Integrating Deconstruction into the Project Delivery Process

Growing pressure from the public and legislation for environmental considerations means that there is a pressing need for the construction industry to increasingly consider the recycling and reuse of building components used in constructing buildings. The potential available from considering deconstruction of buildings as a response to environmental concerns offers the construction industry opportunities to effectively and more efficiently integrate environmental priorities into building design and other industry practices. The concept of Design for Deconstruction (DFD) thus has emerged as an important component of construction industry practice in response to concerns about environmental sustainability. DFD approaches building design with the intention of disassembly instead of demolition at the end of buildings life. Although some research has been undertaken to support and establish the integration of deconstruction into current construction industry practice, there is little or no guidance for practitioners on how best to do this. This research fills this gap, and provides a systematic and practical approach, based on empirical work.