Rethinking our world of 'waste'

College of Design student Yash Akhouri participates in prestigious design festival with donor support
 

Yash Akhouri, BArch ’23, had never been to the US before he applied to become a Duck. Four years after his arrival from South Africa, Akhouri’s work with College of Design Dean Adrian Parr was presented at the prestigious Venice Biennale. Private gifts provided the opportunity to attend. 

Akhouri has also held research positions with the TallWood Design Institute and the Institute for Health in the Built Environment and an internship at Boogertman and Partners. 

“I have a weird thing where I think ‘oh, it's a challenge? It's going to be even more fun then’,” he says. 

Akhouri was drawn to the UO architectural program because of its emphasis on ecological design. His master’s thesis revolves around mass timber—timber that has been cross-laminated with the intention of replacing concrete and steel walls that are harmful to the environment. 

Currently, Akhouri is building a wall assembly with a fully biogenic and weather resistant system using invasive species, such as juniper. His focus on reusing waste that would otherwise be disposed of is derived from traditions found all around the world. 

“It’s inspiring to me when we can use found objects or found waste and create something that's meaningful,” Akhouri says. 

The architecture program has given Akhouri a critical eye, but he remains determined to see the beauty and story behind design in everyday life. 

His goal is to find career success that allows him to benefit humanity using low-tech solutions which create “empowerment over intervention” and he hopes his story will help others realize they can carve their own path and do what they love.