Tag Archives: architectural salvage

Deconstruction

Environmental coalition plans to salvage materials from vacant north St. Louis buildings | KBIA

An environmental collaborative aims to remove vacant properties, plans to salvage materials from 30 buildings in north St. Louis in 2019. Refab, a salvage yard in south St. Louis, is identifying buildings that qualify for deconstruction.
ELI CHEN | ST. LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO

“When you strategically disassemble a structure, there’s more opportunities to find and remediate environmental hazards,” Ginn said. “It would allow us to reduce the amount of waste we’re sending to landfills and you don’t have as much dust spreading through neighborhoods.”

Source: Environmental coalition plans to salvage materials from vacant north St. Louis buildings | KBIA

Waste News

Kingsport Times-News: Historic Rogersville house to be razed, but you can still salvage the antebellum brick

Demolition contractor Brant Grimm told the Times-News Friday he expects to begin razing Rogersville’s historic Blue Spring House in three to four weeks. He said he said he’s willing to salvage the brick and some large timbers from the 175-year old structure, but that wasn’t part of his original plan.

On Tuesday, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen agreed to award the bid to demolish the Blue Spring House, which dates back almost 200 years, on East Main Street to Kingsport-based Grimm Construction for $23,900.

Source: Kingsport Times-News: Historic Rogersville house to be razed, but you can still salvage the antebellum brick

Markets, Waste News

Peoria firm bid $7,586 to win salvage rights to Burnham Mansion, other buildings | News-Gazette.com

Photo by: Rick Danzl/The News-Gazette
The Burnham mansion at 603 W. Church St., Champaign.

“The properties were originally constructed in the late 1800s for use as private residences, but in recent years they have been subdivided into multiple apartment units. The properties are wood-frame construction. Many of the original architectural elements remain in the properties,” the notice said.

Source: Peoria firm bid $7,586 to win salvage rights to Burnham Mansion, other buildings | News-Gazette.com

Reuse Centers

Business Spotlight: Old Lumberyard boasts treasures of yesteryear | News | corsicanadailysun.com

“We have lots of architectural items,” Plyer said. “In the form of doors, windows, newel posts, stained glass.”“We have a wedding registry as well,” said Carmichael. “If you’re a vintage lover, come pick what you want and we set it up in a display. We will make a tea towel with the couple’s names on it. All our tea towels sold right now benefit Relay for Life with their proceeds.”

Source: Business Spotlight: Old Lumberyard boasts treasures of yesteryear | News | corsicanadailysun.com

Markets

Vintage university building materials being auctioned off | CTV Regina News

Items from the U of R’s College Avenue campus are available through an online auction

“Much of this stuff dates back to the original building,” explained Carol Reyda, Project Manager for the University of Regina. “This is stuff that was used back in the early 1900’s.”

Source: Vintage university building materials being auctioned off | CTV Regina News

Reclamation Administration

Seeking Your Story with the Reclamation Administration!

We are collecting information and would like to hear from you!

I just wanted to thank you, because since I get all the updates through Reclamation Administration I found today out pieces from the old Waldorf Astoria in NYC are for sale – so I bought an old Waldorf Astoria door bell!!!! Yihaaa! – Diederick Kraaijeveld, Oudhout.com.

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Old Globe Grain Elevator in Superior, Wisconsin – was salvaged by the ReBuilding Exchange after Meegan Czop read about it on the Reclamation Administration.

If you have a story of how the Reclamation Administration connected you with a resource or inspiration – please let us know!

Email: ReclamationNews@gmail.com

In exchange, we are happy to print a quote with a link back to a site of your choice.

Markets

Old building materials from College Avenue Campus being auctioned off | Regina Leader-Post

Jackie Schmidt, president of Heritage Regina, stands among some of the materials which will be included in an online auction being put on by Heritage Regina. Many of the items are building materials removed from the College Avenue Campus of the University of Regina. BRANDON HARDER / REGINA LEADER-POST

Schmidt noted that much of the wood is old-growth wood from trees that were more than 100 years old.“Every lot has a historical story behind it,” said Schmidt. “These are architecturally significant. They belonged to the (College Avenue Campus) and we want to make sure that they are not put into the landfill.”

Source: Old building materials from College Avenue Campus being auctioned off | Regina Leader-Post

Structure Reuse

Here are N.J.’s 10 most endangered historic sites for 2018 | NJ.com

The Captain William Tyson House is owned by the Township of Rochelle Park which wants to either sell or raze the structure, officials say.

