Architectural flexibility: an evolution towards a more flexible architecture

Abstract

How can architects redefine the way we design and construct buildings? Currently, buildings are too restrictive and do not allow for the ease of flexibility and/or change. The main reasons for the inflexibility of current construction methods are columns and structural walls, they prevent us from rearranging the spaces and buildings as needed. When it comes time to modify and remodel buildings and spaces architects and designers are constrained; These constrains do not allow for the liberty of creating new designs and spaces where many people could use, since they are predetermined by the existing architecture. The way designers can fix that is by asking themselves how can architects, engineers, and designers design a flexible building approach that supports the evolving needs of tenants, users and future change, and how can flexible building systems impact and change the environment we live in? Exploring the ways architecture has evolved, will help architects and designers better understand the way we live, how construction and design changes over time have improved our lifestyles and how can we make them better. Through investigative research, design analysis, design, and manufacturing, architects can better understand how to design flexible buildings that will allow for changes to be made and permit accommodations for the future to come. In this thesis we will explore a way to create buildings with a higher grade of flexibility, allowing for the adaptability of spaces depending on the user’s needs. This thesis will not only talk about flexibility in the sense of adaptability, but also in the sense of reusability, and sustainability to encompass the needs of the future within architecture. To allow for that to happen I have come up with The Five Rules Towards A More Flexible Architecture. (1. External Structure 2. Fully Open/Flexible Interiors 3. Flexible Systems 4. Reusability 5. Sustainable/Environmentally Friendly) These rules will be further explained later in this thesis.