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A Criteria- and Case Study-Based Approach to Evaluate Adaptability in Buildings Cover

A Criteria- and Case Study-Based Approach to Evaluate Adaptability in Buildings

Architecture, Civil Engineering, Environment
Volume 17 (2024): Issue 2 (June 2024)
By: Hatice OZLER and  Basak GUCYETER  
Open Access
|Jan 2025

Figures & Tables

Figure 1.

Principle of Levels (Source: Authors. Adopted from Open Building Research Group, TU Delft, [50])
Principle of Levels (Source: Authors. Adopted from Open Building Research Group, TU Delft, [50])

Figure 2.

The shearing layers approach (Source: Authors. Adopted from [46])
The shearing layers approach (Source: Authors. Adopted from [46])

Figure 3.

The methodological framework of the study (Source: Authors)
The methodological framework of the study (Source: Authors)

Figure 4.

Histogram/Pareto diagram for the frequency distribution of the identified adaptability strategies (Source: Authors)
Histogram/Pareto diagram for the frequency distribution of the identified adaptability strategies (Source: Authors)

Figure 5.

Histogram/Pareto diagram for the frequency distribution of the identified adaptability parameters (Source: Authors)
Histogram/Pareto diagram for the frequency distribution of the identified adaptability parameters (Source: Authors)

Figure 6.

Frequency of physical attributes of buildings within the scope of adaptability strategies (Source: Authors)
Frequency of physical attributes of buildings within the scope of adaptability strategies (Source: Authors)

Figure 7.

The layers that augment the adaptability characteristics of the Schröder House (Source: Authors)
The layers that augment the adaptability characteristics of the Schröder House (Source: Authors)

Figure 8.

The overall adaptability score and strategy scores of the Schröder House (Source: Authors)
The overall adaptability score and strategy scores of the Schröder House (Source: Authors)

Figure 9.

The Farnsworth House (Source: Author, Basak Gucyeter)
The Farnsworth House (Source: Author, Basak Gucyeter)

Figure 10.

The layers that augment the adaptability characteristics of the Farnsworth House (Source: Authors)
The layers that augment the adaptability characteristics of the Farnsworth House (Source: Authors)

Figure 11.

The overall adaptability score and the adaptability strategy scores of the Farnsworth House (Source: Authors)
The overall adaptability score and the adaptability strategy scores of the Farnsworth House (Source: Authors)

Figure 12.

Layers that augment the adaptability characteristics of the Genter Strasse (Source: Authors)
Layers that augment the adaptability characteristics of the Genter Strasse (Source: Authors)

Figure 13.

The overall adaptability score and the adaptability strategy scores of the Genter Strasse houses (Source: Authors)
The overall adaptability score and the adaptability strategy scores of the Genter Strasse houses (Source: Authors)

Figure 14.

Layers that augment the adaptability characteristics of the Quinta Monroy Housing (Source: Authors)
Layers that augment the adaptability characteristics of the Quinta Monroy Housing (Source: Authors)

Figure 15.

The overall adaptability score and the strategy scores of the Quinta Monroy Housing (Source: Authors)
The overall adaptability score and the strategy scores of the Quinta Monroy Housing (Source: Authors)

Figure 16.

Layers that augment the adaptability characteristics of Het SchetsBlok (Source: Authors)
Layers that augment the adaptability characteristics of Het SchetsBlok (Source: Authors)

Figure 17.

The overall adaptability score and the strategy scores of the Het SchetsBlok (Source: Authors)
The overall adaptability score and the strategy scores of the Het SchetsBlok (Source: Authors)

Figure 18.

