Transformable Design
Design and Research.
Master Thesis submitted on the 29.05.2015 (Brussels)
Under the supervision of Prof. Laurent Ney and Prof. Niels De Temmerman in order to be awarded the Master's Degree in Architectural Engineering
Design and Research.
Master Thesis submitted on the 29.05.2015 (Brussels)
Under the supervision of Prof. Laurent Ney and Prof. Niels De Temmerman in order to be awarded the Master's Degree in Architectural Engineering
Design: Portfolio
Research: “Analysing the transformability degree in Design for Change”
"Analysing the transformability degree in Design for Change”
Resume
In a world where sustainability is a growing concern, it seems a necessity that architectural engineering engages on the same path. Our current dynamic society evolves faster and faster resulting in a changing context. Moreover, the climate change influences the face of the planet and modifies the building sites environment. Therefore, sustainable design for change should be implemented at different levels and at every phase of the building’s lifecycle, with a long-term perspective. Design for change is a ‘‘design and construction strategy based on the principle that the built environment will always change; the aim is to create buildings that support change more efficiently’’ (Galle, W. and Herthogs, P., 2014). This means to implement transformable design in architecture with the objective that it should lead to adaptable constructions that may last a long time, while remaining fully useful and adequate in the contemporary environment.
Nowadays, two kinds of ‘‘transformable design’’ are generally considered and implemented: retrofitting and versatility. Retrofitting consists in the renovation and transformation of existing buildings to fulfil new requirements while versatility is the functional and modular transformation that enables to change the function of a space or a building during the timespan of its use. This vision lacks to think of transformability as the possibility for a design to be adaptable for the future. In other words, design for change.
This research challenges the question: “How to assess the transformability of a building considering long term perspective?”
Based on guidelines jointly developed by OVAM and the TRANSFORM Research Team within the VUB æ-lab, a new methodology has been developed to review projects under the scope of transformability. This methodology – named the Dynamic Design Matrix (DDM) – encompasses twenty-three interrelated criteria that should be used to evaluate the transformability of the building. Each criterion has been graded on a scale of three (from not implemented, partially implemented to implemented). The DDM has been tested through the analysis of three Belgian-located projects.
The analysis resulted first in the elaboration of a descriptive dynamic review and a Dynamic Design Profile (DDP) for the three projects. Secondly, a critical review of the criteria has been done in order to make sound recommendations to bridge the gap between theory and practice in transformable design.
Developing an assessment tool will never be a guarantee for sustainable design but developing guidelines that take the context (site and time) into account, such as is the case for the dynamic design matrix, would help designers to accurately design for change or to assess the potential for transformation of an existing building. In the long run, this tool could also allow them to better communicate the essence of their work. By sharing the design process, future transformation is eased since the project will be understandable in detail by people even if the original designer would no longer be there. By doing so, the designer thinks of the longevity of his project and prepares for the future. No one can predict the future but one should prepare for it.
Keywords: transformability, time-based, long-term, dynamic design matrix, guidelines.
TRANSFORM Research, VUB. Online article
