Architectural and building features disparity and preservation of structural and fabrics integrity

Purpose: This paper aims to identify and discuss those architectural and building features associated with certain faults and defects, and by implication, impact preservation of buildings' structural and fabrics integrity. Design/methodology/approach: Building condition survey and analysis was conducted. Findings: It was observed that the differing structural and fabrics integrity of these buildings overtime was connected most significantly to their different roofing styles and features. Research limitations/implications: Investigation was limited to two distinct buildings located on the same block at Hampton University, Virginia, USA. Practical implications: This finding underscores the importance of choosing and designing features of buildings with their operation, maintainability, and life-cycle preservation in mind, if structural and fabrics integrity must be maintained, and sustainability achieved, while restoration dollars are saved. Originality/value: Ilozor et al.'s building defects cause-effects model was applied in understanding the contributions of various architectural and building features to certain faults, defects or failures that impact the preservation of buildings' structural and fabrics integrity.