Boston Architectural College Partners with BBR for a Deep Dive into Material Donation and Reuse

Students enrolled in the Boston Architectural College (BAC) Community Practice course are spending time amid the flow of donated materials through BBR’s Reuse Center to learn more about who donates, who buys, and the ultimate second use of the materials that leave the store with their new owners.

During the fall 2024 semester, and again this spring, students have been working in small teams to engage with the Boston Building Resources community as well as the local design community to understand why and when people choose to donate and reuse building materials. Dr. Ashley Tannebaum, AIA, leads the faculty team overseeing more than 70 first-year architecture students each semester, who hail from around the world.

"Engaging directly with BBR and their community allows students to bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical application," Ashley noted. "This real-world exposure transforms their understanding and equips them with the skills and knowledge to bring a ‘reuse mindset’ to the next generation of architectural and design practice.”

In December, students presented findings synthesized from conversations with donors (a warehouse manager, hardware store staff member, renters, homeowners, contractors, and developers) as well as buyers – mainly homeowners (77%) as well as landlords, contractors, and business owners.

Why do people opt to purchase used materials? Choosing to reuse “is not only a cost-effective strategy, but also a conscious, responsible choice that helps them keep home expenses manageable while contributing to sustainable practices,” the students found. Affordable used materials allow buyers to “reduce waste and lessen their carbon footprint while upholding high standards for their homes.”

They found buyers to be most strongly motivated by affordable prices, while donor motivations included a desire to support the community, environmental responsibility, and financial benefits. One-quarter of donated materials were brand new, while 29.5 percent were used for one to nine years and 22.7 percent were used for ten to nineteen years.

Students reached out to architects and designers to learn how they were reusing materials. Some examples include reusing exterior siding on the interior, repurposing beams to create a vertical garden, milling reclaimed lumber into siding and exterior benches, and restoring steel casement windows. The vast majority of reuse happens in the residential sector (90.5 percent).

Reuse happens mostly in small projects, where used items have the advantages of being cost effective, sustainable, locally available, and unique or having historical value. Big projects have not incorporated reuse widely because of drawbacks including a lack of warranty, a need for testing to ensure that materials meet safety requirements and building codes, and a mismatch between existing materials and items specified to meet project requirements.

The student team recommended ramping up educational efforts about reuse among emerging architects, designers, and contractors. In order to bring a “reuse first” mindset to architectural practice, they recommended keeping reuse in mind at the start of each project, educating clients about the benefits, examining projects for any potential reuse opportunities, and instructing contractors.

“Observing the practices at Boston Building Resources and engaging with individuals who prioritize secondhand materials underscored how these efforts contribute to environmental preservation, resource efficiency, and community wellbeing,” the students reported. “This opportunity inspired us to consider how incorporating sustainability into everyday decisions can create meaningful, positive change that benefits both present and future generations.”

We look forward to the insights that the spring semester students will add to the conversation!