When a big one hit, the building had a chance to survive. Later, we discovered that flexible frames, engineered to respond to the periodic stresses of an earthquake worked better than strength. Current plans include automatically adjusted shock absorbers that compensate for ground movements. Real-time damage monitoring also is possible, allowing early assessment of damage after earthquakes, explosions, or fire. Windows are also going to school now with promises that they will be intelligent in the next few years.
Most architects are aware of special glazing products for opaque or transparent finish.
Now, we have products with variable transparencies, which, with the help of a few sensors and an inexpensive computer, can change a window's appearance according to daylight, direct sunlight, and interior lighting. My optometrist told me that smart eyeglasses aren't too far off, either. Flexible lenses would automatically adjust for reading, for using a computer, or for driving. Buildings are definitely getting smarter - there is no doubt about that. But to take advantage of this reality, we need to make ourselves smarter, too.