1. RELOCATION
Demolition can also be avoided by building structures that can be easily disassembled and reassembled in a new location. The process involves moving a structure from one place to another in parts or as a single unit. In such cases, architects design the building with a temporary framework attached underneath for structural support. Modern modular buildings are designed with this concept to be relocated. Increasingly pre-existing buildings are also being relocated, such as prefabrication and manufacturing facilities.
2. RENOVATION
According to the study, every new building construction hurts the climate for up to 80 years. Renovation is a better way to use resources instead of demolition as it not only saves the resources, energy and work needed to construct a building but also reduces carbon impact, though when we consider only one building it seems small it shows substantial saving when we look at the whole city under the microscope. With the help of renovation, the property can be made compatible to use by repairing, alterations, and additions while preserving the features that convey historical, cultural, or architectural values.
3. TIMELESS DESIGNS
Timeless designs are characterized by open and flexible open spaces, use of natural elements, deployment of principles of natural proportions, and the golden section along with illustrating the construction methods, revealing how a building goes together. The architects design it such that the building naturally weathers down and takes advantage of environmental systems into the architecture without making a big deal about it. The effect of sunshine, wind, and rain on timeless architecture plays a role to make the architecture special. These designs are concerned with the needs and living of the inhabitants and not focused on establishing a statement or symbol for something else. The designs are flexible such that they can be altered or changed over time by organizing the functional elements like structural walls to transform the big open spaces.
4. ADAPTIVE REUSE
The waste caused due to demolition can be avoided and the building’s life can be extended if the design supports adaptive reuse. It is not only cost-effective but also conserves resources, provides economic and environmental benefits to builders, owners, and occupants, and the communities. Reuse retains the majority of a structure but redesigns it for a new use. The architects can accomplish this early in the design process by finding new opportunities to adapt, disassembly, and reuse. It involves the development of adaptation or disassembly plan, use of open-span structural systems, modular building, and standard size. They can strategize to use durable materials that can be recovered for reuse or recycling and use mechanical fasteners such as bolts, screws, and nails instead of adhesives, this allows the dismantlers to remove materials with less damage, which increases the value of the salvaged material. Adaptive reuse maximizes the recovery of materials, preserves resources through reuse and it can save even easy-to-remove items like doors, hardware, appliances, and fixtures which can be reused at the same or another site.
5. RECYCLING
While designing a building an architect should design the Structures with the idea that once it reaches the end of its usefulness, it can be deconstructed with the valuable components repurposed or recycled. A lot of building components can be recycled. Building materials like brick, concrete, and masonry can be recycled as fill, and can be used as sub base material, driveway bedding or can be transformed into aggregate or new asphalt and concrete products. Wood is often recycled into products like furniture, mulch, and compost. Metals including steel, copper, and brass are often recycled as well. Recycled material is ‘renewed’ such that the embodied material is given an extended life. Recycling offers several benefits to the builder, the client, and the environment.
6. REDUCTION
An important method to avoid demolishing and its harmful environmental effects is through source reduction; it prevents waste from being generated in the first place while recycling and reusing are sustainably managing waste once waste has already been generated. A well-planned construction project helps to eliminate waste, therefore, it’s important to plan how to get rid of construction waste before the project starts. Reduction means to optimize the material used in buildings, using construction methods that allow disassembly, employing alternative framing techniques, reducing interior finishes, and more.
