02 Deconstruction offer
What is put together in blocks can be taken apart in blocks and I started wondering if the house could be deconstructed instead of demolished and be rebuild later, at an other location.
To research a deconstruction option I called in external expertise and very usefull advice was given by stonemason Peter Dunns (Dunns Masonry) and builder Graham Anderson (Design Construction).
Based on the reuse of 5 basic construction components for the rebuild, I developed a strategy for the deconstruction of the house.
The 5 basic components are the Oamaru stone facade, the external joinery, the Marseille roof tiles, the internal timber joinery and the tin pressed ceilings.
For as deep as my knowledge and experience in construction could take me I tried to think through a deconstruction/rebuilt stratgy and still I could make a it work.
Taking down a stone building is a crazy idea but the idea grew on me and started making sense.
It actually started making perfect sense.
I wanted to built my own house with reused construction materials and now, here was not only an opportunity to gather all materials to built this house, here also was an opportunity to salvage this beautiful house and (potential) New Zealand heritage.
Moreover it was an opportunity to reinstate and structurally upgrade the house for future generations and rebuild it on a location it deserves.
It was the opportunity of a life time and I was there at the right time, at the right spot.
If there is one person who could do this job it has to be me.
Even though everybody thought it was a crazy idea, deconstructing the house was deemed possible and I made an offer to the new owners to deconstruct all of the House, Garage and Outbuilding for free.
I was prepared but also not prepared at all.
It was a crazy idea but it put a smile on my face: my offer got accepted.
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