Deconstruction stories
Lansing Lake House
In the fall of 2024, Finger Lakes ReUse had the opportunity to salvage materials from a lake house in Lansing. The 1929 building was built in a contemporary style with a shake façade.
The building’s owner faced the tough reality that the foundation was failing structurally and could no longer accommodate their growing family. Recognizing it still had good bones, they began the process of re-homing the material. Assembling their building team — Kristin Barthelomew and Jon Hammond Builders — The owners reached out to Finger Lakes ReUse to see how we could assist them with the material recovery process.
Following a walkthrough with the client and builder (and a few wasps nestled on some copper pipes!), the group understood which materials were recoverable. This included what would be reused on the new project, what the owner was redistributing to friends, and what ReUse could recover with the existing timeframe. Then we got to work!
Waterfront view of House (Photo by Andrew B.)
Deck Removal (Photo by Andrew B.)
Unexpected House Guests! (Photo by Andrew B.)
ReUse in Numbers
With 2 volunteers, 4 employees, and a partnership with the contractor, we recovered 3.2 tons of material. This is equivalent to the carbon sequestered by 3.4 acres of forests in one year.
Most of the material has already returned to the community, but you can review additional material on our website, and find locally used building materials every day at our ReUse Centers!
Volunteer Eric K. removes wood paneling (Photo by Andrew B.)
Material staging in garage (Photo by Andrew B.)
Recovered weather vane and cupola by Jon Hammond Builders for future reuse (Photo by Andrew B.)
Vanities and Plumbing
The kitchen was fully recovered for reuse in the new build. bathroom vanities, boilers, manifolds, and water heaters were reclaimed.
Deck
120sqft deck was recovered and processed.
Carpentry and Cabinetry
This project’s cabinetry was salvaged and brought to our Centers for sale. We also removed and denailed 675 sq ft of oak trim, 200sqft of cedar paneling, and 100 sq ft of shakes for residential reuse.
Electrical Panels
4 electrical panels and numerous feet of wiring and light fixtures were recovered.
Windows
11 windows were salvaged and incorporated into 2 local buildings to weatherize structures before winter.
Insulation
A total of 2,100 sq ft of insulation was salvaged and is now in use in local homes and buildings.
Reuse in Action
Pavilion braving the weather (Photo by Cook S.)
Cook S. sharing his progress on the build. (Photo by Andrew B.)
Cook Shaw, a Super ReUser and recent Cornell architecture graduate, is working with the Acorn Nature School to design and build a new pavilion for students to gather. Students will use this pavilion during snack time and breaks between exploring and learning. Cook approached ReUse, wanting to incorporate as much reclaimed and local material as possible.
Cook procured structural lumber from Locust Lumber Company and reused corrugated metal from the property.
Deconstruction Coordinator Andrew B. offered to scout material as it became available. In the end, Cook was the happy recipient of 120 sq ft of pressure-treated deck boards, harvested from the Lake House project and immediately reused in this phenomenal project, which we are excited to see was completed just before winter set in.
More than anything, we are excited to be a community partner.