Abstract

The built environment is facing a crossroad with resources and capital stressed and stagnation turning into inaction. What clear directions and solutions will develop? I propose it will take both a logical evaluation of the past and creative insights into the future to solve this problem. This paper will discuss how a new attitude, understanding, and application of Lifecycle Principles would allow us to move forward. The following illustrate four approaches: Classic Design Forever: Iconic, historic, and culturally significant buildings require the lifecycle be forever. Choice of materials and systems would be of the highest quality and durability. Buildings inspired by Oliver Wendell Holmes Classic poem “The Wonderful One-Hoss Shay” describe the philosophy of this approach. Destined for Landfill: Architecture thought of as Machine describe our current situation where the useful value expires and is finally disposed into a landfill. Precedents learned and applied from Industrial Designers would inform this approach. A Timex or throwaway design signals a call for change. Adaptive Re-Use Design: This attitude ensures continuity and extends a building’s useful life. We can learn from Europe and Asia where historic and cultural values are considered important to them as they respect the past and adaptively renew their buildings. Functional values change while sound building stock endures. Design for De-Construction: Finally, an approach that efficiently uses materials in an environmentally friendly way that applies production techniques to de-construct and thereby produce a more sustainable Architecture. Inspired by the Metabolist Movement in Japan raw materials would be designed for both construction and de-construction.