As part of a volunteer initiative, I participated in the careful deconstruction of a building, salvaging materials and components so they could find new life in future projects rather than end up in a landfill.

The experience gave me a hands-on understanding of circular construction and the value of designing with a building's entire life cycle in mind. It was a reminder that materials don't lose their value when a building reaches the end of its life. With thoughtful planning, they can be recovered, reused, and given a new purpose.

This experience reinforced my interest in sustainable design, circular construction and the importance of rethinking not just how we build, but also how we take buildings apart.