As part of an organization that revolves so heavily around construction, deconstruction seems like a contradictory goal for the ReStore, doesn't it?  It is true that we primarily build homes, but we also build communities and build lives.  But still, why deconstruction?

What is Deconstruction?

Deconstruction is the dismantling of buildings in the reverse order of their construction.  The idea is that in the end, the maximum amount of salvageable material is saved.  Up to 90% of the materials in an existing house can be reused if properly salvaged.  Furthermore, for every million people living in a metropolitan area, more than 250 houses worth of perfectly good building materials are thrown away each month by homebuilders.  If this material was used to build houses, it would generate many more houses than the Lake County affiliate has buillt in its 21 years.

What Goes Up, Must Come Down...

But does it need to go into the ground?  If the Lake County affiliate provided a deconstruction service, the material that came down from the donated houses would be resold at the ReStore for profit.  This would generate even more cash flow and ultimately build more houses!  This is why our goal at the ReStore is to deconstruct.

Read More to Learn More

The Washington Post
Solve Climate
EPA
Watch a Time Lapse Video
The Deconstruction Institute
Urban Habitat Chicago