How do you design a building that can adapt to a future you can’t predict? The answer is to forget trying to predict the future and focus instead on choosing building methods with inherent adaptability.
Future proofing tends to be loosely defined in construction. A future-proof office block might be one that can accommodate new technologies and different internal layouts. But what do you do when that office space isn’t needed at all?
Conversion to other uses can be difficult and not all that effective. Ultimately the building is constrained by a fixed external structure and footprint. In the extreme case there may be no potential use for a building of that size in that location. What then?
Buildings Often Outlive Their Current Use
Future proofing is obviously valuable. Buildings will last many decades while the pace of change in society makes predictions even a few years into the future difficult. The more buildings are able to adapt to changing times the less need there’ll be to demolish and rebuild them, with the environmental cost that brings.
Future proofing should really apply to the whole structure, not just the internal layout. This is a significant advantage of panelised offsite construction.
Internal walls built from SIPs can be relocated easily while still seeming ‘permanent.’ For all types of buildings this brings valuable flexibility to create rooms of different sizes and shapes and modify how traffic flows around the building.
Change the Building Without Changing the Building
If the overall building needs to be made smaller or larger it doesn’t have to mean a major project if modern building systems are deployed. If more light is needed to suit a different purpose it’s possible to swap solid panels for glazed ones relatively easily.
In the extreme case a building may outlive its purpose. Panelised structures can be dismantled and relocated. Or major elements of the building can be used elsewhere rather than having to build completely from scratch.
Timber framed buildings created during medieval and Tudor times are often still in use and have adapted well to changing demands. Perhaps this offers inspiration for how we should think about building design and construction. It’s time to appreciate the full value of the adaptability modern building systems can bring.
If you’d like to know more about Innovaré panelised building systems and future-proof construction contact enquiries@innovaresystems.co.uk or take a look at our resource centre.
