“Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.”
Eleanor Roosevelt’s famous quote rings true when one considers the many failures and resulting lessons learned in the history of architecture, engineering and design. There are some lessons best learned from the mistakes of past designers, thereby avoiding making our own. For example:
- Always calculate the weight the structure will hold.
- Making and building on a solid foundation is vital.
- Always consider environmental factors like wind and weather
These lessons and others are revealed in the New School of Architecture and Design’s clever infographic, “Failure By Design,” which looks at the 8 biggest design failures in history. The infographics looks at mistakes made with the Roman Findenae Amphitheatre, The Tower of Pisa, and more recently, the John Hancock Tower and many other iconic structures throughout history.
Read the full post by Cannon Design's Cynthia Hilliers on the Cannon Design Blog
More from Author
CannonDesign | Jan 3, 2024
Designing better built environments for a neurodiverse world
For most of human history, design has mostly considered “typical users” who are fully able-bodied without clinical or emotional disabilities. The problem with this approach is that it offers a limited perspective on how space can positively or negatively influence someone based on their physical, mental, and sensory abilities.
CannonDesign | Oct 23, 2023
Former munitions plant reimagined as net-zero federal workplace
The General Services Administration (GSA) has embraced adaptive reuse with Building 48, an exciting workplace project that sets new precedents for how the federal government will approach sustainable design.
CannonDesign | Aug 22, 2023
How boldly uniting divergent disciplines boosts students’ career viability
CannonDesign's Charles Smith and Patricia Bou argue that spaces designed for interdisciplinary learning will help fuel a strong, resilient generation of students in an ever-changing economy.
CannonDesign | Jul 10, 2023
The latest pediatric design solutions for our tiniest patients
Pediatric design leaders Julia Jude and Kristie Alexander share several of CannonDesign's latest pediatric projects.
CannonDesign | May 11, 2023
Let's build toward a circular economy
Eric Corey Freed, Director of Sustainability, CannonDesign, discusses the values of well-designed, regenerative buildings.
CannonDesign | Apr 10, 2023
4 ways designers can help chief heat officers reduce climate change risks
Eric Corey Freed, Director of Sustainability, CannonDesign, shares how established designers and recently-emerged chief heat officers (CHO) can collaborate on solutions for alleviating climate change risks.
CannonDesign | Mar 9, 2023
5 laboratory design choices that accelerate scientific discovery
Stephen Blair, director of CannonDesign's Science & Technology Practice, identifies five important design strategies to make the most out of our research laboratories.
CannonDesign | Feb 9, 2023
3 ways building design can elevate bold thinking and entrepreneurial cultures
Mehrdad Yazdani of CannonDesign shares how the visionary design of a University of Utah building can be applied to other building types.
CannonDesign | Jan 9, 2023
How modular solutions can help address skyrocketing construction costs
Modular builder Joshua Mensinger details three ways modular solutions aid in lowering construction costs.
CannonDesign | Dec 9, 2022
What's old is new: Why you should consider adaptive reuse
While new construction allows for incredible levels of customization, there’s no denying that new buildings can have adverse impacts on the climate, budgets, schedules and even the cultural and historic fabrics of communities.
