Deconstruction Manuals for Construction and Demolition (C&D) Projects

Image of Chartwell School Assembly — Chartwell School in Seaside, CA, supports adaptation and disassembly. It has nail-free paneling, exposed connection systems and utility raceways above lockers to simplify future upgrades.

The below manuals provide guidance on designing buildings to facilitate deconstruction and deconstructing buildings to reduce the disposal of reusable C&D materials.

Design for Deconstruction Manual (pdf) (1.32 MB)
This handbook presents an overview of basic Design for Deconstruction principles, and outlines the implementation of these principles in the design of Chartwell School in Seaside, California.
Residential Deconstruction Manual (pdf) (309.41 KB)
In 2001, Stardust Non-Profit Building Supplies, Inc. sought and received a $40,000 grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a formal program and process for deconstructing and recovering reusable construction and home improvement materials, as well as educating homeowners and the construction industry on the benefits of reuse.