Adaptable housing? A quantitative study of contemporary apartment layouts that have been rearranged by end-users

Abstract

Adaptability, that is, the capacity to accommodate future changes, is described as an intrinsic aspect of sustainable housing. Nevertheless, few studies have provided empirical evidence of what makes housing adaptable for end-users. Based on a sample of 313 modern apartments that have been rearranged by their owner-occupiers, two aspects of adaptability are subjected to a quantitative analysis based on space syntax regarding the generality or polyvalence of space and the physical factors of the floor plans that facilitate reconstructions. The results show that two form factors are linked to occupant rearrangements: the size of the living space and the fragmentation of the initial floor plan. The results spark a discussion on a lack of general use of modern apartments and the long-term sustainability of housing stocks with respect to social aspects, as well as resource use from renovation and adaptation. There is a need for the market to acknowledge residents' motivations for rearranging their living space, which can be due to a lack of quality in the original design, limitations in choosing a suitable apartment, or as a result of changing household needs.

Emerging living styles post-COVID-19: housing flexibility as a fundamental requirement for apartments in Jeddah

“…Their relationship with the internal environment has become influenced by the characteristics of space, its division and the possibility of establishing new activities therein. In the case of an open space plan, the living room can frequently become an area of passage, although it cannot be used as a quiet space for rest (Femenias and Geromel, 2019). This may apply for open floor plans for families who work different hours or for families that sometimes need to separate men and women (Femenias and Geromel, 2019).…”

“…In general, a room is the smallest practical unit in a dwelling. It derives its characteristics as an independent unit in terms of its size, shape and openings, yet it is an integral part of the dwelling when considering its relationships with the surrounding rooms or accessible roads (Femenias and Geromel, 2019). It is also an integral part of the building when considering the importance of the location of its windows as the windows are connected to a rhythmic sequence to the outside.…”

“…It is also an integral part of the building when considering the importance of the location of its windows as the windows are connected to a rhythmic sequence to the outside. The façade can facilitate the reorganisation of space indoors and allow multiple entrances to time-adjustable usage where one apartment can be divided into two apartments (Zivkovic and Jovanovic, 2012;Femenias and Geromel, 2019).…”

Can ‘Sufficiency’ reconcile social and environmental goals? A Q-methodological analysis of German housing policy

“…Academic research on the ecological dimension of sustainable housing has been dominated by studies on the technical aspect of sustainable housing, especially green building standards and energy efficiency programmes. Although some design approaches to housing, which can be categorized as sufficiency measures, are analysed (in this journal for example: tiny houses (Boeckermann et al 2019) adaptability of housing space (Femenias and Geromel 2020)), and domestic floor area per capita and its downsizing is increasingly acknowledged as key leverage for environmental impact reduction (Clune et al 2012;Welsh and Wadley 2014;Huebner and Shipworth 2017;Gröne 2018;Sandberg 2018;Shove 2018;McKinlay et al 2019;Stieß et al 2019;Thomas et al 2019;Cohen 2020), only few researchers explicitly refer to the concept of sufficiency in the field of housing: Xue questions the 'decoupling strategies for sustainable housing' (Xue 2013(Xue , 2015. Schneider et al (2012) raise the question of an 'housing overcapacity in Europe'.…”

Better Living Environment Today, More Adaptable Tomorrow?

“…Given that urban living expectations are diversifying (Juntto, 2008; and household and family structures are changing (Keurulainen, 2014), this creates consequences for preferred living arrangements. Additionally, benefits of adaptable dwellings for residents include long-term social sustainability by providing stability and agency when dwellers can stay in the same community for longer if their spatial needs can be accommodated through adaptability rather than moving (Femenias & Geromel, 2019). Hence, adaptability also supports the inclusion of a diversity of people.…”