Question 1

What is Project (Un)Build?

Accepted Answer

Project (Un)Build is a reversible wood joinery system that allows structures to be disassembled without damaging the material, enabling wood to be reused rather than discarded. The system uses tensioned straps and friction pads to clamp wood members together, relying on compression and friction to stabilize the joint instead of nails or screws. Comparative testing has shown that strapped joints can perform as well as—or better than—common wood connections such as bolts, nails, and screws.
Developed from a research project at Harvard University, the system can be adapted to many types of wood construction, from dimensional lumber to engineered timber elements such as LVL, glulam, CLT, etc.

Question 2

How does the system work?

Accepted Answer

Project (Un)Build uses tensioned straps and friction pads to clamp wood members together. When the straps are tightened, they compress the wood against the pads, generating friction at each contact surface that stabilizes the joint. Because the system relies on compression and friction rather than penetrating fasteners such as nails or screws, the connection can be disassembled without damaging the wood.

Question 3

What are Project (Un)Build’s applications?

Accepted Answer

Project (Un)Build can be applied across a wide range of wood structures and scales. For non-permitted projects, the system can be used for furniture, exhibition installations, interior partitions, and temporary pavilions or shelters.
For permitted construction projects, such as buildings or structural assemblies like strapped beams and trusses, we are currently conducting further structural testing to support engineering validation and future certification. We welcome collaborations with industry partners to advance the development and testing of the system.

Question 4

How strong are the joints?

Accepted Answer

Comparative testing has been conducted to evaluate the performance of strapped joints against common wood connections such as bolts, nails, and screws. The results show that friction-based strapped joints can achieve comparable—and in some cases greater—load capacities. The friction pads also function similarly to shear plates, distributing forces across a larger contact surface and reducing stress concentrations in the wood.

Question 5

Can the joints be reused?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Because the system does not rely on nails or screws, the wood members remain intact when the structure is disassembled. The straps can be released, the components separated, and the materials reused in future structures.

Question 6

Does the system require specialized tools?

Accepted Answer

No. The system uses widely available industrial strapping tools to tension the straps. These tools are commonly used in packaging and construction, making the method accessible without specialized fabrication equipment.

Question 7

Can the system be used outdoors?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The system can be used in outdoor structures such as pavilions or temporary shelters. As with any wood construction, appropriate material selection, weather protection, and corrosion-resistant hardware should be considered depending on the environment and duration of use.