Lifespan
How long should buildings last?
Prophecies by futurist experts often seem comical when the predicted year arrives and our world looks nothing close to how we were told it would.
Is this the same with buildings, we imagine we are designing a finished layout but can we imagine how it will have changed in a few year’s time?
We often see buildings refurbished before 25-years and internal areas reconfigured, windows replaced, extensions added etc. With this in mind what lifespan are we really looking for?
This can be a nearly impossible task but it is a challenge you must accept!
You may well select materials on the basis of appearance or on quality. But what quality do we need?
If you hope the material will remain in good order for say 50 -years then it may not require any maintenance in the next 30-years. A material with a 30-year life span may need repairs or replacement in say 20 years. No one can see the future but we can be guided by what has commonly occurred to 30 year-old buildings.
The other part of lifespan is durability of the main product and crucially the fixings, joints and seals. An easy example is glass – it will not fail as long as it is not subjected to stress that causes damage. The surroundings to glass are another matter. As part of a double or triple glazed unit, seals deteriorate from solar exposure and the gas in the cavities drain away. A glass to glass window will be joined by mastic that may fail and let rain into the building. So, not only review the base material consider how it will be fixed and how you can protect the joints etc. to keep it working.
After the natural life of the material be it a change to update or because it has deteriorated and needs replacement, can it be recycled, reused or upcycled? It is a beneficial double whammy to our environment not to have to manufacture with mined raw materials and not to have to fill up landfill with something that can be reused.
Fitzpatrick Team can help with your new project. Why not give Mark a call?
