DeConstruction Services is currently dismantling two large turn-of-the-century NE Portland buildings. Built in the early 1900’s, they total 11,439 sq ft of finished space. The larger structure features architectural splendors indicative of the era: mahogany wainscoting, leaded glass, large double-pocket doors, and a brick veneer rising up to a high pitched roof with ornate overhangs. By choosing to deconstruct rather than demolish these buildings, the lumber saved for reuse is the equivalent of 189 trees left standing. For more information or to fill out our job estimate form, go to DeConstruction Services
DeCon Salvages Historic Materials at Marysville School
After a fire destroyed much of the Marysville School in November 2009, district officials are still unsure about the future of the building. Whether or not the district decides to rebuild the old school or construct a new one, they are certain about wanting to incorporate important architectural pieces from the existing structure. The Marysville School district called upon DeConstruction Services to complete the careful disassembly of salvageable materials. The materials, which include doors, trim, windows and lumber, are being held in the old gymnasium until officials decide the fate of the new school structure.
For more information about this exciting project, and to see additional photographs, read the article in The Oregonian.
Photo courtesy of Faith Cathcart | The Oregonian
Senator Merkeley Visits Deconstruction Site
March ushered in the partnership of Specialized Housing and DeConstruction Services.
About Specialized Housing Incorporated
Like Our United Villages, Specialized Housing Incorporated (SHI) is a 501(C)3 non-profit corporation. SHI was formed in 1981 in collaboration with United Cerebral Palsy, The Epilepsy Association of Oregon and The Association for Retarded Citizens for the specific purpose of improving housing options for people with disabilities. SHI has developed over 100 projects throughout Oregon and has 28 years of experience in housing design, property management, new construction and substantial rehabilitation. Like The ReBuilding Center, Specialized Housing, Inc. has received many awards for outstanding service to the community.
The Project
SHI hired DeConstruction Services to dismantle five houses totaling 5,500 square feet—all of which the deconstruction crews have accomplished in record time. The freshly deconstructed site will be the future home for Eastgate Station, which will be high density housing with 61 units for special needs individuals and families. Eastgate Station will serve low and very low income individuals and families, people with disabilities, and hard to serve homeless families with disabilities. Services for homeless residents will be coordinated by Multnomah County and will be provided by Impact Northwest under Multnomah County’s Bridges to Housing (B2H) Initiative and 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness.
Senator Merkeley with DeConstruction Crew & Shane Endicott on SHI Site
Support for "Green Jobs"
The DeConstruction Services and Specialized Housing, Inc. project created the perfect storm to model the highest potential meaning of “Green Jobs.” Job creation, material reuse, community development, and partnering organizations presented a great reason to contact Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley. The SHI project also happens to be in Senator Merkley’s own neighborhood. While making time in his very busy schedule on Friday, Senator Merkley learned on site how DeConstruction Services and The ReBuilding Center are viable, working examples of Green Jobs. The brief visit included a tour of the remaining house, and a short press interview. The Senator and his aids were very pleased to learn first hand the opportunities reuse develops in the community. The Senator’s closing remarks expressed his excitement about the possibilities this project represented, as well as his support of these kinds of jobs.
Senator Merkeley and Shane Endicott
Senator Merkeley with Executive Director of SHI
Deconstruction of the SHI site saved:
- 27,500 cubic feet of reusable materials out of the landfill
- 6,600 gallons of clean water, or daily water intake of 13,200 people
- 91 mature trees left in the forest, or 28 acres of newly planted pine
- 1,815 square feet of affordable housing from the reused building materials
- 2,495 additional hours of work at a living wage, supporting our local economy
- 7.9 cars removed from the road in the reduction in greenhouse gases
About DeConstruction Services
deconstruction : n. 1. the selective disassembly of a building structure in reverse order of assembly, usually by hand to maximize the re-harvest of materials for reuse. 2. an essential component of sustainble, green building.
Since 1999, DeConstruction Services of The ReBuilding Center has helped hundreds of homeowners, contractors and others with remodeling and building removal projects of all scopes and sizes.
2008 was a productive year for DeConstruction Services. The phone rang off the hook, yielding 569 intakes. These eventually became 122 projects, supplying The ReBuilding Center with materials from:
- 26 whole houses and apartments
- 18 detached garages
- 16 partial structures
- 3 really BIG barns
- 29 kitchens
- 19 skims
- 8 bathrooms (plus 74 hotel baths to date)
- 6 chimneys
- Just for fun DeConstruction Services also took apart:
- 1 tiny shed
- 1 funky foundation
- 1 huge bookshelf
- 1 personal rock climbing wall
- 1 beautiful Brazilian cherry floor
- 1 WWII PT Boat
- 2 basements
During 2008, DeConstruction Services also engaged in projects to help promote the use of deconstruction over traditional demolition. We:
- Hosted an intern to create a proposal to train professional Interior Designers in the use deconstruction methods.
- Worked with PSU students to create the DeConstruction Density Mapping Project to promote more deconstruction over demolition!
- Provided resources and advise for 8 organizations interested in deconstruction.
We are very pleased to see such positive support of DeConstruction Services and the process of deconstruction in general. We look forward to another fantastic year and want to extend our sincere gratitude to all those in the community who continue to support and promote our efforts. To learn more about DeConstruction Services click here.
Big Barns
The Deconstruction crews are finishing up one big job! Take a look at the pictures below to see how we hand dismantle buildings—from roof to floor boards!
Check it out!