Deconstruction,
Not
Demolition

by
Dennis Allen

 

The first priority of sustainable design and construction is to preserve, modify, or rehabilitate existing buildings, however, some do not choose this route. Some decide to demolish. Now there is an option: rather than bulldoze a structure and send all of the materials to the landfill, the owners can contract to have the building taken apart from the roof down and recycle all the reusable materials. Normally the salvaged components make up 80% percent or more the whole, often exceeding 90%. Roof sheathing, rafters, beams, wall studs, floor joists, solar panels, appliances, windows, doors, cabinets, iron work, built-in bookcases, desks, and casework can be "rescued" and reused.

The benefit to the environment of keeping good materials out of the landfill is obvious. Since construction debris accounts for about 30% of all input to landfills nationally, any reduction of this waste to our landfills can be a major in helping Santa Barbara County meet or exceed the state mandated target of 50% reduction by the end of this year. In addition, there is the benefit of lower resource consumption.

Deconstructing a building obviously requires more care and time than simply demolishing it. Who then will absorb the extra labor costs?

Allen Associates is about to begin the deconstruction of a 2,800 square foot house on TV hill. They are working with the Reuse People, a non-profit organization based in San Diego that is experienced in deconstruction. When salvage materials are donated to a non-profit organization, the owner or contractor, depending on how the contract is set up, has the option of a tax deduction. Also, the contractor’s hauling and tipping fees are substantially lower than they would be for demotion. Thus the goal for a deconstruction project is to make the tax deduction and the reduced hauling fees equal to whatever additional labor costs are generated. In the case of the TV hill project (Santa Barbara City), Allen Associates carefully inventoried the materials in the house and then had a qualified third party place a value on the inventoried items.

Nationwide, deconstruction contractors are finding more and more of a market as owners and builders see both the environmental and fiscal value of salvaging good materials for reuse. The National Home Builders Association (NAHB) reports that many new businesses concerned with site material recovery and reuse are springing up across the country, as the scarcity of landfill space causes higher tipping fees and as the costs for harvesting new wood increases. Anyone wanting more information about deconstruction can call (805) 682-4305.

This article was published in The Newsletter of the Sustainability Project May 2000. The Sustainability Project is a nonprofit organization fostering the concepts of sustainability, environmentally responsible building , planning, and transportation, and creating livable communities for our future. Please consider joining The Sustainability Project 229 East Victoria St. Santa Barbara Ca 93101. _

Dennis Allen is a general contractor, published writer and owner of Allen Associates a construction company specializing in custom residential work since 1983. The company has 70 employees. A member of the Green Building Alliance, Sustainability Project and other Associations, he has received Builder of the Year award 13 times from the Santa Barbara Contractors Association.