A start

Introduction
Change is the new constant
The statement above stands unquestioned and self-explanatory in a dynamic world where in every field
of study and work the ultimate goal is to achieve an infinite and instant flexibility.

Objects today are "alive" and are able to change from one dimension to another. Torch in radio, Sofa
cum bed, computer in a mobile phone are all examples of changing functionalities. Modular kitchens,
folding chairs; roll able keypads, bed-in-wall systems are all examples of changing volumes or spaces.
This phenomenon can be attributed to the fact that we as people are constantly evolving and adopting
new lifestyles.

The house or dwelling is a crucial model for exploring new ideas and implementing innovative
technology. It is the laboratory, test-tube and Petridis of new form, technologies and living patterns.
Also, a dwelling being the primary living space needs to accommodate life cycle changes; increase in
family size, aging, change in occupation etc. The dwelling unit can be described aptly as the 'second skin'
we possess as it is this artificial interface that helps us withstand our environment beyond the capacity
of the human body.

In a world of changing functionalities and changing volumes, this thesis probes into the utilization of
these fluctuating dimensions in the architecture of dwellings to solve problems of space efficiency,
material usage and time consumption. Any home should be able to adapt to the life of its inhabitants
and in this lies the true value of the dwelling leading to the question "What value does flexible
architecture add to dwellings?'

The following chapters aim at answering the above question with the help of suitable case studies and
other data collected from the existing literature available. The study is mostly contemporary and does
not feature many historical examples in order to increase its relevance in present time. A global outlook
has been provided rather than a region-specific one. However, an evaluation shall be made for the
application of systems of flexibility in the Indian context presently and for the projected future.

Need for the study

People are dynamic, progressive and adaptive. Our living spaces should be able to adapt to our changing
needs; expanding families, tendency to migrate and fast - paced work oriented lifestyles. With
globalization and seamless transfer of information across borders becoming a revolution, it is important
to recognize the bottlenecks posed by rigid and static architecture in an urban context. Flexible
architecture addresses these concerns using a number of innovative design strategies, open planning
concepts and modern technologies. Even varying degrees of flexibility provided by say; sliding/folding
furniture or the addition of a room to accommodate a new family member or a technology -driven
climate responsive morphing form; have an impact on our lifestyle and make dwelling that much more
comfortable.

Every flexible dwelling is enhanced by a different set of techniques and technology that add a certain
value to the space. Value addition may be in the form of use/function or responsive materials or even
just as symbolic connotations addressing a problem. It is important to identify these values to
understand the nuances of flexible spaces, and determine what Works' and what does not in a particular
context. The very future of flexible architecture will reflect the conclusions of such an analysis.

Scope of Study
Flexible architecture is a vast subject owing to its early beginnings since nomadic times as well as rapid
development in recent years.

• The term 'flexible' can be interpreted in an architectural sense in multiple ways and has been classified
by may authorities on the subject. This thesis follows the terminology and classification as defined in the
succeeding chapters to avoid ambiguity.

• The term 'dwelling' is indefinite and infinite. The types of dwellings covered in the study are
mentioned in succeeding chapters.

• The study is mostly contemporary and does not feature many-historical examples in order to increase
its relevance for the present and near future.

• Case studies and other references have been derived from various countries, built or idealized at
different points of time in the past. This thesis is not specific to any location or region but is only specific
to the issue addressed. It is a contemporary study with a global outlook.

Limitations
This thesis was compiled within a specific time frame in accordance to the academic schedule. Thus, it
has its limitations in that the study has been conducted from a database that may not be exhaustive.
Most part of the thesis is based upon secondary sources.

Methodology
A rigorous and comprehensive study of most of the literature available on flexible architecture was read
and understood. Following this, the research question was formulated and relevant case studies were
identified.

What value does flexible architecture add to dwelling?

The research question and hence, this thesis has been tackled in three portions.
• The first portion clarifies the meaning of the term 'dwelling' and the types of dwellings covered in the
thesis. It gives an overview of the dwelling unit today and the basic criteria that it must fulfill.

• The second portion explains the term flexible architecture and classifies various flexibilities under sub-
heads.

• The third portion deals with flexible architecture in dwellings. It explains in detail the need for flexible
spaces in dwellings. It describes the various types of flexibilities and their usage in different contexts to
save different functions. References have been made to several built projects around the world. A few
examples have been identifies as case studies and analyzed. Value addition has also been discussed at
length under various parameters and has been tabulated for ease of comparison.

