The art of (un)building
Levela Deconstruction offers a sustainable alternative to demolition.
Every year, the construction and demolition industry sends thousands of tonnes of perfectly reusable materials straight to landfill, making up 50 per cent of New Zealand's total landfill use. Levela Deconstruction in Tāmakimakaurau takes a different approach, carefully dismantling houses and allowing materials to be salvaged, and then reused in future buildings.
Unfortunately, the former is the status quo and involves destroying buildings with heavy machinery. Levela, however, dismantles everything with hand tools, including managing all asbestos requirements, which is significantly safer and more contained.
“Our work is proving that there’s a better way to start a new project, one that aligns with New Zealand’s sustainability goals,” says one of the company’s founders, Alex Hawthorne.
Adds co-founder Dylan Bull: “We do this first and foremost because it is the right thing to do.”
Alex and Dylan, who are childhood friends, started the business four years ago when they were only 23, and the fact that it has grown and expanded significantly proves that careful deconstruction is a viable economic option.
“Our deconstruction process follows the waste hierarchy, a framework that prioritises waste prevention, to reusing material, then recycling, and, as a last resort, safe disposal.”
Levela always determines whether a building slated for removal can be relocated and repurposed first, and if not, engages with local communities to ensure salvaged materials have a suitable destination.
The young duo is already processing salvaged native timbers into reusable flooring and cladding and is currently setting up a separate business, Waste Less, to act as a link between other deconstruction contractors and the community. Waste Less will accept construction and demolition materials from sites, including timber that will be de-nailed and on sold, along with things like roofing, windows, doors and cabinetry. Furthermore, they'll be on-site with contractors to help implement correct waste separation practices.
Levela’s financially viable alternative to demolition can divert over 90 per cent from landfill and reuse over 50 per cent of materials, with the rest being recycled. All of which can be accurately measured and reported back to the client.
Deconstruction preserves cultural heritage, positively impacts the community, increases worker and neighbourhood safety, and contributes to a more sustainable and resilient built environment.
