Clockwise from top left: Marius’ cat, Luna*; Pau’s dogs, Shira and Dauntless; Veronica’s cat, Mushi; and Eric’s dog, Matilda.

By a show of paws (or hands) SUPERSTRUCTURES’ team members are proponents of “adopt, don’t shop” when it comes to pets. Here are just a few of the dogs and cats we’ve adopted. The same guiding principle can be applied to buildings.

Like animals in need of homes, existing buildings are worthy of adoption. Why? Because the embodied energy in existing buildings should be preserved, thereby saving the cost and waste of demolition and new construction. The greenest building is often the one that already exists.

Whatever their era or style, buildings also embody architectural history that’s irreplaceable—from 18th-century landmarks to modernist designs. Some 19th-century buildings are a unique blend of historical revival styles only found in that era. This could be likened to the unique mix of characteristics found only in mixed-breed pets and the hybrid vigor they often enjoy.

So, if you’re looking to add a dog or cat to your family, please consider adopting one of millions waiting for a forever home. And if you’re in the market for adding a building to your portfolio, consider “adopting” an existing one.

*Luna was named for Luna Park, the 20-building housing complex in Brooklyn where Marius found her as a kitten. Incidentally, Superstructures assisted with the rehabilitation of the complex and saved the client millions in the process.