Liberating Access: Architecture as an open framework

The present MSc thesis is an architectural proposal for the redesign of building accessibility, aimed at creating adaptable architecture over time. Adaptability is understood as the measurable quality of a base building to accommodate a range of variations within the constraints of a proposed base structure. An extensive research comprising of...

The CE Meter: An instrument to assess the circular economy capacity of buildings

A direct connection can be made between adaptive building and sustainability (Wilkinson 2011). Market developments show increased demands by for flexibility and sustainability by users and owners as well as a growing understanding of the importance of a circular economy (Eichholtz 2009). Circular Economy (CE) is a rather recent way of looking at...

A business case for flexible housing: The feasibility of implementing flexibility measures in the housing market

Adaptive construction is already for decades on the agenda of the construction sector. The adaptive capacity of a building includes all properties and qualities that enable the building keeping its (economic feasible) functionality during the technical life cycle, under altered conditions and needs (Geraedts 2014). Meanwhile, the interest in...

EventHUB: A self-sustaining and relocatable pavilion for events

For the design of the EventHUB a research was done on the possibilities for renewable onsite power production for temporary outdoor events. The research concluded that flexible PV cells were an interesting possibility and were here for used as starting point for the architectural design. During the design process the integration of the PV cells...

Historic Solids: Accommodating change

The goal of the graduation project, is to test to what extend the Solid concept is applicable to historic buildings and how is this allowed. My design proposal is concentrated in a specific design context in the Binnenstadscampus, the Klinisch Ziekenhuis, which through my research proved to bring most of those inherent features which confer...

The Great Minimum: A fixed and flexible intervention in the Eilandenbuurt, Rotterdam

The design focuses on an fixed and temporary intervention on an existing portiek dwelling in the Carnisse Eilandenbuurt, Rotterdam. Those dwellings are originally designed by architect Jo van den Broek. The portiek dwellings may be called minimum dwellings. The minimum dwelling is the theme of the research and design. The neighbourhood has...

Flexible fragments

This project creates a flexible building in difficult social conditions. The building can change function over time, but for now it is a culture center. In this culture center the local youth can learn how to play an instrument, but also dance studios are available. The landscape concept is more focused on the elderly people. This creates a...

Adaptive capacity of buildings: A determination method to promote flexible and sustainable construction

The subject adaptive construction is already for decades on the agenda of the construction sector. The adaptive capacity of a building includes all properties and qualities that enable the building keeping its (economic feasible) functionality during the technical life cycle, under altered conditions and needs. Meanwhile, the interest in...

Buiksloterham in Transition: Developing tools to support processes of urban transition

The research is based on a theoretical framework, labeled as an evolving network approach that aims to approach the subject of the urban transformation of the Buiksloterham area in Amsterdam-Noord in a holistic way and tries to analyze multiple scales and their relations ranging from the local to the global. Based on the analyses a conclusion is...

Success and failure in flexible building

In the present demand-driven market, consumers play a key role. Players in the house-building market, as in other sectors, need to listen to the consumer's requirements – and these are continually changing. The real estate sector is rather rigid in its practices, yet those working in it will need to respond to the fluctuating wishes and demands...