Durability in technology design

The achievement of a sustainable dimension in contemporary architecture is a challenge that engages both its design and materials, components, systems the building is made of. Nevertheless durability is, nowadays, more than a requirement in the design phases. As a consequence the concept on which the building is based is deeply connected with the expected lifespan. Starting from this point of view durability is intended as the skill of a building to maintain efficient and functional its features in the time. The design activity plays a central role in the contemporary building process. Some case studies are used to analyse a new possible trend in building conception. This trend identifies some “permanent” and “reversible” elements in the building. The first ones are those, like the primary structure, the service core, the technical spaces, whose role and performance in the construction can be considered the same for all the lifetime. The second ones are those, like a cladding system or a climate control device, that can be changed in order to obtain an higher level of performance. Consequently the design activity has to foresee two different levels of durability which correspond to a more adaptable and sustainable use of technologies and materials.