About Agingerrail
4th year Civil Engineering student at Imperial College London

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
A change to adoptive architecture
Effects of global weather warming on architectural detailing, material choice and human interaction.
How big is the problem and what can we do to mitigate the effects?
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
A number of cool guides to help with the heat.
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.
Architectural Technologist CPDs and Communications
CIAT CPD… and how you can do it!
Cooling centres and cool spaces
Managing extreme heat in cities by directing the public to places for heat stress relief and water sources.
Winter gardens: A brief history and warm variations
Extending the season with glass in different forms and terms.
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.
Construction Skills Mission Board launch sector drive
Newly formed government and industry collaboration set strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 construction workers a year.
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.