Why are buildings not built in such a way that it is difficult and expensive to demolish?

Buildings are generally designed with a focus on functionality, cost-effectiveness, and safety, rather than on making them difficult or expensive to demolish. Here are several reasons why this approach is common:

**Economic Considerations**: Builders and developers aim to maximize return on investment. Designing buildings that are difficult or costly to demolish could significantly increase initial construction costs, making projects less financially viable.

**End of Life Planning**: Many buildings are not meant to stand indefinitely. The construction industry often operates under the assumption that buildings will eventually be demolished or renovated. Designing for easier demolition can facilitate future urban development and land use.

**Sustainability and Recycling**: The trend in modern architecture is increasingly geared towards sustainability, including the reuse and recycling of materials. Rather than making buildings tough to demolish, efforts are focused on how materials can be salvaged or repurposed at the end of a building's lifecycle.

**Regulatory Requirements**: Building codes and zoning laws typically do not mandate that structures be built to resist demolition. Regulations often focus on aspects like structural safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility.

**Flexibility in Design**: Many buildings are planned with modifications in mind, allowing for renovations or expansions. This flexibility is often favored over building structures with permanence in mind, which would limit future development possibilities.

**Historical and Cultural Context**: In some cases, buildings of significant cultural or historical importance are preserved rather than demolished. However, most contemporary structures are designed with the expectation that they will eventually be replaced or updated.

**Technological Limitations**: Creating buildings that are intentionally difficult to demolish may require materials or construction techniques that are currently impractical or not widely adopted in the industry.

Ultimately, the design and construction of buildings are often a balance of various factors, with cost, practical use, and future adaptability being primary considerations over making demolition inherently difficult or expensive.