• Each type of flexibility- has been supported by 3-5 case studies ;each selected for a different key
feature

• Every case study, has been chosen as it calls upon the attention of the reader to a particular technique
of livability under the sub-heads.

The terminal chapters include the conclusions drawn from the case studies and attempt to answer the
research question.

Dwell Well
What is a dwelling?

"To dwell is to make one's abode: to live in, or at, or on or about a place. For some this implies a
permanent structure: for others a temporary accommodation, for sell others it is where they live, even if
there is little evidence of building. All houses are dwellings; but all dwellings are not houses." (P.Oliver,
1987)

The term dwelling is both a verb and a noun. It is the state of being and the means to be. The act of
dwelling is innate to all creatures. Creating a sense of place out of a space be it a cave, tent or a
condominium and attaching a sentimental value to it through associated memories is to dwell. Through
the years, dwelling as a phenomenon has attracted several philosophers, thinkers and architects to write
upon the subject and define its scope.

Martin Heidegger (19811, a German philosopher argued that it is only when we can dwell that we can
build in his book "Building, Dwelling, Thin' king". (Heidegger, 1971)
This statement was opposed by Roger Scruton (1994) who insisted that "Only when we can build, only
then are we capable of dwelling. (Scruton, 19831 However, it is Peter King who strikes a balance in his
book . In Dwelling when he states that. Building and dwelling both appear to serve as the purpose for
the other. Building is the means of dwelling, it is the ware putting down of boundaries, and the action of
building makes dwelling significant cant to us as individuals or as members of a society." (King, 2008)

Humans have been building structures that can withstand the forces of nature and predators since pre-
historic times. Dwellings have evolved in form and function with the advent of new technology and
science.

Types of dwellings and their user spectrum

They can be classified on the basis of three parameters:

-Time

-Period of stay in a dwelling can establish its purpose and functioning. A distinction between Hotel and
home is intended. Boarding houses, Hotel Apartments, Hostels, Barracks, and Hospital Wards etc also
fall under this category.

-Typology

- The type of materials used in construction determines the form of the dwelling. These may be further
classified as Permanent, Semi-permanent and Transient structures. The type of dwelling is dependent on
climate, culture, economy and resource availability specific to a region/area. Huts, Tepees, Bungalows,
halets, Housing in concrete and glass etc fall in this category.

-Users

- Detached, Semi-detached and Multi-unit housing are the three sub-categories. Detached single -unit
housing is free-standing in a plot of it on Bungalows: Castles, Cottages, Prefabricated Houses and Tree
houses fall into this division. Semi-detached dwellings are those in which two houses are joined in part
over a level. Ex: Duplex house Multi-unit housing includes apartment blocks, Hostels, Loft apartments
and Housing co-operatives.

-Mobile

- These are typically homes on wheels like caravans and wailers. They also include house boats, tents
etc.

Dwelling criteria
Dwellings of all kinds are in existence today. The variation in form, function, materials and purpose is so
vast that the terminology itself has come to mean different things to different people based on their
background and life. However, there still remains a common thread that though unrecognizable at a
glance, plays across the broad spectrum meaning there are definitely some criteria that typify a
dwelling.

▪ Use and Function

▪ Materials and technology

▪ Climate and environment

▪ Symbolic or communicative connotations

▪ System of flexibility

▪ Cost( Location, land value)

Based on these factors, a broad spectrum of flexible dwellings have been studied to realize their value
for day-day living. For the purpose of this study only, the cost factor has not been taken into
consideration.

The Dwelling unit today

The term "dwelling' today in an urban context has evolved to mean modern day homes built out of
steel, concrete, wood or glass with a certain degree of permanence associated to them. This however
does not mean that the other forms of dwelling are redundant but only that they are in dwindling in
number. The next chapter in this thesis covers several case studies categorized into four broad
categories.

Adaptable

Transformable

Movable

Interactive

Flexible Architecture
What is flexible architecture?
"Flexibility is not the exhaustive anticipation of all possible changes. Most changes are unpredictable.
Flexibility is the creation of margin - excess capacity that enables different and even opposite
interpretations and uses.'
-Rem Koolhaas architect

When one begins to explore the subject of flexible/morphing architecture, it leads to the fundamental
question "what is flexible?'

