E+E Leader – Ameresco, Boulder Partner in Sustainable Deconstruction of Former Hospital

Ameresco, known for its specialization in energy efficiency and renewable energy, has teamed up with the City of Boulder, Colorado, to undertake an extraordinary sustainable deconstruction project. Together, their mission is to repurpose, reuse, and recycle more than 75% of the building materials from the former Boulder Community Health Hospital, breathing new life into the discarded materials and items for a variety of city projects.

As part of Boulder’s plan to divert a staggering 85% of its waste from landfills by 2025, Ameresco’s collaboration serves as an example of sustainable deconstruction. With the completion of the project imminent, it is expected to surpass the city’s initial goal and set new standards for resource conservation.

Progress is already underway on deconstructing the building. The hospital’s interior has been demolished, paving the way for the removal of concrete floors, steel, and exterior materials. Ameresco took an innovative approach by auctioning off items such as pumps, motors, doors, and fixtures, ensuring their reuse instead of contributing to landfill waste.

Now, in the final phase of deconstruction, the focus has shifted to reimagining the hospital’s structural steel for a new fire station, set to grace the cityscape by mid-2024. This process provides a demonstration of the circular economy in action and offers materials as substantial as steel and concrete a repurposed life.

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