/THÝAAR/

Thýra (door, threshold, beginning) + RAAR (Reusable Architectural Assemblies Research)

THÝAAR is a not-for-profit design research initiative focusing on developing reusable architectural assemblies. Four benchmarks define the work: 1. Faster to build than conventional light frame systems. 2. As easy to disassemble as to assemble. 3. As economical as traditional light-frame systems, with better structural and functional performance. 4. Adaptable to a wide range of designs and layouts. What follows are periodic updates recording this ongoing endeavor. THÝAAR is directed by Pouya Khadem and it’s based in Houston, TX.

MARCH 2026 | RESEARCH | NOTE A

Introduction to Essential Seed

Essential Seed is a concept to offer a scalable strategy to allow buildings to be a dynamic asset throughout time. It is a functional and immediate structure of the project designed for ease of assembly, disassembly, and expandability. It performs as a core that allows for immediate minimal use, yet, ease of expansion and adaptation over time. Its goal is to accelerate occupancy and time-to-market, enabling the project to generate economic value more immediately. The structure then expands and evolves over time as resources allow. The ability to seamlessly expand while building is operating requires offsite fabrications with predictable and precise results. That is why Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is the right choice for this approach; Essential Seeds utilizes off-site prefabrication and CNC manufacturing abilities intrinsic to CLT to ensure that core components are sufficiently independent of site-specific constraints. This allows for exact digital replication and seamless integration of new components over time.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

International Organization for Standardization. Sustainability in Buildings and Civil Engineering Works — Design for Disassembly and Adaptability — Principles, Requirements and Guidance. ISO 20887:2020. Geneva: ISO, 2020. https://www.iso.org/standard/69370.html
Think Wood. "Projects That Pencil Out: Speed Up Construction with Mass Timber." Think Wood (blog), 2022. https://www.thinkwood.com/blog/projects-that-pencil-out-speed-up-construction-with-mass-timber.

Fig. A1. The graph depicts a common 4-over-1 mixed-use typology planned using the Essential Seed strategy with CLT. This approach enables phased development, allowing projects to reach market faster while maintaining flexibility and scalability in response to change in demand. The result is a more efficient, adaptable building structure that can evolve over time.

Fig. A2. The graph illustrates a common 4-over-1 mixed-use typology planned using traditional construction methods. This approach requires the full development potential to be built upfront. Because future modifications are too costly and difficult, the approach offers limited adaptability to changing market conditions over time.