Deconstruction: A Local Government

Model

Wayne FentonOrange County Public Works,

Hillsborough, NC

What is Deconstruction?

• Deconstruction is the process of selectively and systematically disassembling buildings that would otherwise be demolished to generate a supply of materials suitable for reuse in the construction or rehabilitation of other structures.

• Deconstruction differs from recycling in that recycling does not seek to capture building materials in a reusable form (i.e., whole bricks, blocks, clean, unbroken pieces of lumber, etc.)

A Brief History

• Orange County owns 34 buildings • Buildings range in age from pre-

Revolutionary war to modern structures

The Building

Approximately 3,000 square feet

The Experiment

• A 1920’s/1950’s mixed construction structure housing a sheltered workshop

• Building located in heart of historic district

• Sat vacant for several years after suffering severe storm damage

• Options considered

The Process

• Project approved by BOCC• Purchasing Dep’t persuaded • Bid-process tailored • Seasoned local deconstruction

specialists hired• Process documented

Desired Project Outcomes

• Removal of unsafe structure

• Capture of valuable materials, especially for use in other similar vintage structures

• Demonstrate feasibility of process

• Provide skills enhancement opportunities

• Document the process:– To develop

promotional video– To develop basic

“how-to” video

Materials Recovered

• 39+ tons of building materials recovered for reuse through deconstruction

Recovered Materials

BRICK CONCRETE BLOCKS

DIMENSIONAL FRAMING

LUMBER

OAK TONGUE & GROOVE FLOORING

PINE TONGUE & GROOVE

FLOORING

WINDOWS

DOORS WOOD SIDING

PINE WALL PANELING

Materials Recycled

• 6 tons of metal• 1 ton of white goods• 140 tons of concrete

Waste Generated

• Less than 100 tons of waste generated by deconstruction required disposal

• Primarily rotted wood, mixed composition items, sheetrock, shingles

Benefits of Deconstruction

Economic

• Cost of deconstruction can be less than cost of demolition

• Salvaged materials have a value• Cost avoidance in tipping fees• Preservation of landfill space• Job-skills training

Environmental

• Preservation of landfill space• Resource conservation• Deconstruction a cleaner

technology than demolition – less noise, air pollution

Educational

• Governments should lead by example

• Act as a catalyst to contractors, facility owners/managers

• Be a model for other governments

Cost Benefit Analysis

Demolition Costs• Estimate:

$50,000

Deconstruction Costs• Actual Expenditures:

$37,929

Savings• Salvaged Materials

Value: $37,130*• Landfill Fees Avoided:

$1,600

* Based on local vendor estimate

Measuring Success

• Structure successfully and safely removed

• Some materials have been reused in other projects

• Demonstrated feasibility of deconstruction option

• Provided temporary workers with enhanced skills – two hired by County, one still employed

• Promotional video complete & limited distribution

The Video

• High quality, low budget

• 16 minutes running time