003 Discussion: flexible_week two

Flexible:

• · Capable of bending easily without breaking - flexible rubber seals
• · Able to be easily modified to respond to altered circumstances or conditions - flexible forms of retirement
• · (of a person) Ready and able to change so as to adapt to different circumstances - you can save money if you're flexible about where your room is located

(Google Dictionary, 2011)

Flexible architecture can be seen to benefit Australia by improving the...

• · Footprint size (reduction)
• · Material use and waste
• · Longevity of buildings (altered for future needs)
• · Sustainability of a building as a whole

What does flexible mean? Is it elastic? Is it able to flex? Can it bend? When things are flexible the whole entity is altered, how would that work in architecture – to a physical form?

A capital has the potential to adapt to the needs of the user, allowing the spaces to manipulate accordingly.

One idea that was put forward was the idea of a flexible public space, such as a transportation hub. What if an airport was able to adjust in size according to the peak time? The spaces may be able to grow or shrink depending on the needs at that point in time, it could allow for shorter travel distances and save time for all of the users – increasing the productivity levels.

How can sensory elements be adjusted as flexible components? Can sound be controlled within different environments when necessary?

People are the activators of a space, spaces that promote change from user interaction will be the most successful spaces, as they will be ever-changing adjusting to the needs of the users.

Architecture should promote multiple uses within each of the rooms. For instance a building that appears to have only 3 uses yet it can be manipulated into 12.

An issue found within some city centres is that some of the buildings are used at only one part of the day, for example a night club is only used from 9pm-5am – what is it’s use throughout the other hours of the day – are they able to be flexible in such a way that it could be adjusted for different uses, whilst still keeping its character?

In terms of sustainability flexible architecture must be able to alter to the needs of the future users whilst still providing for the current users.

Flexible architecture should be flexible at different levels of scale; in terms of the buildings internal furniture, to the building itself and its exterior.

Four key aspects of flexible architecture can be broken down into

• · Adaptation – responding to different needs
• · Transformation – changes in appearance
• · Movability – changing the buildings form or internal features
• These all appear to tie into interaction from the users.