Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
4.2.2 Adaptable and Flexible Design for Future Needs
Changes characterizing our society include an ageing population, urban migra-
tion, our lifestyle and work (UNDP
2013
). These often make traditional building
approaches obsolete.
The existing building stock cannot totally satisfy the changed needs and new
projects ask for careful valuations and new operating tools. To face the change, a
feasible solution is to introduce in an architectural project the requisite of flexibil-
ity: i.e. to realize adaptive buildings, or buildings that can modify their characteris-
tics according to changing boundary conditions.
If some classes of buildings can be expected to have a long useful life, other
classes may have moderate rates of adaptation because of social and technical
change (e.g. housing, schools, and industrial buildings) and others (office, commer-
cial and health care facilities) are experiencing a fast change. Adjustments to exist-
ing buildings in order to accommodate new functions or technical systems can be
disruptive and wasteful. Lessons from these experiences of adapting existing stock
are beginning to find use in the design of new, adaptable buildings. This implies
the development of innovative design and construction methods, new products, new
regulatory and financing schemes and new performance assessment tools.
A design based on the adaptability and flexibility concept makes it possible to
continue using the building even if needs have changed: this is the
loose fit, long
life
concept, that aims at the maximum reuse of the structural components of the
building—structural frames and floor slab embody, on average, 50 % of the grey
energy of a building (Hegger et al.
2008
).
Compared to the high profile nature of low carbon design, adaptability (to mean
adaptable design) is still a minor agenda, being confined mainly to academic study
and application in limited case studies (Grinnell et al.
2011
).
For buildings to be adaptable they should be able to accommodate substantial
changes. As most buildings are designed for a considerable lifespan it is inevitable
that changes will be required. This is especially valid in relation to building mate-
rials and services which are developing all the time. A building that is adaptable
will be utilized more efficiently and may stay in service longer as it can respond to
change at a lower cost. A longer service life may in turn translate to a better envi-
ronmental performance over its lifecycle.
Innovative solutions are required to ensure that new buildings are flexible and
adaptable to future change.
The following points illustrate the strategies for adaptive/flexible buildings.
• Structural eficiency of buildings can be increased by using frames, braced in
a proper way, usually in steel or wood. The embodied energy of such solutions
is lower than massive brick/concrete or concrete frames and this also allows to
save money and materials for foundations. Steel or wood frame structures can
be reused/recycled in the future.
• Fixed parts like staircases, balconies, ramps, can be located outside the inhabited
box. If this is made in a steel/wood frame system, it will allow a great flexibility
