Re:Generation Edition 03
Digital systems to support circularity
Reimagining what’s possible While Black Swan achieved outstanding results, both Daniel and Riaan are clear that the outcomes were made possible by careful planning and client alignment. The Black Swan project demonstrates how reuse-first demolition is possible and practical, even in large, complex buildings with bespoke systems. By combining digital platforms with deep technical knowledge and local engagement, General Demolition turned what could have been a standard warehouse strip-out into a blueprint for circular deconstruction. “I’m especially proud of how much the GD team preserved for reuse without damage,” Riaan reflects. “This project stands out as a landmark in reuse, with Reusefully’s audit confirming we achieved an 80% reuse rate. That outcome is a direct result of the team’s precision in dismantling, salvaging, and palletising materials. Without that level of care, we couldn’t have given so much a second life.”
Reusefully’s audit confirmed that over 80% of salvaged materials were reused - a standout result given the project’s scale, bespoke design, and material variety. It marks one of General Demolition’s highest verified reuse rates to date.
Alongside technical execution, the project was underpinned by detailed planning and digital asset tracking. During pre-demolition or refurbishment audits, it’s essential to consider what materials have the potential for reuse. On each project, I keep a record of materials identified for recovery and upload data on reusable assets to an online platform, triggering real-time notifications to our reuse partner network and streamlining material tracking and redeployment,” shares Daniel Leung, who oversaw reuse coordination across the site. The platform in question, Material Index, enabled faster matchmaking with reuse buyers, including for materials such as racking and steel purlins. In total, 73.1 tonnes of racking were recovered for reuse The Black Swan soft-strip required a high level of precision and care due to the nature of the materials and reuse goals. To preserve value and maintain traceability, the team meticulously categorised and stored each item on- site. “Boards had to be unscrewed, steel unbolted, bolts counted, and pathways cleared for storage areas. It changed the flow of logistics on- site completely,” explains Riaan. This precision and attention to detail delivered powerful results, including:
General Demolition sets new standard with zero waste at Black Swan
Materials salvaged and reused included:
Steel purlins and structural components from the mezzanine Edge protection and staircases, sold as modular parts High-level LED lighting, retained for future use in driver and welfare facilities Carpet tiles, distributed to various end users Toilets, mirrors and sinks collected by end user Sprinklers and dock levellers reused on site Ceiling tiles and suspended grid systems removed and stacked for reuse
In Northampton, General Demolition has delivered a project that serves as a prime example of how sustainable deconstruction can deliver lasting environmental value.
The soft-strip of the Black Swan warehouse and distribution centre diverted 100% of materials from landfill and pioneered circular strategies that transformed complex, bespoke structures into valuable reusable resources. Commissioned by Aviva Life & Pensions UK and delivered in collaboration with Spring BC and Leslie Clark, the project involved the internal strip-out of: 154,603 sq.ft of warehouse space and 31,474 sq.ft of adjoining office space
Works began in January 2025 and concluded in April 2025. From the outset, General Demolition were committed to going beyond standard soft-strip practices by prioritising reuse. Leveraging decades of technical expertise and a forward-thinking approach, the team used strategies like modular dismantling, digital asset tracking, and local reuse partnerships to deliver Black Swan to the highest sustainable standard. A bespoke solution to a bespoke mezzanine Among the project’s most complex challenges was a three-storey mezzanine structure spanning much of the warehouse. Constructed with chipboard flooring, steel framing, and integrated racking, the structure had been custom designed for The White Company’s operations, making it unique and complex to repurpose.
“There’s a strong market for standard, single-level mezzanines, but this was a bespoke, three-storey design, and that complexity significantly limited initial interest from reuse buyers,” explains Riaan Taljaard, Operations Manager at General Demolition. Recognising the potential for material reuse despite these constraints, the team carefully dismantled the structure down into components and pursued reuse pathways for each element. “To ensure valuable materials were repurposed, the mezzanine had to be segregated: staircases were unbolted and sold individually, edge protection removed and resold, secondary purlins repurposed for racking systems, and timber flooring salvaged intact wherever possible. Ultimately, we were able to reuse almost the entirety of the structure.”
Working with reuse specialist Reusefully, the team ensured pre-demolition audits aligned with actual salvage outcomes, enabling meaningful verification and environmental reporting. The project team also worked closely with local charities such as Northampton Hope Centre, and community organisations, inviting them on-site to review available materials and claim what could be repurposed.
Volume of material in Tonnes
631 Total CO 2 savings
345 Steel beams and columns
Timber Flooring Boards
Racking
Purlins 85
60 136
05
www.General-Demoliton.co.uk
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