The Repaired Building
This pattern is shaped by
Problem
When buildings are designed to be replaced rather than repaired — sealed systems, proprietary components, inaccessible structure — they become disposable. The culture of demolition and replacement wastes embodied energy, destroys neighborhood character, and ensures that no building ever develops the depth that comes with age.
Evidence and Discussion
The longest-lived buildings in the world share a common trait: they were designed so that each layer can be maintained or replaced independently. The structure lasts centuries. The skin lasts decades. The services last years. The furnishings change constantly. When these layers are entangled — when you can't replace a pipe without tearing out a wall — the building becomes effectively unrepairable.
Therefore
design every building so that its layers are independent and accessible. Structure should be exposed or easily inspectable. Mechanical systems should run in accessible chases, not buried in walls. Finishes should be replaceable without disturbing structure. Plumbing should be accessible without demolition. The goal: a building that can be maintained, repaired, and upgraded for a hundred years by ordinary people with ordinary tools.