Photo Provided | Preservation New Jersey

“Several challenges face properties on this year’s endangered sites list, including neglect and deferred maintenance, threats incurred by redevelopment and new construction, difficulties raising adequate historic preservation funding, the need for creative adaptive reuse proposals, inadequate recognition and protection by government agencies, and political influences,” said Courtenay D. Mercer, president of PNJ.

Source: Here are N.J.’s 10 most endangered historic sites for 2018 | NJ.com

Reuse Design

Artist creates ‘Visions of Pittsburgh’ with material connection to its past | TribLIVE

Above, ‘The Igloo,’ by Cory Bonnett, whose exhibit, ‘Visions of Pittsburgh,’ will be on display this month at Shehady Gallery in the Strip District.

Working exclusively with reclaimed and salvaged raw materials, he transforms hardwood doors, stainless steel panels and fallen trees into works of art, bringing creative reuse and sustainability to his projects. One example in the show is a piece he created on a steel panel salvaged from the demolished Civic Arena.

Source: Artist creates ‘Visions of Pittsburgh’ with material connection to its past | TribLIVE

Reuse Centers

Earthwise Architectural Salvage: Bringing Tacoma’s History to Your Home Projects – SouthSoundTalk

Earthwise Salvage TacomaEarthwise Architectural Salvage was founded in Seattle in 1991 by Kurt Petrauskas. He was working as a demolition contractor and was struck by the unique and beautiful items that were being sent to landfills. Kurt started saving the items and holding yard sales, and soon the Seattle store was born. The Tacoma store opened in 2012 as their second location. Each store sources locally from the city around it.

Source: Earthwise Architectural Salvage: Bringing Tacoma’s History to Your Home Projects – SouthSoundTalk

Reuse Design

Masterpiece-by-piece | Real Estate | americanpress.com

Kathy Jackson Bosley found inspiration for the arched entrance in a fine home magazine. The reclaimed pilasters between the doors are cast iron and weigh over 1,000 pounds. Note the detail in the ceiling. Travertine is used on the floor. The fountain was created from three separate pieces, all reclaimed. Rita LeBleu

The American Press has never visited a house that demonstrates so much attention to detail and creative use of reclaimed or salvaged building materials, including old world European architectural elements.

Source: Masterpiece-by-piece | Real Estate | americanpress.com

Reuse Centers

Recycling Boston’s architectural history one piece at a time

Epstein was a jeweler by day; by night, he chalked his initials onto pieces of buildings that were slated for demolition. The wrecking crews gave Epstein mantels from the old West End, a Roxbury tavern built in 1675, and stonework from the old South Station. During the 1950s and 1960s, they razed so many buildings that Epstein’s collection filled six storage spaces across the city. He later consolidated his findings in a former bus depot/factory on Blue Hill Avenue.

Source: Recycling Boston’s architectural history one piece at a time

Reuse Centers

S.A.’s doors, windows, hardware from old homes finding new lives – San Antonio Express-News

Old is Better Than New store owner Gabriel Galindo carries out some of his merchandise. Galindo specializes in salvaged architectural pieces that usually come from houses that are being torn down. Photo: John Davenport /San Antonio Express-News / ©John Davenport/San Antonio Express-News

Photo: John Davenport /San Antonio Express-News Old is Better Than New store owner Gabriel Galindo carries out some of his merchandise. Galindo specializes in salvaged architectural pieces that usually come from houses that are being torn down.

“You can’t find doors that big at Home Depot,” she explained. “We could have commissioned new ones, but these came from a restaurant in Provence, France, and you hardly ever see craftsmanship like that.”

Source: S.A.’s doors, windows, hardware from old homes finding new lives – San Antonio Express-News

Reuse Centers

At White Brick House in Forest, vendors sell home decor in a historical setting | Business | newsadvance.com

The White Brick House on Friday April 13, 2018, in Forest, Va.

Lathan Goumas

The two-and-half-year-old business is run entirely by about 20 women between 18 and 60 years old selling items priced from 50 cents to $600.Breiholz has noticed women are living a more creative life and are finding their own terms of what they want their life to be like.

Source: At White Brick House in Forest, vendors sell home decor in a historical setting | Business | newsadvance.com

Waste News

Kingsport Times-News: Historic Rogersville house to be razed, building materials salvaged

One of Rogersville oldest houses is going to be torn down, but local leaders are hoping someone salvage the building materials, such as its abundance of antebellum brick, to help save other historic structures.

