Some buildings have stood the test of time. After centuries or even millennia, they remain structurally sound, revered as living testaments to history and human innovation. Some are still in use today, many lifetimes after their original designers passed away.
These buildings, whether by design or accident, were built to last—a concept that is increasingly relevant today. Building construction and operations account for a concerning share of carbon dioxide emissions. The embodied carbon resulting from building material production and construction makes up about 11% of all global carbon emissions. According to a new book on long-life buildings, designing structures to stand much longer—and to survive the various twists and turns that come with an extended lifespan—is a new imperative for architects.
“Buildings are a huge investment of energy, material, human capital, and money,” says David Fannon, professor of architecture at Northeastern University and co-author of “The Architecture of Persistence: Designing for Future Use”. “We pour all these resources into making them. It only seems right that they should serve their purpose for as long as possible.”
