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 Deconstruction Deconstruction is the selective dismantling of a building, carefully removing valuable materials, leaving most of them in tact and able to be re-used. Demolition, by contrast destroys a building and all its materials, wasting valuable resources and taking up landfill space. Deconstruction is an economically and environmentally beneficial alternative to demolition and is gaining popularity, especially in areas with a rich stock of quality materials and historical architectural elements such as New Orleans. We chose to deconstruct an existing building at 1706 St. Roch Ave. that was left in a dilapidated an uninhabitable condition after Katrina. A local team of deconstruction professionals quickly took apart the building piece by piece, salvaging a large amount of re-usable material. The material was relocated to a nearby facility where it was cleaned and inventoried. Much of this material, especially the lumber, is of a quality and dimension that is superior to standard contemporary building materials. Times-Picayune Sept. 1, 2007 "Easy Does It" article about deconstruction work at 1700 St. Roch Ave. Download .pdf The new buildings at 1700 St. Roch Ave. will incorporate some of this quality salvaged material, adding rich character and a wonderful historic connection to the project. The remainder of the material will be distributed to housing renovation and revitalization efforts in the St. Roch neighborhood, saving funds, environmental resources, and providing quality materials. Download .pdf inventory of salvaged materials. Images of the deconstruction and the salvaged materials. (click to view larger) 
 Top photo © Jeremy Maxwell-Parish . Deconstruction Links Deconstruction: an alternative to demolition. Information from Mercy Corps Information about deconstruction. Deconstruction is the dismantling of buildings by hand for maximum reuse of materials. An Interview with Rick Denhart of MercyCorps about deconstruction efforts in New Orleans. Sustainable Salvage Sustainable salvage performed the Deconstruction work at 1706. Excellent, local, friendly, and professional deconstruction and salvage services. The Green Project The Green Project is a St. Roch-based non-profit that recycles building materials and paint, deconstructs homes and salvages usable materials. They also operate a building materials recycling store, promote community involvement and environmental activities, offer community space to other community-based organizations, and serve as an environmental reference resource for the Greater New Orleans area. |
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