FEATURE
Sustainable architecture , designing for deconstruction , and mass timber
By Tarren Bolton
The idea of creating a building that will have an expiration date is not a common one , but deconstruction – the reuse of existing structural components to create new facilities – is an age-old concept essential for creating a sustainable environment .
Design for Deconstruction ( or Design for Disassembly , and even ‘ construction in reverse ’) is an important part of green design and a consideration of the complete life cycle of a structure . It includes provisions for the re-use of building components at the end of a structure ' s life .
The ultimate goal of Design for Deconstruction ( DfD ) is to responsibly manage building materials to minimise consumption of new raw materials by using existing materials from demolished sites and finding ways to reuse them in another construction project .
An enormous amount of waste is produced in the demolition of building structures in most countries , which can be reused through reprocessing or re-manufacturing of materials , thus reducing the input of new resources and giving a new life cycle to the materials . DfD considers how all decisions made in the design phase can increase the chances of reusing the building parts at the end of their useful life . As defined in the EPA ( United States Environmental Protection Agency ) manual , “ the ultimate goal of the Design for Deconstruction ( DfD ) movement is to responsibly manage end-of-life building materials to minimise the consumption of raw materials . By capturing materials removed during the renovation or demolition of buildings and finding ways to reuse them in another building project or recycle them into a new product , the overall environmental impact of end-of-life building materials can be reduced .
THE CHALLENGES
Though deconstruction is a very environmentally friendly and sustainable practice , it faces several challenges over conventional demolition . Many existing buildings aren ’ t designed for dismantling or disassembling , so the tools for deconstructing existing buildings don ’ t exist , and neither is the recertification of used components possible . Most construction companies operate under a tight profit margin and generally are not willing to jeopardise their profit margin by implementing reused programmes or expanding their demolition practices to deconstruct ; they feel that it is simply not worth the financial risk to be environmentally friendly . However , the use of salvaged materials can be both beneficial and detrimental depending on the material ’ s durability , desirability , and longevity . The challenges can be easily overcome if there are changes in design and policy .
CORTESIA DE NATURALLYWOOD . COM CORTESIA DE NATURALLYWOOD . COM
Mass timber components for this project were prefabricated offsite which not only aids in the ability for on-site assembly but also aids in the disassembly of projects in the future if needed . Timber ' s versatility allows it to be disassembled and then reassembled into other buildings and furnishings , sequestering carbon for longer so long as it stays out of the landfill .
Manufacturing cross-laminated timber , a mass timber product .
www . timberiq . co . za // OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 23