Saving this house’s wood from landfill (about $15k worth)

Summary

The video script narrates the story of a dilapidated farmhouse near Canberra, Australia, slated for demolition. The narrator, an Outward Bound guide, decides to deconstruct the building to salvage its Australian hardwood before the excavators arrive. With the help of his friend Heath, a woodworker, they reclaim the timber, reflecting on the building's past and the environmental impact. The script captures the duo's passion for repurposing materials and the beauty of giving new life to old wood.

Takeaways

• 🏠 The script describes the process of deconstructing a dilapidated farmhouse near Canberra, Australia, which was once used by Outward Bound Australia.
• 🏗️ The building had been condemned after 60 years and three renovations due to white ants infestation, leading to its abandonment for a decade.
• 🛠️ The narrator, a guide with 20 years of experience, decides to salvage the wood before the building's demolition, aiming to repurpose the materials.
• 🌳 The farmhouse is described as having been made of Australian hardwood framing, which is both robust and of high quality.
• 🔨 The deconstruction work is physically demanding and involves removing nails and brackets by hand to preserve the wood.
• 🌡️ The work is performed in challenging conditions, with high temperatures and the presence of dust and debris.
• 👷‍♂️ The narrator is joined by Heath, a full-time woodworker who specializes in creating furniture from reclaimed timber.
• ♻️ The script emphasizes the importance of repurposing materials and the environmental benefits of salvaging wood instead of sending it to landfill.
• 🐦 The building is home to various wildlife, including possums and rats, highlighting the ecosystem services that buildings can provide.
• 🌲 The narrator reflects on the life cycle of the trees used in the construction of the house, from their growth to their current state as building materials.
• 🏗️ Despite the hard work, the narrator is excited about the potential for the salvaged timber to be transformed into new structures and furniture.

Q & A

Where is the farmhouse located?

The farmhouse is located on the southern bank of the Murrumbidgee River, near Canberra.

What is the condition of the farmhouse when first mentioned in the script?

The farmhouse is described as dilapidated and has been shrouded by a rambling garden, blending into the background.

How long has the farmhouse been in its current state before the events of the script?

The farmhouse has been in its current state for 10 years before the events of the script.

What prompted the speaker to take action regarding the farmhouse?

The speaker was prompted to take action by the thought of all the untouched wood going to landfill when the demolishers were booked.

What was the speaker's initial plan before the excavators arrived?

The speaker's initial plan was to deconstruct the house and salvage the wood before the excavators arrived.

What is the significance of the Australian hardwood framing in the farmhouse?

The Australian hardwood framing is significant as it is described as magnificent and is found throughout the rafters, joists, floor joists, bearers, and walls of the farmhouse.

Who is Heath, and what is his role in the script?

Heath is the speaker's old schoolmate, a full-time wood nerd who makes furniture from reused timber. He joins the speaker in salvaging the wood from the farmhouse.

What is the speaker's philosophy regarding the use of wood from the farmhouse?

The speaker believes that wood should be used for its intended purpose until it can no longer serve, reflecting a respect for the materials and their origins.

What is the 'lightning join' mentioned in the script?

The 'lightning join' is a term used by the speaker to describe a particularly impressive joint they found in the building, likened to a lightning strike due to its visual impact.

How does the speaker feel about the excavator's role in the demolition process?

The speaker feels a mix of fascination and sadness as the excavator's efficiency and strength mean that much of the wood, which they had carefully salvaged, is destroyed.

What does the speaker envision for the salvaged timber from the farmhouse?

The speaker envisions creating a building with a staircase and a mezzanine, filled with furniture made by Heath, and a bench top that exposes the tree's most interesting features, including the nails and bolts from its time as a house.