A properly designed concrete structure will include enough clear cover (that is the distance between the surface and the reinforcement) to avoid water reaching the reinforcement. It should also take precautions such as roofing to avoid water interacting with the concrete in the first place.

LEED certification includes a credit called "good bones" which recognizes that although exterior trends change, the concrete bulk of a building can be reused if kept in good condition. A new facade can completely rejuvinate an otherwise dated structure. Most concrete building construction focuses on creating large open floors with columns to provide the largest flexibility in floor plan.

An additional interesting trend I've been seeing in Chinese construction is the construction of structures with double the standard height between floors. These buildings can be finished with units with features such as high ceilings and loft spaces that most high-rise units cannot accommodate.