1 research outputs found
The multispace adaptable building concept and its extension into mass customisation
UK government Policy Planning Guidance promotes optimum use of the existing building stock
through mixed use in urban centres and encourages conversion of redundant office and retail space
into leisure, service or residential uses. Whilst social pressures are evident in the push to more
effectively utilise existing building stock, new building stock also has to meet the commercial
requirements of the client, which often translates into maximum occupancy of the building. This is
encouraging greater innovation in the design of new buildings to allow change of use throughout the
structure’s lifetime. This paper describes the concepts surrounding an adaptable design for new
buildings, along with a review of factors influencing the mode of use. The major physical parameters
of storey height, building proximity, plan depth, structural design, services, fire safety, cladding and
noise abatement are evaluated in the context of adaptable building use.
In addition to improved building utilisation, the UK government has identified a weakness in the
productivity of the construction industry. The report ‘Rethinking Construction’ (Egan, 1998)
suggested that up to 80% of inputs into buildings are repeated and that parallels should be drawn with
the designing and planning of new cars in the automotive sector. This suggests that improvements in
quality, cost and delivery time of new structures could be achieved through mass-customisation
incorporating a significant element of pre-design