Developing Adaptable Architecture: Theory and Practice

Adaptable Architecture provides thought-provoking and inquisitive insights into how we can prolong the useful life of buildings by designing them to be more adaptable, and hence create a more sustainable built environment. The book provides a theoretical foundation counterpointed by the experiences and ideas of those involved in the design and use of buildings. It explains many approaches to designing for change, with lessons from history, and case studies including The Cedar Rapids Public Library, Kentish Town Health Centre and Folkestone Performing Arts Centre, which stretch our thinking beyond the conventional notions of adaptability. The authors reveal the many conditions that make it a complex design phenomenon, by considering the purpose, design and business case of buildings as well as the physical product. Full of summaries, diagrams, reference charts, tables, and photos of exemplar solutions for use as conversational tools or working aids, this book is for any professional or student who wants to research, question, imagine, illustrate - and ultimately design for - adaptation. In addition, further information and resources are available through the Adaptable Futures website (http://www.adaptablefutures.com) www.adaptablefutures.com which includes additional case studies, videos, information about industry events and up-to-the-minute developments. Cover Title Copyright Dedication Contents List of figures List of tables Preface Acknowledgements Part I Introduction 1. Motivating observations 1.1 Unravelling the ‘what’ 1.2 Clarifying the ‘why’ 1.3 Expanding the ‘how’ Part II A history of adaptability 2. Historical overview 2.1 Prehistoric and pre-modernism 2.2 Modernism 3. Strands of designing for adaptability 3.1 Spatial Loose fit Open plan Spatial summary 3.2 Physical bits Industrialised architecture Kinetic architecture ‘Unfinished’ design Component design and capacity summary 3.3 Building configuration Levels Layers Systems design Building configuration summary Part III A theory for adaptability 4. Developing the concept 4.1 Defining the word 4.2 Time 4.3 Unpacking change: recognising the demand 4.4 A building: what is it? 4.5 Context: situating the building 4.6 Concepts summary 5. Common takes on adaptability 5.1 Level of specificity: tight fit vs. loose fit 5.2 Strategic focus: technology-driven vs. planning-driven 5.3 Object of adaptability: building-centric vs. human-centric 6. Buildings as layers 6.1 Layer definitions 6.2 Influence of change on the layers 6.3 Understanding dependency: DSM explained 6.4 Cellophane House, part I: clustering analysis 7. A typology of adaptability 7.1 AT1 – Adjustable 7.2 AT2 – Versatile 7.3 AT3 – Refitable 7.4 AT4 – Convertible 7.5 AT5 – Scalable 7.6 AT6 – Movable 7.7 Occurrence of the types 7.8 Cellophane House, part II: impact analysis Example scenario Implications of analysis 8. Design strategies, characteristics and tactics 8.1 Design strategies 8.2 Building characteristics 8.3 Design tactics 8.4 Relationship between strategies, characteristics and tactics 9. Building characteristics in detail 9.1 Descriptions DS1 Modularity DS2 Design ‘in’ time DS3 Long life DS4 Simplicity and legibility DS5 Loose fit DS6 Spatial planning DS7 Passive techniques DS8 Unfinished design DS9 Maximise building use DS10 Increase interactivity DS11 Aesthetics DS12 Multiple scales 9.2 Relationship of CARs to building layers 9.3 Links between CARs and adaptability types 10. Unravelling contextual contingencies 10.1 Stakeholders Client mindset Architect mindset End users Other stakeholders Culture 10.2 Rules Building regulations Taxation Heritage protection Planning regulations Industry standards 10.3 Phases Fragmentation Brief(ing) Procurement Management Occupation 10.4 Economics Business models Valuation practices Market forces Funding methods Risk 11. Design resources 11.1 Design guidelines Components Component relationships Spaces Spatial relationships 11.2 Critical (design) parameters 11.3 Scenario planning 11.4 Other time-based resources 11.5 Benefit mapping 11.6 Evaluation tools 11.7 Other resources 12. Meta-models 12.1 Adaptability types, layers and stakeholders 12.2 Framecycle 12.3 Sources of know-how 12.4 Design process 12.5 Causal links 12.6 Cost certainty 12.7 Pathways 12.8 Summary Part IV Adaptability in practice 13. Linking theory to case studies 13.1 Design strategies and building characteristics 