Multiple design approaches to transformable building: case studies

Buildings that are constructed and refurbished in a transformable way can be altered easily and meet the demands of changing users or standards. Moreover, since transformability enables the reuse and recycling of buildings and their components, life cycle analysis has proven that it is a more sustainable strategy to build than those that are currently used. Based on an extensive literature study, an analytical framework on transformable building is briefly presented in the introduction of this paper.

In order to validate the presented framework and extend it into an applicable design advice, two architectural projects are explored. The framework allowed a comprehensive analysis of both cases, their design concepts and design process, and revealed their ability to deal with predictable and unpredictable change as well as shortcomings. Moreover, these case studies demonstrated that the relation between particular design concepts and the rather general aspects of the analytical framework is not unambiguous.

In order to promote transformable building because of its sustainability, a comprehensive design advice concerning 'partially transformable building' is proposed. Like both cases, partially transformable buildings find a balance between transformability and durability or versatility. In order to assist in finding that balance, two acknowledged decision tools, 'bandwidth' and 'time horizon' are adopted.