Principles of Future-Proofing

Research on future-proofing the built environment

  • The Principles of Future-Proofing
    • Principle 1: Prevent decay
    • Principle 2: Stimulate flexibility and adaptability
    • Principle 3: Extend service life
    • Principle 4: Fortify!
    • Principle 5: Increase redundancy
    • Principle 6: Reduce obsolescence
    • Principle 7: Plan Ahead
    • Principle 8: Diversify
    • Principle 9: Be local and healthy
    • Principle 10: Consider life cycle benefits
    • Principle 11: Take advantage of cultural heritage policy documents
    • Principle 12: Promote understanding
  • What is Future-Proofing?
    • Future-Proofing: A literature review
    • Future-Proofing: In electronics
    • Future-Proofing: In utilities systems
    • Future-Proofing: In industrial design
    • Future-Proofing: In sustainable design
    • Future-Proofing: And obsolescence
    • Future-Proofing: In building design
    • Future-Proofing: And resiliency
    • Future-Proofing: And climate change
    • Future-Proofing: In historic preservation philosophy
    • Future-Proofing: In heritage conservation philosophy
  • Case Studies & Research
    • Future-Proofing: Seeking Resilience in The Built Environment
    • Future-Proofing & Panarchy
    • Case Study: The Walrus Heads at the Arctic Building
    • The 10 Principles of Future-Proofing and the Arctic Building – AIA Seattle Presentation
    • Future-Proofing and the Arctic Building – Short Presentation
    • Future-Proofing, Charters, and Standards – Integrating the Principles into Practice
    • Future-Proofing Principle #8 – Life Cycle Analysis
    • Future-Proofing Principle #9 – Local Traditional Materials
    • Future-Proofing – An Initial Literature Review
  • About
    • The Author of the Principles
    • Contact
    • Bibliography of Sources
  • Blog

Principle 1: Prevent decay

Promote durable building materials and methods of construction that prevent premature deterioration of our built environment rather than accelerate deterioration.  Interventions should use building materials of equal or greater durability than existing building fabric or design for disassembly and replacement. 

 

It is natural for all building materials to deteriorate.  Promote building materials, methods, maintenance, and inspections that prevent, rather than accelerate, premature deterioration of the built environment.  Interventions in existing buildings should use equally durable building materials.  Do not mix short-term materials with long-term materials.  Materials that deteriorate more quickly than the original building fabric require further interventions and decrease the service life of a building.  Building designs should either include components with similarly long service lives or be designed for disassembly for replacement of the shorter life components.

 

I propose the following oath, with acknowledgment of the Hippocratic Oath and Cervat Erder’s proposal (Erder 1977):

The procedures and materials selected will be for the benefit and respect of our cultural heritage. We will give no harmful treatment, nor counsel such, nor aid in the deterioration or demolition of any monument. As stewards of our heritage and for the benefit of society, we will spurn harmful practices and document all steps taken.

Proudly powered by WordPress Theme: Parament by Automattic.
error: Content is protected !!