Capturing the practice of deconstruction in Brussels (1903-1939): Photographic heritage collections as a starting point for construction history

This paper uses the photographic collection created by the heritage organisation ‘Comité d’Etudes du Vieux Bruxelles’ to study deconstruction practices in Brussels between 1903 and 1939. An analysis of images just before, during and after buildings were taken down, allows insights into the demolition techniques that were used and the economic and heritage value of the materials that were dismantled. By doing so, the paper contributes to the research on the reuse of building materials in Brussels, while also illustrating the value of photographic reportages that documented buildings at the end of their lives.