Designing for durability and resilience

Designing for durability and resilience is based on the principle of proactive mitigation, as opposed to reactive maintenance. Operational wear and tear, malicious and accidental damages, and dilapidation due to high user numbers all add on a significant amount of operating expenses. This is then spent on repairs and replacements across the lifecycle of a scheme. Degradation of a scheme’s layers can significantly impact its performance. It can pose a health risk to the scheme’s occupants, increase operating costs, reduce the scheme’s aesthetic appeal, as well as reducing its functional performance.

Climate change is also expected to increase the frequency of extreme weather events (i.e. storms, floods, hurricanes) that can accelerate the degradation of buildings and infrastructure. This is subsequently expected to add to the operating costs of schemes. Exposure to extreme weather induces weathering in the scheme’s fabric which then requires proactive planning to avoid unexpected costly damage.

A scheme that has been designed for durability and resilience will feature inherently durable material against its degradation modes. This in turn, reduces the need for replacement and repairs over the scheme’s lifecycle. Durability is accomplished through prioritisation of durable material in construction and refurbishment, as well as proactive identification of vulnerable elements which will require design-level protection and padding.

ADW Developments has expertise in conducting Durability and Resilience studies for the built environment. Our study addresses deterioration concerns arising from climate change through a systemic study of local climatic conditions and future trends. It also identifies degradation concerns arising from operational wear and tear considerate of the scheme’s unique operational needs and environment, and optimal padding of vulnerable elements at the design level. Our study provides evidence-based recommendations that can be included in the scheme’s design.