Large scale uses for reclaimed materials

Large-scale uses for reclaimed materials

In addition to flooring, wall coverings and furniture, salvage can also be used as a building material. In a current project of ours, the client is extending their home, and rather than opting for brick and render, they are keen to introduce warmth and richness through reclaimed building materials.

Let specific pieces be your starting point

Often when using salvaged materials, you need to find the materials first and then let the design be led by your discoveries. The material itself is the starting point, with the creativity and design coming after.

In this project, we are using salvaged timber to clad a new extension.

It is a process of experimentation, and we will be playing with the placement of the timber as we install to achieve the best placement around guttering and other architectural elements.

Tips for using salvage as building materials

• Try to shift your understanding of where and how something has been previously used, and think outside the box.
• While it's preferable not to cut something up, sometimes this may be the best option for achieving the optimum result.
• It's a playful journey and an exercise in creativity to consider different ways a material can be used.

Further reading

• Visit Sir John Soane's Museum