The Adaptable House

"The Adaptable House provides specific design approaches and techniques that facilitate flexible design - both on the inside and out. These principles make it simple to alter a dwelling's layout, demolish partitions or build new ones, upgrade heating systems, and change the locations of staircases."--BOOK JACKET.

Flexible housing is housing that can adjust to the changing needs of the user and accommodate new technologies as they emerge. Flexible Housing by Jeremy Till and Tatjana Schneider examines the past, present and future of this important subject through over 160 international examples. Specially commissioned plans, printed to scale, together with over 200 illustrations and diagrams provide fascinating detail and allow direct visual comparisons to be made. Combining history, theory and design the book explains the social and economic benefits that can be achieved and shows the various ways it has been and can be delivered. The book ends with an accessible guide to how flexible housing might be designed and constructed today to achieve adaptable and ultimately sustainable buildings. Housing designers, housing managers and students of architecture, construction and housing will find this book of immense value both as a comprehensive reference and design manual.

Contains both general and technical info. about adaptable housing and is intended for disabled and non-disabled people, builders, developers, managers, architects, product mfrs., gov't. officials, and building code officials. Explains adaptable features as specified in the nat'l. and fed. standards. Provides background info. on the development of adaptable design, and defines and explains adaptable housing. Includes extensive information methods, costs, and examples, especially kitchens and bathrooms. List and sources of available products. Photos and drawings.

Before discussing the research itself in greater depth, it is beneficial at this stage to introduce the background to the research. To do so, the chapter is divided into four parts. The first part of the chapter summarises terminologies associated with adaptability, and goes on to define and elaborate on the meaning of adaptability in this research study. The second part of this chapter defines mass housing; the development of mass housing and its problems are also illustrated. In the third part, as the key solution for addressing housing occupants’ requirements and accommodating changes, the importance of adaptability in improving overall housing quality, particularly from a social, financial, and environmental point of view, is outlined. The sustainability of adaptability is also discussed. Even though studies of adaptability have been developed structurally, functionally, technically and financially, adaptability still occupies a marginal position due to the production of mass housing. The final part of the chapter rethinks the notion of adaptability for mass housing. Factors of mass housing related to social, financial, technical and design issues and which address adaptability are explored. Lastly, it is revealed that the design aspect of adaptability is chosen as the research focus in this research study.

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.

Housing is rapidly having to adapt to the global changes of the twenty first century. These include the transformation of the family and the rise of the non-traditional household, increases in construction costs, and concerns over climate change and the depletion of natural resources. Designing residential environments that address these issues is an urgent priority. This book examines the latest residential design trends that have arisen in response to these challenges. Divided into four broad areas, tightly focused thematic chapters look at twenty discrete topics, such as live/work; adaptable housing; prefabrication; water efficiency; green roofs; and innovative landscaping. Each chapter includes an essay which lays out principles, methods and practices. Using text, drawings and photos from a variety of contemporary international practices, the book demonstrates how these ideas can be applied by architects. It offers a comprehensive collection of strategies and examples that will inspire a much needed housing revolution.