Frameworks for Assessment of Flexibility and Adaptability of New Buildings: Opportunities, Gaps and Limitations

Doreen Steven Mlote¹, Lynette Cheah², F. Peter Ortner¹

1. Singapore University of Technology and Design
2. University of the Sunshine Coast

Published in Proceedings of the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (SASBE 2024), edited by Ali GhaffarianHoseini, Amirhosein GhaffarianHoseini, Farzad Rahimian and Mahesh Babu Purushothaman. Springer Nature, Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, volume 591, 2025, pages 905 to 914. DOI 10.1007/978-981-96-4051-5_87.

Abstract

The underlying drive for sustainability in the industry has influenced the concept of designing adaptable buildings as a promising approach towards accommodating future changes. Adaptable buildings have the potential to allow changes in function and enable modification, repurposing, or upgrading, therefore extending their lifespan, reducing waste, and optimizing the utilization of construction materials. In an era where building demands continually evolve; the adaptability and flexibility of buildings serve as pivotal aspects in accommodating dynamic functionalities and emerging needs. This article discusses a selection of six existing frameworks and tools used to assess the adaptability of new buildings. The synthesis of these assessment methods has been based on grouping features of both qualitative and quantitative tools focusing on three main criteria: spatial flexibility, deconstructability, and load-bearing structural flexibility. The review highlighted the gaps and limitations and revealed opportunities for quantifying adaptability for buildings. Results demonstrate the absence of frameworks for early-stage design guidance, and the lack of assessment and validation methods, particularly for the structural adaptability of load-bearing components. Existing frameworks also lack assessment of environmental impact after the implementation of adaptable strategies. Future work should focus on creating a comprehensive assessment method for structural adaptability that embodies deconstructability and integrity of structural elements.

Keywords

Session

Presented in Recorded Presentations, Session II, Friday 8 November 2024, 16:30 to 19:00, room WG 201, Auckland University of Technology. Session chair Dr Kamal Dhawan.

How to Cite

Mlote, D. S., Cheah, L., & Ortner, F. P. (2025). Frameworks for Assessment of Flexibility and Adaptability of New Buildings: Opportunities, Gaps and Limitations. In A. GhaffarianHoseini, A. GhaffarianHoseini, F. Rahimian, & M. B. Purushothaman (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (SASBE 2024) (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, Vol. 591, pp. 905–914). Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4051-5_87

About the Conference

Presented at SASBE 2024, the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, held in Auckland from 7 to 9 November 2024 and chaired by Professors Ali and Amirhosein GhaffarianHoseini, founders of GDI Academy. The version of record is published by Springer Nature; this page is the conference archive record kept by GDI Academy.