Reuse of Building Materials

AbstractUntil recently, in Poland, the issue of ecological solutions in building industry was rather neglected by the designers. There were very few ‘eccentric’ architects who, from time to time, took it into account. When Poland joined the European Union the situation changed rapidly. It turned out that “eco”- attitude was so trendy that it gradually influenced different spheres of life, including the area of architectural design as well. Nowadays, architecture is developing towards fairly modern ecological solutions. The design that is nature- friendly has become fashionable and has taken a significant part in regular architect's schemes of work. In centre- spread articles of the press one can read about the expected reduction of heating costs, alternative energy sources, as well as energy- effective or ‘zero- energy’ homes. More and more attractive have become modern building materials which guarantee higher maintenance standards and respect the rules of sustainable development. How quickly the changes are being introduced depends vastly on the so- called ecological policy applied by the political authorities, which- with the time passing- impose on investors new duties and demands, such as more and more rigorous limits to energy effectiveness of buildings