A research team from Washington State University, in Pullman, has developed a method of taking discarded construction and demolition waste and turning it into a unique building system. The team hopes that this will reduce the amount of discarded waste from construction projects, while also creating affordable housing.

In 2017, the American Institute of Architects provided grant funding to bolster the research and just recently, in 2018, the team received an Amazon Catalyst grant to take their development from the laboratory to a demonstration structure.

The main source of unused material that the team utilizes is from discarded dry-wall waste. According to a news post by Washington State University, more than a ton of drywall scrap is produced from building a 2,000 square-foot home.

Reportedly, the university has partnered with local contractors to receive the construction by-products, and the students use a large press to build the blocks. In 2019, the researchers hope to meet seismic and fire code regulations, as well as construct a 160 square-foot demonstration structure.

Until December 6, 2018, a prototype structure will be on display at the Washington State History Museum on 1911 Pacific Ave, in Tacoma. To read the entire news article containing this information, click HERE.