Deconstruction Masterclass: Giving New Life to Old Buildings

Deconstruction is the careful dismantling of a  structure in order to preserve and reuse building materials. It might seem like building deconstruction and preservation are at odds. However, old building materials like lumber, windows, and hardware are often built to last and can give new life to existing structures. In addition to economic and environmental benefits, salvaging building materials (instead of crushing and landfilling them) can teach us a lot about the culture, history, and heritage of a particular place and how to appropriately reuse these irreplaceable materials in future projects.

Hear our panel of experts talk about:

• Cultural heritage and preservation as it relates to deconstruction
• Architectural history
• Old building material quality and reusability
• How careful salvage and unbuilding efforts allows preservationists & historians gain better understanding of a place

This panel is the third and final in a series of three events about the economic, environmental, and cultural value of deconstruction. Sign up for all three webinars to complete this Deconstruction Masterclass! The series is funded by the National Trust Preservation Fund. Each webinar will feature a panel of experts sharing the latest updates in a growing industry. Plenty of discussion and Q&A to follow. The series is open to all. Building owners, contractors, city  staff, heritage preservation commissioners, tradespeople, and policy makers are especially encouraged to attend.

Questions about registration prices, COVID-19 protocol, or refunds/cancellations? Read our Need-To-Know page!

This class is funded by the National Trust Preservation Fund. Grants from the National Trust Preservation Funds encourage preservation at the local level by providing seed money for preservation projects.

This class is brought to you by Rethos: Places Reimagined. Rethos Education is financed in part by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.

Click HERE to register!