-cycling: a part based design study with genetic algorithms

While describing up-cycling as a problem of fitting a set of existing/used materials into a new design, this paper utilises genetic algorithm (GA) and tree forks to exercise design in limited material inventories. It presents a bottom-up generative approach aiming to increase the applicability of up-cycling by reducing the material selectivity. The paper presents two scenarios: the first based on the tree forks being sourced from a single tree and the second utilising waste material, namely tree forks collected from a forest floor. It studies GAs incorporating material dimensions and fabrication constraints from an earlier stage of design to amplify the morphological involvement of these elements and to create a bottom-up generative system. The paper utilises waste material without a prior selection and without changing or deforming their unique geometries to minimise fabrication energy consumption. It presents a fabricated table leg structure made of ten forks.