Promoting Freedom for Creative Architecture
Cincinnati, Ohio is a city steeped in history, and throughout the years, it has seen some of the most beautiful buildings and structures built. Many of these structures have been lost to time, demolished, or replaced with newer, more modern buildings. However, there are still many architectural masterpieces from Cincinnati's past that can be salvaged and repurposed in contemporary construction.
Architectural salvage is the practice of procuring building materials and details from demolished or deconstructed structures, and reusing them in new construction or renovation projects. With a rich history in the architectural field, Cincinnati is home to a plethora of architectural salvage sites that cater to homeowners, contractors, and collectors alike.
In this article, we'll explore the various architectural salvage sites in Cincinnati, their history, and what they offer.
Cincinnati has been home to some of the most beautiful and significant buildings in the United States, and the city’s architectural salvage sites are a testament to that history. Here are some of the most popular architectural salvage sites in Cincinnati:
The Building Material Supply Company has been in operation for over 37 years, providing vintage and reclaimed architectural elements to those in and around Cincinnati. The company specializes in repurposing dated mechanics, electric fixtures and woodwork amongst other things.
They primarily focus on recovering materials from historical buildings and sites throughout the region, rather than demolishing buildings in order to obtain salvageable elements.
The Building Material Supply Company is an excellent resource for homeowners and contractors looking to add a touch of history to a project, or for a collector interested in vintage building products. They carry a wide variety of items ranging from hand-carved fireplace mantels, stained-glass windows, wrought iron railings, wooden beams, and millwork.
The Cincinnati ReUse Center is a sister organization to the Building Material Supply Company. This site focuses on donating to the community, reducing waste, and remodeling projects.
They offer a range of reclaimed and repurposed items, from appliances and furniture to building materials and hardware. They are able to provide unique pieces for residential and commercial projects that not only reduce waste, but also support the community.
The Preservation Station Cincinnati restores and repurposes architectural details from period structures. Located in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, the organization salvages and repurposes vintage and antique items to minimize construction waste and promote sustainability.
The organization provides an extensive collection of building elements, including Victorian and Gothic doors, flooring and tile, mid-century light fixtures, and bathroom fixtures. They also work with architects and builders to provide custom pieces upon request.
Architectural salvage is more than just a trend; it has taken on a crucial role in preserving buildings from the past and provides a foundation for sustainable construction. The practice has a range of benefits:
Architectural salvage promotes sustainability by reducing the carbon footprint of new construction. Reusing existing materials reduces waste and carbon emissions which makes preservation of these items crucial.
Salvaging architectural elements from original structures allows for a connection to history- repurposed elements bring history into the present and give new life to forgotten parts of the past.
Architectural salvage helps to provide unique and distinctive designs. Items that are authentic to historic context or original to an area provide character and a sense of place difficult to replicate.
Cincinnati’s architectural salvage industry is not only a practical solution to the need for sustainable construction, but also a way to breathe new life into historic properties. The reclaiming, retrofitting, and repurposing of materials and items provide character unique to the past that shall live on into the future. By using salvaged materials, the preservation of our history and heritage is achieved in a practical and economical way. We invite you to discover Cincinnati's architectural salvage industry and to incorporate a piece of history into your next project.
