What is Deconstruction?

Why is this important?

LOCAL HISTORY

Our process involves the thorough documentation of the structure before it is removed. We pair this documentation with research on the history of the building and the lives that were lived inside its walls. Our research is shared with the public in our online archive, Re:Purposed Neighborhood, and attached to every piece of material we save. These histories help strengthen our sense of place and the arc of our changing city, and keep the memories of what was lost alive in our community.

HERITAGE VALUE

Historic buildings in Savannah (and most places in the United States) are made from materials that are irreplaceable, like old-growth longleaf pine. Longleaf, once the dominant species in the Southeastern US, is now endangered. Yet this wood is a remarkable product, with an extremely long life in building applications, and it is very suitable for use in fine craft. Every piece that is lost can never be replaced (unless you have thousands of years to spare re-growing pre-Columbian American forest). Longleaf represents one of many heritage materials that we seek to protect. This is why we also refer to our process as “material preservation.”

Learn more about Longleaf Pine from the Longleaf Alliance

Healthier for Neighborhoods

Demolition dust is bad for one’s health, especially when hazardous materials are not properly abated prior to demo. Research shows that low-income and BIPOC communities are disproportionately impacted by demolition. By contrast, deconstruction paired with best-practices for abatement limits the release of harmful particulates into the air. Every instance of breakage that we prevent means less harm to the people that live and breathe near the structure.

Healthier for our planet

Less landfilling: our Deconstruction process sends only what is absolutely necessary to the landfill. All materials that can be salvaged are brought to our Lumber Yard for resale or distributed among community partners, and all materials that can be recycled are sent to appropriate facilities.

Embodied energy: Capturing historic materials for reuse is the most sustainable treatment, keeping the embodied energy locked up in materials. By contrast, landfilling these materials releases their sequestered carbon into the atmosphere, accelerating climate change.

Fun fact: Construction and Demolition waste constitutes the most tonnage of all materials landfilled in the United States, more than twice as much as municipal solid waste. Reducing this tonnage through material salvage can have a major impact on the trajectory of climate change.

…this stuff IS USEFUL

When we keep good stuff out of the dump, folks can use it. Whether to repair their historic homes, or for myriad art & craft possibilities… it is just good sense!

Questions? Email us at info@repurposesavannah.org

Advance deconstruction within your community

Deconstruction is an emerging industry around the world. In the US, more and more municipalities are embracing deconstruction as a way to achieve their energy goals and build circular economies.

Re:Purpose Savannah has been growing circularity in the built environment of Savannah, Georgia since 2018 and we are committed to the development of this industry as a critical part of a resilient, sustainable future. Our team is ready to help you advance deconstruction within your community.

Services we offer

WORKFORCE TRAINING

Re:Purpose will send experts to your city to train your workforce in best practices for safe structural removal. We tailor our training to meet the needs of your project. Our team specializes in cross-training existing demolition crews as well as teaching bottom-up skills to inexperienced cohorts. We recognize the importance and value of diversity in the workforce and help identify and address systemic barriers to employment for women-identified, femme, trans, non-binary, and other underrepresented people.

MATERIALS MANAGEMENT

We provide consulting on how to establish and run a successful materials reuse hub. We have developed best practices for material preservation over the years and can help new or existing businesses overcome the significant operational challenges that reuse centers often encounter. Our service is grounded in preservation ideals of research, documentation, provenance tracking, and storytelling, which strengthen a sense of place and add value to materials. We also emphasize safety best practices for handling hazardous materials, large batches, and machinery.

START-UP CONSULTING

Are you so obsessed with the idea of deconstruction and reuse that you want to quit your job and wade into the industry? We get it, that's exactly what we did. We learned a lot of what we know from the pioneers that came before us and a lot from making mistakes and getting better. Our team wants nothing more than to help you get your deconstruction business and/or reuse center off the ground, and we are confident we can help you avoid some of the lessons we had to learn the hard way.

EDUCATION

Hire Re:Purpose for speaking engagements and workshops for private or public groups. We specialize in circular economy, urban wood, material handling, women+ in the trades, deconstruction as preservation, and industry policy.