We have become involved with building deconstruction to keep old parts in use and divert them from the landfill. We are looking at this as a component in our neighborhood stabilization work.
Old buildings have a great deal of embedded energy in them; old building parts do as well. As we remodel and add to these buildings, we seek ways for them to continue in service, and to re-use old parts as best we can.
Much sustainability work is quiet. We fold that into our design process as much as the project allows. Envelope efficiency, energy efficiency, building orientation and configuration are quiet components of sustainability. We first look to decrease the need for energy in our buildings by careful attention to these elements.