Nothing is permanent Everything is in constant flux and change. Through day and night, through
summer and winter, year after yew; from birth to death, life flows in a timeless cycle-"(Zuk & Clark,
1970)

Since time immemorial, animals have been the sole architects of their own unique habitat that caters to
their most intrinsic needs. Every bird, mammal, amphibian or otherwise is born with an innate
knowledge of its shelter and how to build it. And this is where we as human beings differ. Our
knowledge of shelter and concepts of habitat go beyond the basics and refuse to attain stagnation. We
possess the quality of 'memory' and hence, every space visited ceases to be just a volume and begins to
acquire a 'place' value. Due to this trait, we keep improvising our living conditions and habitat to suit our
changing lifestyles. It is because we are consciously memorizing our surroundings that we have concepts
of a permanent residence or a family home or even emotional attachment to say a roan in a house or a
tree in the backyard. In other words, it is memory that facilitates permanence.

The word 'flexible' can be better understood when juxtaposed against something rather than as a
definition in solitude. Flexibility as opposed to permanence differs from flexibility as opposed to rigidity
and so on. In the former case, we are reminded of tents, emergency disaster housing and mobile
architecture while the latter talks of open floor plans, movable partitions and kinetic architecture.
Flexible architecture has a long and interesting history. Our nomadic beginnings and innate flexibility
called for artificial environments that could keep pace with our lifestyle and accommodate our changing
needs. To give this typology of architecture a definition, Flexible architecture can be defined as the
realm of architecture that allows for change periodically.

Classification
Flexibility in architecture is feasible in an infinite number of ways; in terms of materials and finishes,
external facade, interiors, furnishing, partitions, structural members and many such elements. Morphing
architecture is a vast area of interest to the architectural community today and has been classified in
several ways by different authorities on the subject. For better understanding a hybrid of two different
classifications from two independent sources has been followed;

▪ Flexible Architecture by Robert Kronenburg Lawrence King Publishing 1997 (Kronenburg, 1997)

▪ Blogger: Geoff, at www.wordpress.com, http:/ ithewmweliVe.wordpress.com/2037/11/15/flexiblity-in-

architecture/ (Geoff, 2000 ;)
Interactive
These are responsive buildings that can respond to a number of eternal stimuli, including, but not
limited to, energy/environment, interaction, usage, or occupation (case studies: Miens arena, institute
du monde arab).

Adaptable
Adaptable structures features repositionable partitions or are changeable per user/occupant (case
studies: Rietveld Schroeder house, japar.ese housing). What typifies a universally flexible building is its
ease of adaptation per use. These buildings are often characterized by open floor plans and typology
free design (case studies: S.R. crown hall, Eames house).

Movable
Movable flexible buildings consist of relocatable or repositionable structures or buildings capable of
being tom down and reassembled in another location (case studies: nomadic tents, airstream trailers).

Transformable
Characterized by modular design (capable of adding or removing units or components) transformable
structures can also open and dose, change form or change color (case studies: plug-in city, university of
phoenix stadium).

Flexible Dwellings

Need for flexibility in dwellings

-Buildings that morph are intended to respond to changing situations in their use, operation or location.
Morphing architecture adapts, rather than stagnates; transforms, rather than restricts; is motive, rather
than static; interacts with its users, rather than inhibits." (Kronenburg, 1997, pp. 10-11 Flexible
architecture can provide efficient solutions to the problems of today and tomorrow where yesterday's
rigid architecture fails. Imagine a home that travels with you on any business nip or holiday; a meeting
room that enlarges/ contracts to accommodate the number of people present; or even a tower that
bends to offer less resistance to wind forces.

Flexible architecture addresses several issues, some of which are categorized below:

Space Efficiency In a world of best fits', tight fits and 'one size fits all' , flexible architecture plays an
important role in defining and re-defining spaces in various permutations and combinations. Starting
from open floor plans providing ultimate flexibility to movable partitions in homes to inbuilt furniture
that slides, rotates or folds, this kind of architecture responds to practical problems with ease.

