This month I am devoting this space to the announcement of a groundbreaking new book on deconstruction. Recently released by The Taunton Press, UNBUILDING: Salvaging the Architectural Treasures of Unwanted Houses by Bob Falk and Brad Guy is now available at major retail and online booksellers, and at TRP's Oakland warehouse.

Taunton Press also publishes the popular magazines Fine Homebuilding and Fine Woodworking and, as subscribers know, the photography and comprehensive how-to articles in these publications are first rate. As a supplement to its May issue, Fine Homebuilding has included a 24-page excerpt from UNBUILDING. It's the first time the publisher has promoted a book so boldly, and the tribute is well deserved.

Falk and Guy cover all aspects of deconstruction in this 250-page book, from its value and multiple benefits as a green endeavor; to the wide ranging opportunities for deconstruction in remodeling, redevelopment and urban renewal; to the step-by-step process of full deconstruction. Chapters cover the classes of materials found when removing buildings and options for dealing with them; how to organize and tool-up for a successful job; safety and environmental factors; site preparation and soft-stripping of fixtures and nonstructural materials; and, of course, the roof-to-foundation removal of the structural components themselves.

Hundreds of full-color photographs and numerous diagrams help to show as well as tell the story, and sidebars spotlight crucial details such as where to place trash containers, how to figure board footage, estimating the quantity of roofing materials, and frequent jobsite hazards, to name a few. Appendices provide a cookbook of weights and measures and a list of tools, along with resource, contact and website information.

Finally, the authors generously feature nine "unbuilding pioneers" in two-page spreads spotted throughout the book that describe the enterprising spirit of early leaders in the deconstruction movement. Proudly, I am one of the nine, and TRP is photographically represented throughout the book, particularly in the latter chapters dealing with full deconstruction.

I highly recommend this book. Whether you are a homeowner, contractor, architect or simply interested in deconstruction, there is something for you in UNBUILDING.

May is fast approaching, so don't forget to register for DECON07 in Madison, Wisconsin, May 14-16. The Building Materials Reuse Association's (BMRA) conference on Deconstruction, Building Materials Reuse, and C&D Recycling is shaping up to be the best ever. If you are interested in materials reuse, green building, or recycling, this is the conference for you! Visit the conference web site (www.buildingreuse.org) and check out the program. In addition to 3 stellar keynotes and 36 speakers, the conference will feature a gallery of furniture made from reclaimed materials, an exciting tour, and two full day post conference workshops. Don't miss this great educational event.

Schedule Change! Please Note: The national conference of the USGBC will not be held in Los Angeles in October as previously announced, but will be held in Chicago from November 7 to 9.

In Oakland, we have just received a shipment of beautiful maple flooring from a high school gymnasium. This flooring has been carefully removed and is in great condition.

In Colorado, the TRP warehouse recently received framing members and beautiful dual-glazed vinyl windows from an 8,000 square foot custom home. In addition, we have several architectural artifacts from an old mortuary in Boulder, including a casket elevator. Be the first on your street to own one.

At the Oakland warehouse, this month we are featuring our huge inventory of lumber. Receive 25% off on any lumber purchase through May 15 with a copy of this e-letter.

At the Colorado warehouse, we are featuring concrete roofing tile. Receive 50% off on all purchases of concrete tile through May 15 with a copy of this e-letter.

TRP is accepting donations of cars, trucks, SUV's, RV's, and motorcycles. Donating a vehicle is a simple process. You just pick up the phone and call. We do the rest. So if you'd like to get rid of an unwanted vehicle, phone now for a pickup. 800-574-0888. Or you can donate your vehicle online at www.vehiclesforcharity.com. Unfortunately, vehicle donations can only be made from the Bay Area counties plus Santa Cruz.

Go to our website www.thereusepeople.org, click on the tab "Opportunities" and look under the heading "Employment Opportunities"

• All the materials from a complete deconstruction of a cottage in Redwood City, including beautiful bathroom fixtures, kitchen appliances in super condition and great windows and doors
• All interior fixtures, including doors, windows, cabinets and plumbing fixtures from a home in Redwood City
• All materials (lumber, fixtures, doors, windows, carpeting) from 3,000 sq-ft custom home in Lafayette

• 1,100 sq-ft Spanish bungalow in midtown Los Angeles
• 2,000 sq-ft contemporary home in Pacific Palisades
• 2,500 sq-ft ranch style home in Pacific Palisades
• 3,000 sq-ft ranch style home in La Canada-Flintridge
• 3,500 sq-ft contemporary redwood home in Del Mar
• 2,000 sq-ft Spanish bungalow in West Hollywood
• 4,000 sq-ft contemporary ranch home in Pacific Palisades
• 8,000 sq-ft Spanish ranch in Rancho Santa Fe
• 14,000 sq-ft office in West Los Angeles
• 6,000 sq-ft 2-story Cape Cod style home in Beverly Hills
• 1,400 sq-ft beach bungalow in La Jolla
• 3,000 sq-ft two-story home in Brentwood
• 1,600 sq-ft West Hollywood home
• 1,200 sq-ft remodel in Hancock Park
• 1,600 sq-ft cottage in Newport Beach
• 2,000 sq-ft ranch style home in Glendora

Location and Contact Information

TRP ReUse Bazaar
9235 San Leandro Street
Oakland, CA 94603
(510) 383-1983; toll-free 888-588-9490
Hours: Mon through Fri 10:00 to 6:00; Sat and Sun 10:00 to 4:00

Boulder Warehouse
10500 Isabelle Road
Lafayette, CO 80026
(303) 666-8094
Hours: Thursday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Please visit our partnering warehouses in Los Angeles and Seattle:

Habitat Home Improvement Store
17700 S. Figueroa (corner of 182nd)
Gardena/Carson CA 90248
(310)-323-5665
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6: 00p.m.

Earthwise Building Salvage of Seattle
3447 Fourth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98134
(206) 624-4510
Hours: Open seven days, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.