We cannot arrive at a positive future state along the path of our own destruction. Buildings are not disposable. And yet smaller, perfectly fine homes are routinely destroyed and replaced with larger ones. Emblematic of this process, even historically significant buildings are demolished to make way for high rises and shopping centers, or because their mechanical systems are outdated, or only because of simplistic economic rationale.
This principle considers existing buildings an important resource not only because they are often cultural assets, but also because of the energy expended in constructing them. It takes more energy to build a new building than to restore an existing one, and re-using existing buildings reduces the amount of waste that must be disposed.
Duration is an important aspect of ecological architecture.
