ABSTRACT
Reusing precast concrete elements from buildings condemned for demolition is a promising strategy for reducing the environmental impact of concrete in construction. While several successful cases of deconstruction and element reuse exist, scaling this approach from a niche practice to mainstream construction remains a significant challenge. One significant barrier is the conventional architectural design process, which is not well suited to integrating reclaimed structural elements into new projects. This paper addresses this challenge through the design and construction of a temporary exhibition building completed with 94% reused materials by weight. The project demonstrates a flexible design process that incorporates reclaimed precast concrete elements from multiple donor buildings into a new architectural configuration. The study emphasizes material sourcing as an integral aspect of the architectural design process and presents a systematic approach for identifying suitable donor buildings by collecting and analyzing demolition permits within a defined geographic area.