Comparison of percentage scores of individual adaptability strategies and the overall adaptability scores (Source: Authors)
Comparison of percentage scores of individual adaptability strategies and the overall adaptability scores (Source: Authors)

Distribution of adaptability parameters across 19 studies, adopted from [14]

Sources
LayersParameters[86][67][87][15][7][2][76][81][39][88][59][65][72][89][13][79][57][78][90]Total
LocationLocation/accessibility/orientation/proximity xx x xx x x7
StructureBuilding dimensions and height x x x x x x xx x9
Structural design/slabs/loads x xx xx x xxxxxxxx14
Floor heightx x xxxx xx xxx x12
Technical span x x xx x xxxxxx11
Core/vertical circulationxx xxx xx xx x x11
LayoutPlan organizationxx xxxx x x x xxxxx14
Circulation (horizontal)x xx x 4
Plan depth x x x x x 5
Partitions/walls x x x x xx x 7
ServicesService spaces x x xxxx xxx x 10
Mechanical, electrical, IT, and HVAC installationsxx xx xxx x 8
Fire safety design x x xx x 5
EnvelopeEnvelope designxx xxx x x x x x10
ElementsConnection types xx x xx x 6
Selection and availability of building elements/standard/prefabricated/product family/Plug-and-play construction elements x xx x 4
ReinforcementsFurnishings/stackable and movable units/non-fixed objects xx x 3

Weighted scores of the associated adaptability strategies and parameters (kstrategy x kparameter)

Strategies
LayersParametersPhysical AttributesFlexibility/Versatility 1.06P]Expandability/Scalability [0.95P]Dismantlability/Separability [0.70P]Movability/Mobility [0.65P]Overcapacity/Redundancy [0.55P]Convertibility [0.45P]Reusable/Recyclable [0.45P]Independence [0.40P]Modularity [0.40P]Refitability [0.30P]Sub-parameter Score
LocationLocation/accessibility/orientation/proximity [0.50P]Low-density 0.48 0.23 0.71
Structure
Building dimensions and height [0.64P]Low-rise 0.29 0.29
High-rise 0.350.29 0.64
Structural design/slabs/loads [1.00P]Steel1.060.950.700.650.55 0.450.400.400.305.46
Reinforced Concrete1.06 0.40 1.46
Prefabricated Concrete1.06 0.700.65 0.450.400.400.303.96
Increased load-bearing capacity 0.95 0.550.45 1.95
Dry connections 0.950.70 0.450.40 0.302.80
Floor height [0.86P]fh < 3 m0.91 0.91
3 m fh < 5m0.91 0.39 1.30
fh 5 m0.911.01 0.470.39 2.78
Technical span [0.79P]ts < 6 m 0.00
ts 6 m0.840.75 0.430.36 2.38
Core/vertical circulation [0.79P]Centralized0.840.75 0.36 1.95
Steel structure stairs0.84 0.550.51 0.360.320.320.243.14
LayoutPlan organization [1.00P]Open plan1.06 0.45 0.40 1.91
Modular organization1.060.95 0.45 0.40 2.86
Standard size1.060.95 0.45 0.40 2.86
Multifunctional spaces1.06 0.45 0.40 1.91
Spatial Overcapacity1.06 0.45 2.06
Partitions/walls [0.50P]Movable/Rearrangeable0.530.48 0.23 0.200.20 1.97
Fixed0.530.48 0.23 0.20 0.151.59
ServicesService spaces [0.71P]Raised floors0.75 0.32 0.280.280.212.80
Suspended ceilings0.75 0.32 0.280.280.212.80
Shafts0.750.67 0.32 0.28 0.212.62
Mechanical. electrical. IT. and HVAC installations [0.57P]Natural0.60 0.26 0.86
Mechanical0.60 0.26 0.86
Hybrid0.600.54 0.26 1.40
EnvelopeEnvelope design [0.71P]Double skin facades0.750.67 0.32 0.280.28 2.30
Modular/panel systems0.750.67 0.320.320.280.280.213.33
Independent0.75 0.320.320.28 0.212.38
Universal0.75 0.32 0.32
Irregular0.75 0.32 1.07
TOTAL21.8411.264.653.063.298.812.354.83.242.3465.63

Example studies that interpreted Brand’s shearing layers approach [46]

Duffy [55]Brand [46]Slaughter, Sause, and Pessiki [56]Ashbolt [57]Abdullah and Al-Alwan [58]
Site Site
StructureStructureStructureStructure
ShellSkinEnclosureSkinOutfit
ServicesServicesServiceServicesServices
Circulation
ScenerySpace PlanSpatial/FunctionalSpace PlanInfill
SetsStuff StuffInterior
Ambient

Scoring of the case studies based on the weighted adaptability strategies and parameters

