Reusing components: Visit to the component exchange
What an online marketplace! The offer includes, for example, a "hot-dip galvanised steel external staircase with railing" for 2,500 francs. There is also the technical drawing and a short story: The stairs have never been needed, they had to be dismantled immediately due to an appeal. On Useagain, the brokerage platform for component reuse, there are also "Moroccan cement tiles, originally packed on pallets", garage doors, a wide variety of windows, insulation panels, sinks, etc. "Many people first look at the items online and then in person with us," says Manuel Herzog, head of the Basel Component Exchange, between rows of toilet bowls, shower trays and parquet samples on display here.
Driving component reuse
Founded over 20 years ago, the institution is one of the professional providers who advertise on the Swiss online platform and are working together to ensure that the idea of component reuse becomes more and more popular in Switzerland. And this is necessary in order to conserve valuable resources and reduce energy consumption and the CO2 footprint in the construction sector, emphasises Andreas Sonderegger, co-head of the Institute of Constructive Design at the ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences.
It is time for a fundamental rethink. "We must no longer regard disused buildings as waste, they are a raw material," says Sonderegger, co-editor of the book "Reusing Components – A Compendium of Circular Construction". It was created in connection with the award-winning showcase example of component reuse in Switzerland: Head Building 118 on the Sulzer site in Winterthur is the largest building built primarily from reused components. Compared to a conventional new building, 60% greenhouse gases were avoided.
Reuse used to be common
Reusing components as one-to-one as possible, i.e. without energy expenditure for recycling processes: What is now a trend topic in the architecture scene as "component reuse" used to be commonplace. Andreas Sonderegger: "In Switzerland, with its half-timbered and knitted buildings, the continued use of wood had a particular tradition. And if a wall was no longer needed, the mortar could be knocked off the stones and reused." But today, wood is often glued, mortar is harder than the stones and labor is more expensive than material. The last point stands and falls with the reawakening of reuse.
True craftsmanship
The fact that people used to save more on materials than on labour is shown by the small treasures on offer at the Basel Component Exchange: hand-forged metal railings, artistically carved wooden doors. "Such elaborate craftsmanship is hardly affordable today," explains Manuel Herzog.
The cost factor labor is also decisive in the question of which components the exchange will include in the offer at all. This is because the team gets most of the parts itself from demolition objects and prepares them. That's work, that's cost. But a distinction must be made here, explains Herzog. "One part, the preparation of the components, is an opportunity for integration companies like us." The Basel Component Exchange is operated by the Overall cooperative, which is committed to the integration of young people and adults into the world of work. "But the other part, the dismantling of usable components on the construction site, can be operated quite economically," says Herzog.
Don't throw away anything useful
If a house or part of it is to be demolished, the owner can contact the component exchange. "Mostly these are people who care that useful things are not simply thrown away. For others, saving money is the main focus," says Manuel Herzog. When he receives an inquiry, he looks at the house and decides which components are suitable for the stock exchange. These are then expanded by permanently employed craftsmen and program participants of the component exchange. In order to increase sales opportunities, a good network is needed, says Manuel Herzog.
Scope helps in the search for components
In a basement of the Overall construction companies, 140 windows are stored. All from a dismantled apartment building, used, but in top condition and with the insulation values required today. Throwing it away would be a bad idea. But dismantling in the demolition object and then storing it is not yet a mature idea either. Because both cause costs that have to be covered. That's why these 140 windows aren't just waiting for a door to open for them sometime, somewhere. No, they are reserved for a re-use construction project – thanks to the network and "component matching".
"Component matching" is the coordination of supply and demand and works via an online platform. Here, Manuel Herzog states, for example, that windows could be removed from a demolition object. On the other side of the matching are interested parties such as Jasmin Amann from Zirkular GmbH. She is an architect, re-use expert and "component hunter", as it says on her business card. She also takes windows as an example: She was looking for 60 of them for a new building and created a corresponding search profile. "Because we don't get far with rigid sizes, approximate figures are recorded," she says. "The more flexible the parameters, the higher the chance of a hit." So here it worked. She was able to look at the windows before they were removed, after which they were dismantled together with the shutters. And after storage for as short a time as possible, they start a second career in a new building. Manuel Herzog from the Basel Component Exchange sums it up: "Reuse means no additional CO2 emissions for production, but new jobs."
Creative solutions for renovation
How components can be reused on the spot is shown by a project by the construction office in situ in Rorschach (SG). Join architect Meret Hodel on a tour of the "TraumRecyclingHaus" and find out how component reuse stimulates the creativity of everyone involved.
source :Reusing components: Visit to the component exchange (energieschweiz.ch)