Flexible housing for the amateur
P. Leijten (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
T.W. Kupers – Mentor (TU Delft - Teachers of Practice / A)
F. Adema – Mentor (TU Delft - Building Product Innovation)
P.S. van der Putt – Mentor (TU Delft - Public Building and Housing Design)
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Abstract
Flexible housing is offered as a way to extend the lifespan of architecture. This research paper explores the different ways to design flexible housing through the publications of Habraken, Brand, and Leupens as well as the findings by organizations like OBOM and Openbuilding.co. Three modern housing projects in Amsterdam, Superlofts houthavens, CiWoCo, and Patch-22 are analyzed on the criteria of flexibility as proposed in the publications. While highly flexible, some choices made either by the architect, constructor, or the current resident, might limit the choices a prospective resident might be able to make when they want to rearrange the interior.
A newly emerging target audience called ‘the amateur’, that greatly values high quality and customization, would be very suitable for this type of flexible housing. The paper analyses their preferences based on three case study projects (Superlofts houthavens, CiWoCo, and Patch-22) as well as a questionnaire and a series of short interviews. it is essential to consider the character of each design element (site, structure, skin, circulation, services, space plan, and stuff) in order to study the effectiveness of this building strategy.