Building LifeCycle
Life cycle building is the design of building material, components, information systems, and construction management practices to create buildings that facilitate and anticipate future changes to and eventual adaptation or dismantling for recovery of all systems, components, and materials. When designing and building a structure that adheres to the Life Cycle philosophy one must consider the full lifecycle of buildings and materials-from resource extraction through occupancy and, finally deconstruction and reuse. Designers must focus on quality and creativity of design concepts, and develop strategies that maximize materials recovery and facilitate local building materials reuse. Designers must find ways to reduce overall embodied energy and greenhouse gas emissions of building materials through reuse, and in doing so, decrease environmental and economic costs. There are so many aspects to consider-carbon management, water efficiency and quality, material optimization, renewable energy and energy efficiency just to name a few. So to sum this up, lifecycle building addresses real world issues and takes a proactive approach by changing the way we as designers go into each and every design. It calls us to a higher purpose, asks us to be considerate of those who will be here long after the inception, and construction of our structures.
So how do we go about doing this? I have discovered one company right here in Birmingham that is the perfect example- KMAC GreenWorks. KMAC Services is an industrial recycling company focused on the re-manufacture and re-use of industrial byproducts such as: plastics, rubber, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, coal and coke, paper and cardboard. They’ve been in business since 1985. They launched KMAC GreenWorks in 2003. This facet of their business provides homeowners, bulders, designers, and architects with sustainable building products such as hardwood flooring, beam and timber work, brick and stone. Additionally, they use reclaimed wood to create one of a kind distressed furniture pieces. Since KMAC has been recycling the amount they have reclaimed is in the multi-millions of pounds. While that is an enormous figure to equate, Roy at KMAC went on to say they handle hundreds of thousands of tons in any given year!
So where do they find these products to recycle? KMAC has travelled across the U.S. dismantling mills, churches, houses, including parts of the University of Montevallo, and the old Jack Daniels Distillery. They’ve gone as far north as Vermont and as far west as Texas to dismantle buildings that would otherwise waste away. They also offer recycling options for LEED project, and those who simply want to recycle their construction "waste". KMAC offers several options for these services. In some cases they even pay the contractors to take their refuse materials.
So how does this fit into the previously mentioned building lifecycle model? Of course there is the obvious- KMAC GreenWorks diverts a massive amounts of material from landfills. But there is so much more. Whenever possible, KMAC focuses on the use of man power rather than machines when dismantling structures, therefore using a sustainable energy source and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Once the materials make it the warehouse, they are either kept in their original state or minimally processed. Therefore their products require drastically less energy than that of new building materials. Their products are also cost efficient. For example, if a contractor chooses to buy 2x4 studs from KMAC he or she will pay a fraction of what it costs to get a product of equal quality at your typical building supply store. KMAC not only does its part to save our planets resources; they offer economic benefits aswell. This is a beautiful example of not only lifecycle building but also the cradle-to-cradle approach to sustainable design.
I am truly inspired by the work of this company. And will take from their example the incredible benefits of utilizing the lifecycle approach.
