An Alternative Recipe for Concrete was an investigation into alternative ingredients for concrete. It was part of an independent course that was developed by Laura at Cornell University. By designing the curriculum for the course, she envisioned research and material experimentation that would lead to examples of site specific concrete alternatives. 

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Concrete is replacing vernacular building methodologies, renewable and sustainable material sourcing, as well as impacting regional identities of cities. It is a material that is used world wide because of its efficiency and structural capacities in construction. Stargala researched how bi-products from industry and agricultural waste have been identified as alternative ways to replace cement and aggregate. The addition of coal fly ash, ground slag sand, powdered lime stone, or use of recycled aggregates and agricultural waste, among others have the potential to reduce resource extraction. Drawing a radius around a project, Laura began identifying the proportions and extraction of key alternatives for ingredients, admixtures, pigments, and reinforcements, in order to inform site specific alternatives for concrete.

 

The final outcome of the gathered research and experiments became a recipe book. Laura also curated an exhibition in Bibliowitz Gallery at Cornell to showcase the material experimentation along with each recipe. 

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