The board voted unanimously to solicit bids for someone to remove the structure, either for cash alone or as a part of an agreement to use the materials to perform renovations elsewhere in the city.

Source: Kingsport Times-News: Historic Rogersville house to be razed, building materials salvaged

Markets, Reuse Design

Farmington artist at Royal Oak fair make people giggle

A Wall Angel by artist Ann Marie Fischer, one of the participants in the Royal Oak Spring Art Fair. Courtesy Ann Marie Fischer

“I grew to love architectural salvage, items I found at estate sales and salvage yards, and started incorporating it into my work,” the Farmington Hills artist says.

Source: Farmington artist at Royal Oak fair make people giggle

Deconstruction, Reuse Centers, Women in Deconstruction

Westmoreland Community Action demolition firm to hire female heads of household | TribLIVE

Dan Speicher – Tribune Review

The American Architectural Salvage Shop, in Mt. Pleasant.

Czerpak said he will work closely with the demolition manager to evaluate potential projects based on store inventory needs or popular items. Waltenbaugh said 75 percent of people hired for the team will be female heads of household, those struggling with addiction and others who might have difficulty finding jobs. The employees will be trained.“We’re excited to get that up and running,” he said.

Source: Westmoreland Community Action demolition firm to hire female heads of household | TribLIVE

Deconstruction

Reclaiming old growth timber in Saskatchewan | Wood Business

Photos courtesy of Wood-Mizer

“After high school, I started tree planting in Western Canada and could see the logging clear cuts, which disturbed me,” Lincoln says. “I have a love of nature and wondered what I could do to help the forest in addition to planting trees.”

Source: Reclaiming old growth timber in Saskatchewan | Wood Business

Reuse Centers

Architectural Salvage Names Modern Events Exclusive Event and Catering Company – SRQ Daily Feb 24, 2018

Architectural Salvage offers a unique, bohemian-style, funky charm atmosphere for special events, sit-down meals, meetings, parties and receptions for up to 200 people. Hosts gain the benefit of being able to “borrow” anything from the store to use for their decorations and backdrops on the day of their event, giving them complimentary creative license to create a whimsical and colorful setting for their event, including access to a built-in bar.

Source: Architectural Salvage Names Modern Events Exclusive Event and Catering Company – SRQ Daily Feb 24, 2018

Reuse Design

The Day – ‘The biggest boat in town’ – News from southeastern Connecticut

Jim and Cathy Barnard on the deck of the bow area of their steamship-styled house overlooking the Niantic River on Saturday, March 10, 2018. (Dana Jensen/The Day)

Jim and Cathy Barnard on the deck of the bow area of their steamship-styled house overlooking the Niantic River on Saturday, March 10, 2018. (Dana Jensen/The Day)

“Jim was great to work with. I had a lot of creative leeway,” Laschever said. He added that Barnard “kept bringing me architectural salvage” items, including stained-glass windows, a bathtub and a urinal for the bathroom, and a backlit antique elevator dial that reminded Barnard of mob-era Chicago.

Source: The Day – ‘The biggest boat in town’ – News from southeastern Connecticut

Reuse Design

Don’t call the police about these odd devices on Wichita buildings — they’re art | The Wichita Eagle

Video

 

Much of the material these little sculptures are crafted out of came from the rubble of the old Eagle building at 825 E. Douglas.As the building was being demolished last year, Stevenson coordinated with the Eagle and the Bradburn Wrecking Company to salvage quirky bits of the building for use in this art exhibition — at that point, still merely an idea she’d had for years.

Source: Don’t call the police about these odd devices on Wichita buildings — they’re art | The Wichita Eagle

Markets

The Waldorf Is Going Condo, and Pieces of It Are for Sale Online – Bloomberg

Waldorf AstoriaPhotographer: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

A front-end loader dumped debris into trucks parked on the north side of the building, which takes up an entire city block. Meanwhile, a van bearing the logo of a Scranton, Pennsylvania-based architectural-salvage company waited nearby. Salvaged Waldorf Barovier & Toso Venetian Glass FixtureSource: Olde Good Things The company, Olde Good Things, already is selling pieces from the hotel’s interior on its website. Items for sale include light fi

Source: The Waldorf Is Going Condo, and Pieces of It Are for Sale Online – Bloomberg

Reuse Centers

M-Brew In Ferndale Is Looking To Crown A New Pinball Wizard For Charity This Thursday

Think you’ve got what it takes to be the Pinball Wizard?

