Designing for Adaptability

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What is Adaptability?

The capacity for a building to accommodate effectively the evolving demands of its context, thus maximising its value through life.

"The ability to respond to change" (Gosling et al, 2013:46) or one that "has been designed with thought of how it might be easily altered to prolong its life" (Addis and Shouten, 2004:8)

The excess of definitions on adaptability has created confusion.

"Most buildings are designed to satisfy the needs of existing forms of use, they are rarely designed to meet future requirements (Gann & Barlow, 1996:65)

Advantages of Adaptability

Easy to make changes

Cheaper to make changes

Easy to sell

Fewer vacancies/rental voids

Less disruption to users

Reduction in material waste

Protect the asset

Good design/planning

Uncertainty about future

Long-term ownership

Previous experiences

Types of Adaptability

Adjustable (Task)

Versatile (Space)

Re-fittable (Performance)

Convertible (Function)

Scalable (Size)

Movable (Location)

Types of Adaptable Change

Change of task

Change of space

Change of performance

Change of function

Change of size

Change of location

How to Design for Adaptability

Building dependencies & surroundings.

Challenge convention

Use interchangeable components

Provide good physical access

Limit interactions between components

Use reversible physical connections.

Provide dormant capacity.

Maintain accurate design/construction records.

Use modular coordination.

Limit the size & weight of components.

Consider where & how components are divided.

Minimise the number of parts/reduce complexity.

Barriers to Adaptability

Lack of demand from developers, investors & end-users.

Additional costs

Short-term development models

Lack of price signals

Valuation practices

Discounting of future costs

Compromises first use

Disconnect between payer & beneficiary

Other considerations take priority

Lack of life cycle costing

Difficult to prove benefits

No legal obligation

Case Study - Supermarket to Low Energy Office

Disused supermarket building into sustainable council offices for Hampshire County.

Bennetts Associates architects and MACE project managers.

£4 million refurbishment.

Incorporates wind towers and roof lights to allow natural ventilation.

These features and retention of the building's existing structure minimise it's environmental impact.

Aims to achieve an B EPC Rating.

Exemplifies how a neglected building can be adapted into a cost-effective and imaginative space.

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