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What is Adaptable Design?
An adaptable design accommodates lifestyle changes without the need to demolish or substantially modify the existing structure and services." In some cases, haphazardly designed homes will oblige homeowners to change their residence due to life situations. For example, perhaps a two-story house may have bedrooms located only on the second story and a steep set of stairs. This layout will often mean that elderly couples will need to move to a home with easier bedroom access. Similarly, a smaller house that has only one room that can practically act as a bedroom will often force young couples to change homes once children come along.
On the other hand, adaptable homes are specifically designed so that a single space or room can cover several different functions and roles throughout the lifetime of the house. A room used as a home office during the first years of occupancy be converted into a child's bedroom, a teenager's private retreat space, a family study, or an extra bedroom for a guest during different periods.
Dr. Avi Friedman is a renowned architect and writer who advocates for flexible, adaptable home design. In his book, The Adaptable House, Dr. Friedman mentions that "a conflict exists between the dynamic nature of people's lives and the homes in which they choose to reside." Instead of trying to fit their lives to what their home design allows for, Dr. Friedman believes that "a close fit between the evolving space needs of occupants and their homes ought to be simpler."
So, adaptable home design should really be a central component in designing and constructing new homes, but it rarely is. A greater sense of adaptability can also be achieved after a home is complete through a series of thoughtful renovation strategies.
Adaptable design includes a wide range of approaches, considerations, and tactics. These include home dimensions, facades, interior design, surface finishes on interior walls, and individual rooms' functions. And, due to the climatic and environmental uncertainty in our future, adaptable design should also include considerations on how to make a home more resilient in the face of climate change and extreme weather events.
Factors to Be Considered When Using Adaptable Design for a Building or Renovation Project
Whether you are searching the market for your first home or are already an established homeowner looking to renovate, there are several considerations when implementing adaptable design.
Climate Change
Adaptable design also needs to consider how changing weather and climatic patterns might affect the future house structure. Incorporating resiliency strategies to protect the home from floods, wildfires, and other extreme weather events is essential. As global fossil-fuel reserves dwindle, all-electric homes will be strategically positioned to stay powered by emerging renewable energy technologies. Energy-efficient homes with exceptional thermal performance will also be better prepared to deal with weather extremes.
Bottom line
Building or renovating a home requires hundreds, if not thousands, of decisions. It's important for houses that will truly last a lifetime to think about design - adaptable design - at the outset.
Tobias Roberts
Tobias runs an agroecology farm and a natural building collective in the mountains of El Salvador. He specializes in earthen construction methods and uses permaculture design methods to integrate structures into the sustainability of the landscape.
