Analysis: Demolition Take Down looks at the construction industry, a sector which generates 48% of all waste produced in Ireland
Demolition Take Down is a research and engagement initiative aimed at revolutionising Ireland's demolition practices. The Irish construction industry accounts for 6% of the employed population, but generates 48% of all waste produced in Ireland and demolition is part of this business. We seek to uncover the underlying motivations and current challenges behind demolition practices in Ireland. Through explorative research and cross-disciplinary conversations, we aim to spark a shift in attitudes and behaviours within the construction industry.
Our existing buildings represent energy already expended and effort exhausted. To demolish a building and replace it with a new one repeats the environmental impact on the same site. The culture needs to change to one where adaptive reuse is valued over and above demolition and replacement buildings. This project is a call to action for policy makers, decision makers, councils, constriction industry works, clients and the public to take climate action now. Public attitudes are the life and death of a building.
We want to spark an industry-wide discussion and pave the way for more sustainable, responsible approaches to demolition in Ireland.
The project so far
The first phase of the project was launched with the focus on the engagement of the construction industry through a survey and interviews. This phase sought to understand some of the reasons why existing buildings are often demolished and the challenges of adapting them for reuse.
The second phase extended to third-level education with a collaboration between TU Dublin's School of Architecture, Building and Environment and School of Surveying and Construction Innovation. This sought to introduce collaboration early in the education of construction industry professionals and break down entrenched disciplinary silos in an academic environment.
A large outdoor installation at IMMA is the third phase of the initiative and combines all of the research that has been uncovered during previous phases. The aim of this project is to point to collaborative solutions that the construction industry can embrace with the support of the public.
Inside the artwork
The Demolition Take Down installation by Islander Architects was designed in response to our research and conversations across the construction industry. The 3-D installation shows the amount of waste generated per person by the construction industry in Ireland over each person’s lifetime. Imagine this volume multiplied by the population of Ireland and you will really get a sense of the scale of the issue.
The installation is a conversation-starter and an opportunity to engage with the public and wider construction industry on the topic of demolition. The hope is that it will spark a change in attitude towards the demolition of our existing buildings. We want to spark an industry-wide discussion and pave the way for more sustainable, responsible approaches to demolition in Ireland.
Culture Night
The Demolition Take Down installation will be a key feature of the Earth Rising festival this weekend at IMMA and the venue's Culture Night 2024 activities tonight. Look out for construction industry student invigilators during the Earth Rising festival from the School of Architecture, Building and Environment, along with students from the School of Surveying and Construction Innovation at TU Dublin who will be eager to hear your thoughts.
A short film The Demolition Drama by HouseEurope! will be screened at IMMA at 11am on both Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd. The film discusses how functioning buildings are often demolished to make way for new construction. This practice prioritises profit over people and overlooks renovation and transformation as socially, sustainably and economically beneficial alternatives.
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There will be a series of short presentations by leading thinkers and practitioners in the construction industry on Sunday September 22nd at 3.30pm in IMMA’s talks suite. The discussion will include an introduction from Islander Architects, followed by presentations, a panel discussion and Q&A. Special guests include Susannah Hagan, Emeritus Professor of Architecture at the University of Westminster, London; Ellen McKinney, sustainability manager at IPUT Real Estate; Joseph Kilroy from the Chartered Institute of Builders and architect and architectural historian Dr Carole Pollard. This event will be chaired by Emer Byrne from the School of Surveying and Construction Innovation, TU Dublin.
Demolition Take Down is funded by Creative Ireland's Creative Climate Action Fund funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media in collaboration with the Department of the Environment, Climate & Communications. The installation at IMMA is funded by Creative Ireland, Building Change, IPUT Real Estate, the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI).
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