LayersParametersPhysical AttributesThe Scröder House Gerrit Rietveld 1925The Farnsworth House Mies van der Rohe 1951Genter Strasse Otto Steidle & Partner 1972Quinta Monroy Alejandro Aravena 2003Het SchetsBlok ANA Architecten 2018
LocationLocation/accessibility/orientation/proximityLow-density0.710.710.710.710.71
StructureBuilding dimensions and heightLow-rise0.290.290.290.29
High-rise 0.64
Structural design/slabs/loadsSteel5.465.46
Reinforced Concrete1.461.46 1.461.46
Prefabricated Concrete 3.96
Increased load-bearing capacity 1.951.951.95
Dry connections 2.80
Floor heightfh < 3 m 0.91
3 m ≤ fh < 5m1.301.301.30 1.30
fh ≥ 5 m
Technical spants < 6 m 0.000.00
ts ≥ 6 m2.382.38 2.38
Core/vertical circulationCentralized1.95 1.951.951.95
Steel structure stairs 3.143.14
LayoutPlan organizationOpen plan1.911.91 1.911.91
Modular organization 2.862.862.862.86
Standard size 2.862.86
Multifunctional spaces1.911.91 1.91
Spatial Overcapacity 2.062.062.06
Partitions/wallsMovable/Rearrangeable1.97 1.971.97
Fixed1.591.591.591.591.59
ServicesService spacesRaised floors
Suspended ceilings2.802.80
Shafts2.62 2.62 2.62
Mechanical. electrical. IT. and HVAC installationsNatural0.860.860.860.860.86
Mechanical
Hybrid
EnvelopeEnvelope designDouble skin facades 2.30
Modular/panel systems3.33 3.33 3.33
Independent2.382.382.382.382.38
Universal0.320.320.320.320.32
Irregular 1.071.071.07
TOTAL33.2426.2333.6730.2031.71

Distribution of adaptability strategies across 33 studies based on [14]

Sources
Strategies[67][68][39][12][69][65][70][71][72][73][58][26][74][57][19][15][75][17][6][76][77][5][78][79][80][66][81][2][82][21][83][84][85]Total
Generality x x 2
Flexibility/Versatility xxxx xxx xxx xxxxxxxxx xx21
Expendability/Scalability xxx xxxx x xxxxxxxxxxxx 19
Convertibility x x xx x xxx x 9
Dismantlability/Separability x x x xx xxx xxx xxx 14
Prefabrication/Standardizationx x x xx 5
Overcapacity/Redundancyx x x xxxxxx xx 11
Movability/Mobilityx xx x x x xx xxxxx 13
Rearrangeablex x xx 4
Reusable/Recyclable x x x x x x xxx x 9
Refitability x xxxxx 6
Multifunctionality x x xx x 5
Integratable x x 2
Universality x x xx 4
Modularity x x x x x x xx 8
Ejectable x xx 3
Exchangeable x xx xx 5
Customization x x2
Upgrading x xx x4
Variability/Variety x x x3
Zonable xx 2
Availability xxx 3
Adjustability xx xx 4
Durability/Robustness x xx x 3
Accessibility xxx x 4
Simplicity xx 2
Independence x x xxx xxx 8
Collective-Individual xx 2
Central-Decentral xx 2
Shapeable xx 2
Automation x x 2
Alterable xx 2
Predictability xx 2
Affordability x 1
Segmentability x1
Mendability x 1
Replaceability x 1
Inspectability x 1
Suitability x 1
Reliability x 1
Ductless x 1
Intelligent x 1
Responsiveness x 1
Commonality x 1
Malleability x 1
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/acee-2024-0011 | Journal eISSN: 2720-6947 | Journal ISSN: 1899-0142
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Language: English
Page range: 1 - 32
Submitted on: May 10, 2023
Accepted on: Jun 28, 2024
Published on: Jan 10, 2025
Published by: Silesian University of Technology
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 4 issues per year
Keywords:
Building adaptability,
Strategies, Parameters,
Criteria-based evaluation,
Case study
Related subjects:
Architecture and design,
Architecture,
Architects, buildings

© 2025 Hatice OZLER, Basak GUCYETER, published by Silesian University of Technology
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

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