Why not try your hand at the Charity Pinball Party Tournament this Thursday, February 22 at M-Brew in Ferndale. The event is being put on to help raise money for the Architectural Salvage Warehouse in Detroit.The organization helps to keep salvageable and architectural ornate materials out of area landfills.

Source: M-Brew In Ferndale Is Looking To Crown A New Pinball Wizard For Charity This Thursday

Waste News

‘This was our life’: Demolition of former Spa City garden supply store under way – Saratogoan News

Demolition at 79 Henry St. began Monday morning. Joseph Phelan — jphelan@digitalfirstmedia.com

“We all grew up here. You see things [in the building] and then you remember, oh I remember that room,” Nemec saod. “I remember we use to play hide and seek in there, or we used to help the customers. It’s just weird. It’s weird to see your life fall apart right now.”

via: http://www.saratogian.com/general-news/20180129/this-was-our-life-demolition-of-former-spa-city-garden-supply-store-under-way

Markets

Las Vegas Expands Discoveries Marketplace | HomeWorld Business

las vegas world market center

For buyers, Discoveries provides an array of found objects, antiques, repurposed and recycled home décor, furnishings, jewelry and clothing, all available for order writing and immediate delivery. These resources will be presented alongside Las Vegas Market’s existing Home and new Design Home categories, and concurrently with the debut of Artexpo Las Vegas as IMC seeks to develop cross-category synergies and efficiencies for buyers.

Source: Las Vegas Expands Discoveries Marketplace | HomeWorld Business

Reuse Design

Buck the trends | NWADG

OUT: There are a few trends interior designer, foodie and author Athena Calderone is happy to see the back of in 2017. “I would love to see reclaimed wood, industrial furnishings and rustic accents eradicated in 2018,” she tells us. “Design is moving toward a slightly more lush and sexy direction. Rustic on top of rustic just feels dated and excessive. Salvaged oddities were seen everywhere from the Brooklyn Flea to Brimfield in the past, and while many of these items are indeed treasures, it is true that too much of one thing is never a good idea.” Ain’t that the truth?

Source: Buck the trends | NWADG

Deconstruction

Deconstruction Of Webber Building Downtown Almost Complete – Alabama News

“A long slow goodbye”…that’s how Lois Cortell, Senior Development Manager for the city, described the deconstruction of the Webber Building, also known as the Old Montgomery Theatre downtown.The deconstruction process has been ongoing for about a year now. Cortell says it’s not to be confused with demolition.”One of the conditions of the sale was to maximize the salvage of the materials and to do that really involved a slow deconstruction” she explained.

Source: Deconstruction Of Webber Building Downtown Almost Complete – Alabama News

Reuse Design, Structure Reuse

A Dylan Thomas snug has been rebuilt in a London pub – close to where the poet romanced his mistress – Wales Online

The bar at the exhibition at Swansea Museum, with creator Rhys Stephens, Glenda Thomas and Jeff Towns.

Author and Dylan Thomas expert Jeff Towns, who wrote book A Pearl of Great Price detailing the year-long fling, said: “It is great to see this bar lives on. It was really well put together and was a huge success in the museum. “It is fantastic too that it has found a home in an area with a connection with Dylan; he and Pearl enjoyed a river cruise along this part of The Thames, so it is perfect piece of synchronicity.

Source: A Dylan Thomas snug has been rebuilt in a London pub – close to where the poet romanced his mistress – Wales Online

Policy/Regulations/Government, Structure Reuse

A peek inside: Renovation work beginning soon on five 19th-century homes – Insider Louisville

1207 E. Broadway is one of five homes being renovated and sold as affordable houses. | Photo by Caitlin Bowling

All five homes were constructed sometime in the 1890s and are being preserved. Meanwhile, a 260-unit, multimillion-dollar apartment building is under construction in the same block. “We are seeing an entire neighborhood recreated,” said Christy Lee Brown, a local philanthropist who has helped promote historic renovation in Louisville by funding half of a historic preservation revolving loan fund.

Source: A peek inside: Renovation work beginning soon on five 19th-century homes – Insider Louisville

Reuse Design

Out of the woods | National Post

This table used to be part of a barn. HD Threshing

Lots of companies do reclaimed, she notes. “Some are putting barn board on walls, or buying items made from shipping palettes. It’s great that this stuff is not going to landfill. Reclaimed is gaining momentum, especially with younger people.”Yet some claims about reclaimed are not all they’re cracked up to be, so buyers need to know what they’re looking for. In fact some pieces are not reclaimed wood at all, but only mass-produced wood made to look the part.

