Even well-intentioned reuse efforts cannot repair unusable space. When buildings fall victim to neglect and disuse, improper care often leads to demolition, as no amount of retrofitting or renovation can improve a structure’s habitability. Realistically, destruction is an anticipated phase in a building’s life cycle, and although every effort should be made to care for and reuse the space we have, even demolition has its place in preservation.
Demolition should be viewed as an opportunity for material reuse, requiring an organized framework of careful deconstruction rather than pure destruction. By encouraging sustainable practices, salvaged materials can be reapplied in new projects, and the environmental impact of the demolition process is minimized.
Salvage and demolition will always have their place, but we must make a concerted effort to decrease their impact on our climate while improving their role in new construction.
In 2022, the San Antonio City Council approved a deconstruction ordinance mandating certain structures to be carefully taken apart rather than mech
Deconstruction ordinances are a policy tool implemented to build towards a more circular economic model.
One popular proposal for a more sustainable construction sector is the implementation of circular economies.
The Just Places Lab at Cornell University focuses on understanding the relationship betw
Construction and demolition debris form the largest waste stream in the United States, and typical demolition practices render the vast majority of
The Just Places Lab at Cornell University focuses on understanding the relationshi
Material reuse in the built environment is an essential step towards a more sustainable construction sector.