Salvaged Building Materials Donated to help Build Affordable Housing
Hermosa Beach, CA – February 7, 2013: Deconstruction & ReUse Network (DRN), an environmental and social benefit organization, recently assisted Bonnie MacLeod and Dr. David Brunner of Hermosa Beach with the deconstruction of her 1930s home for reuse and recycling. DRN develops programs for property owners to ensure structures slated for remodel or tear down will be reused and recycled. Deconstruction is environmentally practical and, in most cases, provides property owners with significant tax deductions. Most projects are completed in three weeks or less.
Situated a few blocks from the ocean in Hermosa Beach, this 1,200 square-foot home was built in 1931. The one-story home, which included a basement, yielded nearly 6.5 tons of reusable rough lumber (made up of mostly old growth, true dimensional wood,) 4,500 bricks, 300 clay roof tiles, 1,000 square-feet of hardwood flooring, numerous windows, doors, and vintage light fixtures. Once again DRN partnered with Larry Murakami Contracting to deconstruct this home.
Proper planning is the key to successful deconstruction, yet often times it is the last thing a homeowner thinks about. That is where DRN comes in. According to DRN President Lorenz Schilling, “A typical home can yield as much as 85% diversion through reuse and recycling. With traditional home demolition, materials that can and should be repurposed are sent to the local landfill. Deconstruction is a responsible and effective solution for the environment and it benefits the community.”
MacLeod said: “I was fascinated by the whole process of deconstruction and impressed by the quantity and quality of the materials salvaged from my home.” As General Contractor, MacLeod plans to incorporate deconstruction into all her future projects, adding, “We need to educate homebuilders with the benefits of recycling materials and decrease the demand for new building products that may otherwise be easily substituted. If we can convey to our clients the tax equivalent savings, and attempt to make up the two weeks of deconstruction with savings elsewhere, I believe we can incorporate deconstruction as part of our business platform with being a steward of the environment.”
DRN’s South Bay representative Kristiaan Vergel-de-Dios began the process by identifying and inventorying all reusable (and donation worthy) items in the home. Next, Larry Murakami Contracting carefully dismantled the home and organized all salvageable materials under Vergel-de-Dios’ direction. DRN’s local reuse partner-venue Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles’ ReStore in Gardena received the salvaged building materials for resale and reuse within the community and to help fund affordable housing.
To view photos please visit our photo gallery.
DRN is an environmental and social benefit 501(c)(3) dedicated to promoting and empowering deconstruction practices and the reuse of quality building materials through collaboration. The organization endeavors to secure continued life for reusable items in order to reduce waste. DRN facilitates charitable reuse of surplus property and building materials through partnerships with Habitat for Humanity affiliates in California, and the housing ministry, Corazón.
About Deconstruction & ReUse Network:
Deconstruction & ReUse Network is an environmental and social benefit corporation 501(c)(3), whose mission is to promote and empower deconstruction practices and to grow a greater reuse network for quality building materials through partnerships with complimentary operations and organizations. Deconstruction & ReUse Network currently serves Northern and Southern California with partnerships that benefit Habitat for Humanity and Corazon. www.Decon-Network.org
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Media Contacts:
Lorenz Schilling
DRN
T: 562-307-6065
Lorenz@reusenetwork.org
Angela Moore
Starfish P.R.
T: 310-429-8868
angela@starfish-pr.com