- Pictures of the latest inventory just into our store
- CJ News & Events
- Information on what classes CJ offers (e.g. restoration and mosaic)
- See our latest e-Blast as an example
- Or use our online form to donate items and schedule a pick up
- Or call, Bonnie, our Donation Manager directly at (412) 243-5025 x 12 or (412) 377-9116
- Learn more about donating to CJ
- What is deconstruction?
In the context of physical construction, deconstruction is the selective dismantlement of building components, specifically for re-use, recycling, and waste management. It differs from demolition where a site is cleared of its building by the most expedient means. Deconstruction has also been defined as “construction in reverse”. The process of dismantling structures is an ancient activity that has been revived by the growing field of sustainable, green building. Buildings, like everything, have a life-cycle. Deconstruction focuses on giving the materials within a building a new life once the building as a whole can no longer continue.
When buildings reach the end of their useful life, they are typically demolished and hauled to landfills. Implosions or ‘wrecking-ball’ style demolition is relatively inexpensive and offers a quick method of clearing sites for new structures. On the other hand, this method creates substantial amounts of waste. Components within old buildings may still be valuable, sometimes more valuable than at the time the building was constructed. Deconstruction is a method of harvesting what is commonly considered “waste” and reclaiming it into useful building material.
Deconstruction (building). (2009, May 2). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 16:23, May 11, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Deconstruction_(building)&oldid=287392868
- Learn more about deconstruction at CJ
