In a world of constant demolition and construction it becomes difficult to keep the close ties to what used to exist, and once something is gone physically many start to even forget it was ever there. Not only does the historical tie diminish, but pollution in the area increases due to the total deconstruction that occurs over and over again whenever someone wants to start anew. 

When the building has a strong connection to its past this allows for the public to learn from it and understand the community better. When the connection is lost then there is not really much of a deeper meaning as a whole. Some architects today focus solely on new innovations with structures and facades, which is amazing work in itself, but what if that same mindset was put to focus on improving what was already there. Building upon existing buildings and keeping the main aspects of what was there is not a new concept; however, it is something that should be done more when possible.

Look at the Kolumba Museum in Germany designed by Peter Zumthor, this building was created on top of a Gothic church that was destroyed during World War II. Zumthor kept what he could from the church and embedded it into his new design that allowed the church to be preserved. The museum now keeps the rich tie from that church allowing people to experience it in person along with the art from Roman Catholic Archdiocese’s collection.