MIT Students Explore the Lifespan of Buildings

New exhibition examines the factors that determine architectural longevity

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:07am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A bold, geometric abstract painting in muted earth tones, depicting a complex system of interconnected shapes and spirals that represent the various forces and elements that determine a building's lifespan.An abstract visualization of the intricate web of factors that shape the longevity of the built environment, as explored in the MIT exhibition on architectural aging.Cambridge Today

A new exhibition at MIT's Wiesner Student Art Gallery, titled "Come Back and Tell Me Why Things Last," explores the practicalities and emotional resonances of architectural aging. The exhibition is the result of a three-year investigation by architecture students Lauren Gideonse and Adriana Giorgis, who traveled across the United States to study houses over 100 years old and uncover the stories behind their longevity.

Why it matters

The exhibition aims to encourage more sustainable practices in architecture and construction by highlighting how the lifespan of a building is shaped by factors like mortgage duration, construction protocols, material strategies, and cultural values. By exploring site-specific narratives, the students hope to provide a 'moment of pause' in the cycle of demolition and rebuilding, and inspire viewers to consider how building resources can be best utilized.

The details

Gideonse and Giorgis planned two road trips to study American houses built between 200 and 250 years ago, traveling from Cambridge, Massachusetts to the American frontier and down the Mississippi River to New Orleans, then up through the Gulf Coast and Appalachia. They encountered diverse approaches to construction based on available materials and vernacular tradition, such as tabby concrete made from oyster shells and the French poteaux-en-terre system. Along the way, they spoke with homeowners, stewards, maintenance technicians, and local engineers, gathering unexpected gifts and insights.

  • The exhibition will be on view at the Wiesner Student Art Gallery from September 22 to November 9, 2023.
  • The opening reception will be held on October 13, 2023 at 5:00pm.

The players

Lauren Gideonse

A Master of Architecture student at MIT who co-created the exhibition.

Adriana Giorgis

A Master of Architecture student at MIT who co-created the exhibition.

Brandon Clifford

An Associate Professor at MIT who challenged Gideonse and Giorgis to consider how the contemporary built environment relates to larger time scales.

Caroline A. Jones

A Professor at MIT who led the Transmedia Storytelling Initiative, which enabled Gideonse and Giorgis to embark on their road trips.

Boston Building Resources

A non-profit organization that provides residents in Roxbury with affordable construction materials to preserve their houses, where Gideonse and Giorgis worked as research partners.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The title reflects our emphasis on site-specific narratives and the emotional resonances of why certain buildings last.”

— Adriana Giorgis, Co-creator of the exhibition

“The map we developed naturally brought us as far as Saint Louis, to the edge of the American frontier as it was in the late 18th century.”

— Lauren Gideonse, Co-creator of the exhibition

What’s next

The exhibition will remain on view at the Wiesner Student Art Gallery until November 9, 2023, providing visitors with the opportunity to explore the factors that determine a building's lifespan and the importance of sustainable practices in architecture and construction.

The takeaway

This exhibition highlights the need for a more holistic and responsible approach to the built environment, where the longevity and adaptability of buildings are prioritized over the cycle of demolition and rebuilding. By sharing the stories and experiences of long-standing structures, the students aim to inspire viewers to consider the emotional and practical value of preserving and repurposing existing buildings.