New tectonics of concrete through rubble reuse

Driven by the sustainability of the construction industry, concrete rubble is increasingly considered as a construction material rather than a waste. Analysing structures from such material through the conceptual tool of tectonics highlights a fertile ground to be developed. The study shows that this emergence lies at the intersection of peculiar technological, cultural and economic contexts. While early tectonics of concrete rubble reuse are shown to relate to concrete casting and stone masonry, they nonetheless require their own development. After unfolding the socio-historical development of these two reference material systems and their expressiveness, the emergence of reused concrete rubble as a new system is characterised. The prospective tectonics of such a system are further analysed through a case study wall built with digital processes. The study thus identifies the premises of such new tectonics-between brutalism, rustication, spoliation and mise en abyme of concrete-while considering their potential polarisation effect.