Using Reclaimed Materials

According to the National Association of Homebuilders, the amount of lumber used in new construction in the US each year would span 3 million miles laid end to end. That is equivalent to going to the moon and back six and a half times. This sobering statistic touches on only one material commonly used in construction and highlights the importance of using reclaimed materials.

As a firm committed to sustainability, we avoid using new materials whenever possible to reduce embodied carbon. Using salvaged materials reduces waste and also opens the door to showcase hard-to-find materials, such as old growth wood. Reclaimed materials add unique character and a sense of history to a space. Beyond this, our clients love knowing that the materials used in their home were sourced sustainably.

Here are some examples of reusing and reclaiming materials in our practice:

During excavation in this Cobble Hill carriage house, we discovered previously abandoned bricks and stone on site. Rather than discarding these materials, we designed them into our restoration of the home's fireplace.

In a Park Slope kitchen, we repurposed old tiles to create a breathtaking, pearlescent kitchen backsplash.

We reclaimed and reused all of the wood in this warm attic space.

We saved these wood floors from a demolition, re-sanded them, and installed them in this townhouse. The nail pattern from its previous life adds character to its new home.