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A Brief History Of Architectural Recycling

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A Brief History Of Architectural Recycling

A new concept is coming in a new wave of design known as architectural recycling. A new home is known for one simple fact: being new. A new foundation, new walls, new rooms, new amenities, everything in a new house is new. Home designers are taking an alternative approach to building homes that are new but have old features.

Architectural Recycling Roots

Architectural recycling has been around for centuries. Its roots date back to the early Roman Empire in which Emperor Augustus removed parts of the obelisk and put it in the Circus Maximus. Parts of the ancient Egyptian pyramids have been distributed throughout Europe and North America to be used as parts of public buildings and spaces such as a piece located in Central Park in New York. Though this new home design is coming in a different form, its roots have been laid in the books of architectural history.

What Makes It Unique

What is unique about homes that use architectural recycling is that they are eco-friendly. These homes use pieces and parts of previously used materials from planes, cars, furniture, and basically any material you could imagine. They then use a particular idea to implement into home design. One popular designer, David Hertz, is known for using old parts from the renowned Boeing 747. In a home he designed in California, he used both of the enormous wings to created a stunning, two-story home that was roofed with the wings. He then proceeded to use the jet engine cowling to create a reflective pool outside the home.

Similar to Hertz, many designers are looking for that particular piece or material that will help a home stand out, while also maintaining a relatively cohesive look. Often times these designs can get out of hand when designers try to shape the house around the piece, rather than shaping the piece around the house. This can result in an overwhelming look that is not complete and leaves the home looking uneven. That is why many designers are starting with small pieces such as windows from cars or old pieces of furniture. Leger Wanaselja Architects, based in Berkeley California, is known for their eco-friendly designs that thrive on refurbished poplar (used in the North Carolina furniture industry) bark that is used for siding and lower extremities of homes.

If you’re looking to build a home that is unique in style and also better for the environment, architectural recycling is the way to go. It allows for homeowners to implement personal features that they enjoy along with promoting the environment during the building process. If you’re interested in seeing more designs that are shaped by architectural recycling, follow this link to Dan Gregory’s article.