Does the Building I Design today Create a Better Tomorrow Once It Is Built?

Architecture has always been more than shelter. Every wall, window, and street corner carries weight. It frames how we move, interact, and imagine our lives. When I sit down with a blank sheet of paper or an empty Rhino file, one question lingers above all the sketches and details: does the building I am designing today create a better tomorrow once it is built?

This isn’t a simple question. It doesn’t ask if the building “looks good” or if it “meets code.” It asks us to look at architecture through the lens of long-term impact.

Beyond Today’s Needs

Buildings are often judged by how well they serve their immediate function. Does the classroom hold enough students? Does the apartment maximize rentable space? But tomorrow demands more from us. Climate change, urban density, affordability, and social equity mean that what we design today must respond to needs that haven’t yet arrived.

A better tomorrow comes from thinking beyond square footage. It means designing buildings that adapt, last, and reduce harm—structures that can bend with the needs of future generations rather than break under them.

The Human Scale

Architecture is experienced by people, not just drawn on plans. A building can uplift or diminish daily life. Does the project create light-filled, healthy environments? Does it invite connection instead of isolation? Does it acknowledge the neighborhood it belongs to, adding value rather than extracting it?

A building that creates a better tomorrow is one that fosters belonging. It’s not just about efficiency; it’s about dignity.

Environmental Responsibility

Perhaps the most urgent measure of “a better tomorrow” is environmental. Every building consumes energy and resources—yet it can also contribute to solutions. Thoughtful design reduces energy demand, incorporates renewable systems, and makes use of materials that don’t deplete future reserves.

The tomorrow we imagine depends on whether our buildings are part of the problem or part of the repair.

Legacy and Responsibility

Every architect contributes to a physical legacy. Decades from now, our projects will either be celebrated for their foresight or criticized for their shortsightedness. Asking “does this design create a better tomorrow?” forces us to pause in the rush of deadlines and remember why architecture matters in the first place.

The Answer in Progress

The truth is, there is no single answer. Every project is a test, every drawing a chance to build toward a future where design is not just a backdrop to life but a catalyst for it.

So the next time I face a new project, I will return to the question:
Does this building create a better tomorrow once it is built?
If the answer leans yes, even in small ways then the design is worth pursuing.