In Australia, research commissioned by Health Infrastructure New South Wales explored “practical, cost-effective, design-related strategies for ‘future-proofing’ the buildings of a major Australian health department” (Carthey et al. 2011, 89). This study, conducted by several faculty and staff at the University of New South Wales, concluded that a focus on a whole lifecycle approach to the design and operation of health facilities clearly would have benefits (Carthey et al. 2011, 106). By designing flexible and adaptable structures, one may defer the obsolescence and consequent need for demolition and replacement of many health facilities, thereby reducing overall demand for building materials and energy (Carthey et al. 2011, 106).
In 1997, the MAFF laboratories at York, England, were described by Lawson as “future-proof” by being flexible enough to adapt to developing rather than static scientific research (Lawson 1997). In 2012, a New Zealand–based organization promoting future-proofing outlined eight principles of future-proof buildings: smart energy use, increased health and safety, increased lifecycle duration, increased quality of materials and installation, increased security, increased sound control for noise pollution, adaptable spatial design, and reduced carbon footprint (CMS 2012).