For example, in Hong Kong. because of acute space shortage, apartments are small and expensive. Gary
Chang, an architect, decided to design a 344 sq. ft. apartment to be able to change into 24 different
designs, all by just sliding panels and walls. He calls this the "Domestic Transformer." [Homes]

Mobility In a world where information is at our fingertips and technology-is omnipresent, our transience
in any particular house, apartment, city or even country is accentuated. We are constantly on the move
with our jobs, family, lifestyle etc. keeping pace with us. Ironically, one of the most basic constants, our
homes are still largely static and immobile.

Flexible architecture has started to offer short term solutions like Eduard Bohtlingk's Markies. This is a
trailer which offers all domestic servicing facilities and upon reaching its destination, the walls can fold
down to make floors and the new space is enclosed by a membrane like structure which is transparent
on the living side and translucent on the sleeping side.

Sustainability In a world where the word 'green' is gaining momentum and resources are scarce, flexible
architecture has the potential to break the vicious cycle between production, utilization and
degradation. Sustainable not only encompasses natural and man-made resources but also intangible
resources like time as well as financial resources. Flexibility in terms of space usage is in itself a
sustainable practice where a built environment can support several activities at different times of the
day catering to a varying audience. 'Modular' buildings and Pre-fabricated homes reduce construction
time by nearly two-thirds and also cut costs due to mass production and efficient usage of materials.
Climatology is also closely linked with sustainable building practices in that a building that can respond
to its environment consumes less energy while remaining uncompromising on the comfort of its
occupants. The 'skin' or external facade of the building being the interface can be manipulated to allow
or reject heat gain, control exposure to sunlight and stimulate or curb ventilation. For example, 'the
Esplanade theatre and commercial district in Singapore by DP Architects and Michael Wilford hosts an
elaborate skin inspired by the Durian plant. The external shading system is also responsive in that the
triangular louvers adjust during the day to the suns angle and position." (Mesghali, 2010)

Inclusivity In a world of cultural, social, gender, age, racial and economic disparities, it is necessary to
find an underlying common thread while at the same time preserve cur uniqueness. Today, a large
portion of the urban population resides in high-rise apartment blocks where the design is ultimately
what the builder gives them. The occupants have no or very less say in the design. In the words of
Robert Kronenburg, °Consequently, they are built to design principles that establish a lowest common
denominator-one size fits all." (Kronenburg, 1997)
Truly inclusive architecture would include all groups of people, whether of different economic strata,
religious beliefs, sex, familial and household structure, jobs or professions, disabilities, age, or even
sexual preference. In the western context inclusivity has generally come to mean inclusion cC the aged
and the disabled, while in most of the developing world it implies economic, religious and cultural
integration. The idea is not to equalize everyone and bring them to the same socio-economic level, but
rather accept and respect their differences.
Flexible architecture for the Indian context

India has a rich and vibrant history of flexibility in architecture. Time and again, historical examples like
the lightweight shamiana extensions, the chairpoy and the houseboats of Kashmir and Kerala have sown
the seeds of flexible living. Indians owing to fact that India is a third world county and rising up to its
over whelming problems of over-population, climate and growing economy have developed not only the
flexibility of dwelling structures but also their own innate flexibility. More often than not, people in the
sub-continent adapt to their surroundings as opposed to their surrounding built environment being
adaptable.

This tendency is understandably seen more amongst the poor and homeless in an urban setting. Strong
concepts of culture, religion and tradition coupled with political corruption, seem* and shortage of
resources make designing for this context volatile and complex. The tradition of flexibility in architecture
has not developed steadily with the growth of urban and rural agglomerations. It has yet to make its
presence, need and felt and experienced in the region. Some areas where flexible living may make a
huge contribution in the near future are as follows:

- Supply and Demand There is a widening gap between the growing populadon and the availability- of
dwelling units. Mass production of homes enabled by factory produced pre-fabricated units as discussed
under Adaptable (pg 22-33) could be an efficient solution. Also, shortage of land in urban centres calls
for maximizing space efficiency made possible by customized modular units or pods.

- Cultural and Social variations India is a culturally and socially diverse country. Every region has its
specific tradition and social values. The ancient science of Vaastu Shasta still has a strong influence in
many parts of the country. Norms regarding privacy and security of occupants, Lndoor/outdoor
activities, lifesv,ie, cooking etc. demand a very different aystem of domestic planning. Architecture that
can adapt and transform may help preserve these cultural practices in a modem world.

- Climate The length and breadth of India is host to multiple climatic regions and environments. An
interactive interface between man and his dwelling is important for sustenance.