Architecture

How Reused Materials Empower Sustainable Building and Design

Using the past to build the future.

January 16, 2024

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By 

Albert Aycardo

In their continuous pursuit of sustainable building and design, designers constantly innovate to make structures more environmentally friendly. A key strategy involves reclaiming materials from past buildings and reusing them in new projects.

This approach of repurposing is a cornerstone of sustainable design. It conserves resources by avoiding the need to manufacture new ones. It saves time and lowers costs, all while reducing the construction’s impact. Using reclaimed materials can reduce the environmental footprint of new construction by up to 30%, underscoring the substantial benefits of this sustainable building method.

Transforming Recovered Wood

Trees play a crucial role in balancing our ecosystems. However, sourcing wood presents challenges, as it takes years for trees to mature – typically between 20 to 30 years for commercially valuable species. Furthermore, wood is susceptible to rot and decay over time, compromising its integrity. The processes of farming and treating wood also add to the difficulty in obtaining it consistently.

bluprint submissions art domes village summum engineering
Natural Dome. The natural dome is the next iteration of Pacquing’s earlier 2018 ‘Earth Mound,’ a 3-meter high structure made of locally found driftwood, based on his fascination with domes and termite mounds.
bluprint submissions art domes village summum engineering
Geodesic Dome. The geodesic dome is Superproject’s homage to Buckminster Fuller, the American architect who popularized the use of these lattice shell structures in architecture.
bluprint submissions art domes village summum engineering
An aerial view of the four domes at the New Clark City River Park
bluprint submissions art domes village summum engineering
Mangrove Dome (foreground). The mangrove dome refers to the small mangrove trees that typically grow in and near-coastal water. Their stilt roots prevent them from being uprooted by tidal and wave action.

The Domes village is a prime example that uses reclaimed endemic Philippine hardwoods. Builders sourced for Molave, Guijo, and Yakal wood from demolished houses in the nearby regions. From there, the team then repurposed the recovered wood to build a new playground at River Park in New Clark City.
To make this feasible, the Forest Products Research Development Institute tested each piece for stability and quality. This use of reclaimed wood is a common practice for sustainable building and design.

https://bluprint-onemega.com/domes-village-summum-engineering/

The Barn: A Case Study for Sustainable Building and Design

“The Barn,” a rustic wooden house in South Kuta, Bali, Indonesia, is a prime example of sustainable architecture in Southeast Asia. Designed by Munich-born, Bali-based architect Alexis Dornier, the house showcases a blend of tropical modernism and industrial architecture. Its primary sustainable feature is the use of ethically sourced reclaimed timber (Kaltimber) for major components, including 16 bent columns originally from a road crossing in Kalimantan, Borneo. The 3-level house demonstrates exceptional timber craftsmanship, with recycled materials forming the stairs, walls, doors, windows, and balconies.

a balinese two storey home made from reclaimed wood.
“The Barn,” designed by Munich-born, Bali-based architect Alexis Dornier, showcases a blend of tropical modernism and industrial architecture.

The design also includes ironwood plank partition walls and a transparent perimeter that harmonizes interior and exterior views of the property. Locally made banana fiber paper partly covers the window partitions, complementing the pendant lamps made from the same material. The furniture, made from recycled teak wood and rattan mesh, contrasts with the dark gray surfaces, highlighting a central skylight and a mezzanine floor housing the master bedroom, upper bathroom, and walk-in closet.

Open living area in a Balinese home made from reclaimed wood.
A dark moody Balinese living area with a white couch and light wooden dining set. A great example of sustainable building and design using reclaimed wood.
A dark moody Balinese kitchen area with a light wooden kitchen island. A great example of sustainable building and design using reclaimed wood.

Reforming Stone Towards Longevity

Ancient structures, primarily built from quarried stone, showcase its resilience as a building material. Stone, often used in its near-original form, requires minimal processing for use and reuse. However, despite its durability, stone is a costly and non-renewable resource. In comparison, alternatives like brick offer a more sustainable choice. For instance, stone extraction contributes to 30% higher environmental impact than brick production, emphasizing the need for more sustainable options in construction.

The patchwork of reclaimed stone is an unraveled material tribute to the old house.
"We want it to be connected to the culture and the roots, either the client or the site. At least, that's my battle cry for architecture here," said Don Lino of the renovation project.
The removal of the old den at the center of the elevation created an arrival experience where there was none before, and allowed Lino to craft an interplay between solid and void.

LINO Architecture’s Bungalow House renovation takes the previously used stone and transforms it into a defining feature. The facade features a scrupulous arrangement of previously used adobe, araal, and marble. What makes this design decision stand out is its resilience to varying climate conditions. This approach maintains the house’s appearance as it ages over the years, adding an element of future-proofing.

Don Lino creates reclaimed stone collage in this bungalow renovation

Elegant Designs Through Reforged Metal

Metal, often used for reinforcing structural components and utilities, stands out for its ease of maintenance and infinite recyclability. However, producing metal is resource-intensive, as it’s also a non-renewable natural resource. Reclaiming metal from past demolition projects offers a cost-effective alternative, requiring only a fraction of the resources needed for new production. Importantly, recycling metal preserves its original properties. Recycled steel, for example, saves 60% to 74% energy compared to producing it from raw materials.

tan loke mun
Seemingly defying gravity, the house’s sculptural steel staircase is all recycled metal and is a familiar element in many of Dr. Tan’s house projects in his boutique firm, DRTAN LM Architects. A painting by Yusri Sulaiman of Malaysia, and a marble nude by Danang Sculpture Group, Vietnam, add interest to the stair landing.

The staircase in the SL11 house showcases how to beautifully incorporate reclaimed metal into design. It takes advantage of the tensile strength of reclaimed steel. The strength of the material can reduce the amount of material needed for construction, as proven by its floating design.

https://bluprint-onemega.com/tan-loke-mun-s-11-house/

Reclaiming materials actively advances sustainable building and design, making progress environmentally friendly. By incorporating old materials into new structures, we create unique stories that these buildings can tell.

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