About Agingerrail
4th year Civil Engineering student at Imperial College London
Student For today's building to be resilient to tomorrows' challengers, we have to increase the adaptability of the buildings we construct. A lot of the buildings constructed today are fixed towards a certain specific design in order to drive down the construction cost and use the minimum amount of material. But that means these buildings will also lack the flexibility to face the changing environments of tomorrow. Though this is alternative to the viewpoint of the competition (where we should design fixed buildings based on our predictions of the challenges of the future), I believe a paradigm shift in the construction mindset is needed in order to most effectively face the challenges of the future. And that mindset is the adaptation of flexibility in the internal constructs of a building. This is because though we have made predictions for many of the challenges for the future, they are still predictions, so while we should be designing buildings today to be congruent with those predictions, we should still include inherent flexibility in the buildings to adapt for any errors in our predictions. This is because the average building lifespan is normally 60 years*, but the rate of technological growth vastly exceeds that timescale. Thus many of the products and potential building techniques have not be dreamed of yet. Therefore, the development of adaptability in buildings should be the ultimate aim for the future of building design.
Featured articles and news
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.
Functionality, visibility and sustainability
The simpler approach to specification.
Architects, architecture, buildings, and inspiration in film
The close ties between makers and the movies, with our long list of suggested viewing.
SELECT three-point plan for action issued to MSPs
Call for Scottish regulation, green skills and recognition of electrotechnical industry as part of a manifesto for Scottish Parliamentary elections.
UCEM becomes the University of the Built Environment
Major milestone in its 106-year history, follows recent merger with London School of Architecture (LSE).
Professional practical experience for Architects in training
The long process to transform the nature of education and professional practical experience in the Architecture profession following recent reports.
A people-first approach to retrofit
Moving away from the destructive paradigm of fabric-first.
International Electrician Day, 10 June 2025
Celebrating the role of electrical engineers from André-Marie Amperè, today and for the future.
New guide for clients launched at Houses of Parliament
'There has never been a more important time for clients to step up and ...ask the right questions'
The impact of recycled slate tiles
Innovation across the decades.
EPC changes for existing buildings
Changes and their context as the new RdSAP methodology comes into use from 15 June.
Skills England publishes Sector skills needs assessments
Priority areas relating to the built environment highlighted and described in brief.
BSRIA HVAC Market Watch - May 2025 Edition
Heat Pump Market Outlook: Policy, Performance & Refrigerant Trends for 2025–2028.
Committing to EDI in construction with CIOB
Built Environment professional bodies deepen commitment to EDI with two new signatories: CIAT and CICES.
Government Grenfell progress report at a glance
Line by line recomendation overview, with links to more details.
An engaging and lively review of his professional life.
Sustainable heating for listed buildings
A problem that needs to be approached intelligently.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson apprentice award
Deadline for entries has been extended to Friday 27 June, so don't miss out!
CIAT at the London Festival of Architecture
Designing for Everyone: Breaking Barriers in Inclusive Architecture.
Mixed reactions to apprenticeship and skills reform 2025
A 'welcome shift' for some and a 'backwards step' for others.