Deconstruction of houses reflects Rice’s sustainability efforts

Deconstruction of houses reflects Rice’s sustainability efforts

BY JESSICA JOHNS POOL
Rice News Staff

Newspapers and aluminum cans aren’t the only items that can be recycled.

Some buildings can be recycled too, and the three houses on Chaucer Street that Rice is deconstructing to build a child-care center for employees and students are a good example.

JEFF FITLOW

A worker loosens screws holding a cast iron banister in place as part of the deconstruction of houses where Rice will build a child-care center.

Deconstruction means that rather than demolishing and hauling the old buildings to a landfill, a contractor removes materials to be reused on site or sold and reused elsewhere. Wood floors, bricks, lighting and bath fixtures, appliances, cement slabs, flagstone and millwork such as doorframes, windowsills and stair risers are among the items that can be salvaged during deconstruction. Even lightbulbs are removed and reused.

“More than a third of all solid waste sent to landfills in the U.S. is construction and demolition waste and much of it is actually recyclable,” said Richard Johnson, director of sustainability at Rice. “We’re diverting construction waste from our local landfills in how we choose to remove these old houses. With the child-care facility, we have the opportunity to partially deconstruct the existing buildings so that some of the materials can actually be reused by others.”

Though much more time-consuming and labor-intensive than regular demolition, deconstruction reflects the university’s commitment to sustainability.

“There is quite a bit of demand for some of the architectural items from older buildings,” said Johnson. “The environmental benefit of doing this is significant. It’s not just that we are keeping this material out of the landfill, but we are reducing the need for new materials to be extracted and manufactured.”

For instance, the bricks will be taken down and, if broken, crushed and reused as aggregate for new concrete. Old cement slabs are also crushed and reused as aggregate. Bricks that remain whole will be reused in the new building on an exterior wall. Two air-conditioner window units are slated to be installed elsewhere on campus.

TOMMY LAVERGNE

Craig Garrett from Klassic Hardwood Floors removes bricks from a house on Chaucer Street so they can be reused.

Of particular interest to architectural historians on the project are a wood mantel and fireplace surround and an intricately detailed cast iron stairway banister.

“I’m really excited that we’re doing this,” said Joujou Zebdaoui, project manager. “It shows our commitment to green building and the environment, and it also gives us a way to preserve some of the original character of the neighborhood.”

Zebdaoui hopes to use several exterior items pulled from the old buildings in the new child-care center, such as light fixtures and porch banisters.

The plans call for a one-story, 9,600-gross-square-foot building with nine classrooms that can accommodate 84 children: 24 infants and toddlers (0-18 months), 30 older toddlers (11⁄2 to 3 years), and 30 preschoolers (3-5 years). Outdoor play areas are included in the design.

The center is now in the final design stage, and the goal is to build a LEED-certified building. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is a national green building standard. The project team is paying special attention to selecting materials, finishes and landscaping that are appropriate and healthy for children.

The university will hire a child-care company to operate the center.  Tuition is expected to be comparable to market rates. The center is expected to open late summer 2008 and will be available to faculty, staff and students.