Source: Out of the woods | National Post

Reuse Design

Oregon Coast-Inspired Home by Aspect Design Build – Midwest Home Magazine

The living room features a two-sided fireplace, reclaimed and painted mantel, and ceiling medallion.

A deliberate walkabout in the home reveals additional architectural salvage that is artfully repurposed. The stair railing in the front foyer, for example, is bookended by reclaimed iron posts. “We could only get three, so we cut the additional wood posts in the same shape,” says Winkler. The fireplace mantel in the great room, also reclaimed and then painted to match the built-in cabinetry and millwork, still shows off its dentil molding and fluted columns with the kind of wood joinery used at the turn of the century.

Source: Oregon Coast-Inspired Home by Aspect Design Build – Midwest Home Magazine

Deconstruction, Structure Reuse

Frank Jones Brewery redo saves architectural treasures

Mat Ouellette, assistant project manager for Chinburg Properties, shows an orginal low ceiling area that still remains, before a new level is built, at the Frank Jones Brew Yard in Portsmouth. [Rich Beauchesne/Seacoastonline]

“The quality is amazing,” said Spitzer, about the wood planks with aged patina. Spitzer said a local craftsman will use some of the timbers to make club room fixtures and tables, mill some for shelving and use other old planks for finish work. More of the pine timbers will be reused for counter tops and furniture, he said.

Source: Frank Jones Brewery redo saves architectural treasures

Deconstruction, Structure Reuse

A salvager’s decades-long dream to build a museum of architectural artifacts – Curbed

Preserving part of the the Rivoli Theater in St. Louis Courtesy National Building Arts Center

“I just love old buildings,” Giles said. “It’s a big collection, without a doubt, the largest that I’m aware of, and the idea was to develop it as a comprehensive study collection. The idea has grown into a collection of pieces from all over the country. The history here is a national history.”

Source: A salvager’s decades-long dream to build a museum of architectural artifacts – Curbed

Markets, Reuse Centers

Rejuvenation Opens NYC Store

Rejuvenation was founded to help customers restoring old houses, but most today spurn interiors that reference a single period or style. “We decided to help people live eclectically,” explains Alex Bellos, a West Elm veteran who is now senior vice president and general manager. “Designers are looking for unique pieces with a story behind them, and we have things they can build a room around.”

Source: Rejuvenation Opens NYC Store

Markets

GOING FOR $2 A FOOT

John Mangelos and brother-in-law Allen Velthoen check out the interior of the Barnwood Restaurant building as they wait for wood buyers to come through their front door. GLENN KAHL/The Bulletin

They had devised a plan to tear down five old barns at no cost to the farmers in the valley and used the wood for their new family restaurant 37 years ago.

Longtime chef and owner John Mangelos said the second floor wood in the “haunted” private dining room was originally intended for a Victorian home that was never built. He said he was fortunate to find it, but extremely puzzled how the young ghosts were included in the purchase.

 

Source: GOING FOR $2 A FOOT

Markets

Reclaiming the past: How to make old homes new — without sacrificing character

Richard and Petrina Delman wanted architectural salvage items to retain the charm and authenticity of their family’s Ontario home, which was built in the late 1880s. (Will Lester-SCNG-Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

“People who own old and historic homes are just like old car collectors,” he said. “We want them to look as much like the absolute originals as possible.”

Architectural salvage helps homeowners such as the Delmans recapture the beauty and authenticity of their original structures. For others, it can offer nostalgic reuse to replicate the comfort and feel of the old and not-so-ordinary.

Source: Reclaiming the past: How to make old homes new — without sacrificing character

Markets, Structure Reuse

How historic rooms get moved and reused – Curbed

The dining room at the White Swan hotel. The paneling used to be in the First Class lounge of the RMS Olympic. Courtesy of Creative Commons.

“Paneling is just a skin that fits onto the architectural structure of the building, not usually a fundamental part of the building” adds Goss. “It’s like a giant 3D puzzle, and if it can be put together, it can be taken apart.”

Source: How historic rooms get moved and reused – Curbed

Deconstruction

Hidden Treasure Abandoned Buildings: Changing Philly’s Demolition Game « CBS Philly

Philadelphia Community Corps executive director Greg Trainor inside a worksite in Fairmount. (Credit: Tom Rickert)

The job training nonprofit he [Greg Trainor] started in 2014 has graduated 18 students into OSHA-certified deconstruction technicians in the past year. He’s opened a 20,000 square foot warehouse in Kensington with classrooms and space for construction projects. And Greg and his job trainees have salvaged more than 50 tons of wood, metal, and building material from the bones of Philadelphia’s abandoned buildings.