13.2 Linking adaptability types 14. Primary case studies A1 Kentish Town Health Centre A2 85 Southwark Street A3 Folkstone Performing Arts Centre A4 Cedar Rapids Public Library A5 PS340 Manhattan A6 Dato Onn International Medical City A7 Bio Innovation Centre A8 Carl Jacobsens vej A9 Islington Square A10 The Cube A11 Oxley Woods A12 CPC A13 The King’s School Theatre A14 Vodafone Headquarters A15 Kettering Old Persons Unit 15. Designing for adaptability B1 Industrial Democratic Design B2 An adaptable building app B3 An emporium for education B4 Leicester Waterside B5 Adapt and survive B6 An approach to adaptability B7 Adaptability through hybridity B8 Ad hoc urbanism B9 The adaptable primary school B10 Adaptable apertures 16. Designing for adaptable futures C1 New Addington’s Village Green C2 Adaptable Street C3 Factory Home C4 Designing for Sport C5 How to grow a city C6 Inside and out of the box C7 In response Part V Conclusions 17. A living thing 17.1 A manifesto for adaptability Proposition 1 – We need a broadened scope for adaptability Proposition 2 – Adaptability is context specific Proposition 3 – Adaptability is supported by simplicity and familiarity Proposition 4 – Adaptability stresses process over product Proposition 5 – Industry’s short-termism hinders adaptability 17.2 Designing for adaptability in practice Glossary References Index There Is A Growing Recognition Of The Important Role That Adapting Existing Buildings Can Play In Achieving A More Sustainable Built Environment And Consequently The Need To Design Buildings To Be More Adaptable. However, Until Now There Has Been No Concise Handbook That A Wide Variety Of Stakeholders Can Quickly Reference In Order To Better Understand And Implement Adaptability In Buildings. Developing Adaptable Architecture Provides Thought-provoking And Inquisitive Insights Into Adaptability While Remaining Practical In Its Approach. It Is A Compact Reference Book Full Of Essential Information When Questioning, Imagining, Or Illustrating Adaptability – From New Designs To Existing Buildings. The Book Is Conveniently Formatted Into Two Parts: A Written Perspective And A Visual Perspective Which Is Full Of Summaries, Diagrams, Drawings, Reference Charts, Tables, And Photos Of Exemplar Solutions For Use As Conversational Tools Or Working Aids. In Addition, An Easily Identifiable Section Is Provided As 'tools For Industry' Which Can Be Quickly Referenced By Users For Answers To Specific Questions. Further Information And Resources Are Also Available Through The Adaptable Futures Website Www.adaptablefutures.com Which Includes A Teaching Package, Promotional Video, Industry Events, And Other Up-to-the-minute Developments. The Book Provides A Number Of Lenses Into Adaptability, Stretching Thinking Beyond Normal Views That Are Expressed In A Project Environment. It Fosters Different Ways Of Thinking And Techniques For Appraising Our Long-term Building Assets. For Any Professional Or Student Within The Built Environment Considering An Adaptable Project, This Is A Book You Cannot Afford To Be Without. "Adaptable Architecture provides thought-provoking and inquisitive insights into how we can prolong the useful life of buildings by designing them to be more adaptable, and hence create a more sustainable built environment. The book provides a theoretical foundation counterpointed by the experiences and ideas of those involved in the design and use of buildings. It explains many approaches to designing for change, with lessons from history, and case studies including The Cedar Rapids Public Library, Kentish Town Health Centre and Folkestone Performing Arts Centre, which stretch our thinking beyond the conventional notions of adaptability. The authors reveal the many conditions that make it a complex design phenomenon, by considering the purpose, design and business case of buildings as well as the physical product. Full of summaries, diagrams, reference charts, tables, and photos of exemplar solutions for use as conversational tools or working aids, this book is for any professional or student who wants to research, question, imagine, illustrate - and ultimately design for - adaptation. In addition, further information and resources are available through the Adaptable Futures website www.adaptablefutures.com which includes additional case studies, videos, information about industry events and up-to-the-minute developments"-- Provided by publisher