Source: Hidden Treasure Abandoned Buildings: Changing Philly’s Demolition Game « CBS Philly

Reuse Design

What’s old is new again | News | suwanneedemocrat.com

Mary Anne & Bubba McCray’s company ReVision recycles, repurposes, and reclaims old wood for new projects and products.

When I asked her how her company, ReVision, got started she said, “We like old stuff.” She started out by making birdhouses and small tables. Mary Anne would take what she made to the master gardener plant sales. In 2015 Bubba started helping her and the business officially started. One of the neatest things about their creations is the material they use. They mainly use the wood from old barns and houses.

Source: What’s old is new again | News | suwanneedemocrat.com

Deconstruction, Reuse Centers

Nonprofit’s founder has 2 missions: Save history, help veterans | Metro | stltoday.com

The nonprofit Refab does sustainable deconstruction

ReFab Founder Eric Scharz. Photo by J.B. Forbes.

Schwarz’s experience had taught him that in an increasingly imitative world, some people hungered for an authenticity conceived in the marriage of age and use.

He founded Refab, a salvage yard in south St. Louis, in a condemned building four years ago. At the time, he had about $3,000 in his pocket and an idea for salvaging discarded building materials and turning around the lives of veterans. Today, Schwarz leases a 40,000-square-foot warehouse off Gravois Avenue and employs 14 people. His budget for 2017 is $1.2 million. That growth is partly attributable to a backlash against the uniformity produced by globalization.

The customers who frequent this two story red-brick repository of rescued material are weary of seeing the same furniture, the same sinks and the same light fixtures — all of it mass-produced on the other side of the planet. “You go into a lot of houses — and I don’t know if we coined the phrase — but they are all ‘Lowes’d up,’” said Randy Miller, who was looking for material for his coffee shop in Southern Illinois. “This is a like a candy store.”

Source: Nonprofit’s founder has 2 missions: Save history, help veterans | Metro | stltoday.com

Deconstruction

Ex-offenders have a new purpose while repurposing Rockford mansion

Bill Howard moves a piece of lumber across the table on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016, at the Hill House in Rockford. Howard hopes to repurpose all the lumber in the North Main Street mansion through a process known as “historic deconstruction.” KAYLI PLOTNER/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER/RRSTAR.COM

Marks and the other men in this house can’t easily find steady work because of their criminal history. They’ve been brought here and hired by Bill Howard, a city-licensed demolition contractor who used to design landfills and now spends his days trying not to fill them up.

 Howard, 72, is an evangelist of “historic deconstruction,” the process of carefully stripping historically salvageable material from buildings and reusing it.

Source: Ex-offenders have a new purpose while repurposing Rockford mansion

Deconstruction

Nearly 2,000 square feet of vintage lumber salvaged from Dibbleville house – Tri-County Times: News For Fenton, Linden, Holly MI

TRI-COUNTY TIMES | TIM JAGIELO
While the landscaping is still well tended, the house on Shiawassee Avenue, as of Friday, Sept. 9, was nearly gone.

“We’ve been building homes for years, and have demolished a lot,” said Bloomingdale. “I always felt bad about disposing of material that we’re never going to find again. Slow-growth lumber doesn’t exist anymore and here we are throwing it away.”  That’s why Bloomingdale decided to get himself a warehouse and start dismantling and reusing materials out of these homes.

Source: Nearly 2,000 square feet of vintage lumber salvaged from Dibbleville house – Tri-County Times: News For Fenton, Linden, Holly MI

Deconstruction, Deconstruction School

Revive Pontiac teaches job skills, harvests vintage building materials

Brandon Shirlee of Pontiac works on the interior of a long-vacant building on West Huron near the former Pontiac Central High School. Shirlee is one of 10 workers who are learning job skills while harvesting wood, tile and more from aging buildings to sell in the vintage building materials market. Anne Runkle — The Oakland Press

“You can’t buy 100-year-old oak anymore,” said Ron Borngesser, OLHSA chief executive officer, as he explained the value of harvesting materials from the building, which dates to 1920. It has been vacant for about three decades and had recently been home to squatters, he said. OLHSA is working in cooperation with Architectural Salvage Warehouse of Detroit, a nonprofit organization that promotes the environmental advantages of diverting reusable building materials from landfills, as well as the job training benefits.

Source: Revive Pontiac teaches job skills, harvests vintage building materials