Versatile Space:
The Trend to Multi-functional Space And Design Strategy
Haile LI
Department of Architecture
Chongqing University, Chongqing
Abstract: This paper introduces the idea of versatile space to respond the rapid change of social
and economical circumstances in high-density urban areas. The origins of versatile space are
illuminated. And the measures to facilitate versatile space are reached by analyzing the factors
involved in the function-space relation.
Keywords: versatile spaces, high-density area, design strategy
1. INTRODUCTION
With the rapid change of social and economical circumstances in high-density urban areas,
the requirements of urban and building space are changed quickly. In their life spans, the urban
and building structures must accommodate change and adjustment, and be prepared for conversion
into different functions without rebuilding the structure because of the limited space resources and
high cost. Thus versatile space has its role to make a solution.
2. VERSATILE SPACE
2.1. Space and Function
A space is the opposite of an entity. Outside of an entity, there is the space, which is
invisible and untouchable. And space is also something.formed in the relationship between an
entity and the one who,feels it (Ashihara Yoshinobu 1989). Laozi, the ancient Chinese philosopher,
mentioned in his work Duo De Jing that when muking a vessel by clay, whczt we really need is the
emptiness.formed by the vessel. Having x'indows and doors on the wall to shape a room, what we
realfv need is the emptiness in the room. That is to say the value of a building lies in the emptiness
enclosed by the walls, not the walls themselves. The emptiness inside the building is SPACE.
Various materials are used to enclose a space to accommodate some activities. FUNCTION
is the activity accommodated by a space.
In a building, function represents content, while space represents form. There is a certain
relationship between them: content decides form; form affects content.
2.2. Versatile Space
Versatile space, which is multi-functional, is the opposite of unitary space. Versatile space
accommodates diverse functions, while unitary space is only suitable for a particular one.
3. ORIGINS
3.1. The Doubt of Modernism
Function zoning is one of the basis principles of Modernism. In the early days of
Modernism, the method of function-zoning helped cities out of chaos. But it was doubted later due
to its ignorance of the diversity of city life, increasing social cost and large energy consuming. In
the smaller scale of urban fabric and buildings, too strict zoning disrupts the linkage between
functions, prevents people from communication, and increases transportation and energy
consumption.
Form follows function is another basis principle of Modernism. The principle was
prevailing the whole world from 1930s to 1950s. However as the development of architecture,
Modernism was facing challenges, as well as the principle of form follows function. Function may
have some impact to form. But there is no one-to-one relationship between form and function. A
given form could accommodate various functions, while a given function could be expressed as
various forms.
3.2. Commercialization
The development of architecture is always affected by economic factors. As the fast
change of the market, it becomes very difficult to predict the requirement of the potential user for a
space. Buildings that designed as commodities have to respond to the change simultaneously.
That's where versatile space is needed.
3.3. Digitization
In the digitized society, cities based on information technology are no longer constrained
by forms, and cities might develop towards low rise and dispersed structure. Because of the fast
and convenient information transportation, some functions used to require a large space are
dispersed, which makes the space be able to accommodate various dispersed functions. Banks,
used to occupy prominent buildings in the city, are changed into ATMs on the streets. The process
of digitization eliminates space and time, and makes function more adaptable. Versatile space is
becoming possible.
3.4. Sustainable Development
To tear down a building whose structure does not expire, or inadequate usage of a space is
a waste of resources. One important character of a sustainable city and building is to be energy and
resource saving. Versatile space could help to develop a sustainable city and building.
3.5. A Thought of Chaos
Through the development of civilization, there is always a trend to eliminate uncertainty
by conquering and controlling the nature. This attempt is actually an illusion. The theory of chaos
deems that we could never predict, dominate or control the chaotic systems. It is wiser to contain
than to resist the uncertainty of life. Space should not be dominated by determinism. The functions
a space needs to contain in the life span may change many times. Architects should design the
space to maximize the possibilities of change, so that the space could be more adaptable to
maintain valuable all through the life span.
4. SIGNIFICANCE
4.1. Adaptability
Adaptability is the potential of a system to harmonize with the environment. The
adaptability of a space is the potential to change or adjust the elements constructing the space to
respond the changing environment.
Unitary space could not accommodate new functions by maintaining its own characters,
and it could not provide the possibility to change or adjust some part of it. A unitary space loses its
value when hnction changes.
Versatile space, which is more adaptable than unitary space, could accommodate new
functions with or without changing.
4.2. Resources Saving
Various functions could take place in a versatile space simultaneously or successively. No
extra spaces are required. This is a way to save resources.
4.3. Communication
Modernism emphasizes function zoning. The communication between functions is
inconvenient as different functions occurred in different spaces. Versatile space contains different
functions, the communication between which is promoted.
In the open office with low partitions, employees from different sections work in the same
space, communication is more convenient than in conventional separated office rooms. The public
space in a community or in a building would be more attractive when the space is designed as a
versatile space, as various activities are facilitated.
4.4. Humanization
Rationalism, which promotes rationality while demotes contingency, is the rule western
architects followed all the way through Classicalism, Revivalism, Functionalism to Modernism.
But Rationalism regards human as machine and ignored the nature of humanbeings.
As versatile space could be occupied in various ways, the creation of human is largely
encouraged and people could make the space the way he likes. Versatile space makes it possible
for different functions occurring in the same space to encourage undesigned communication,
therefore make the space more vivid and interesting, more humanized, and more organic.
5. STRATEGIES
To analyze the factors of a space reacting with function could provide strategies to
facilitate the possibility of change. Function has certain relation with three factors of a space: size,
shape and quality (Peng Yigang 1983). And for the function occurs in a series of spaces, linkage
between them plays an important role.
5.1. Size
To contain certain function, a space requires a certain size. And to contain various
functions, the size of a space should be proper for all of the functions.
Versatile space contains functions requiring similar size. A proper size and the guidance of
versatile space design could be found out by listing the size each hnction requiring. Take an
ordinary apartment for example, a room with the size of 15-200 is not only proper to be a living-
room but also a master bedroom. So, this room has the character of a versatile space. The size of a
space in a residential area facilitating activities of both old people for practicing Taiji and children
for playing also makes the space versatile.
The spaces mentioned above don't require size change to contain different functions.
Sometimes the size of a space might need to be changed to do so. Smaller office rooms could be
shaped by adding some partitions to an open office. And in an apartment, two smaller bedrooms
could be formed by adding a wall in the middle of a specially designed bigger one.
5.2. Shape
A space also needs to have some certain shape to contain certain function. Ancient Greek
theatres are fan-shaped, ancient Roman arenas are elliptic, and the rooms for practicing musical
instruments in a school are trapeziform.
Versatile space could satisfy functions requiring similar shapes without changing itself. A
mezzo shape should be chosen to make a space versatile. The hall in a cinema or a theatre requires
similar shape. But it's still different because of their visual an auditory characters: cinema hall is
longer while theatre hall wider. If a hall in a community center is expected to be both a cinema and
a theatre, a mezzo long-and-wide proportion should be chosen to make the space versatile.
Versatile space also could change its shape to contain different functions. The request for
shape both before and after change should be considered in the design process. There is still an
example in office building. The wall between two office rooms is movable. With the wall, the
shapes of the two rooms are proper for official business. Without the wall, the shape of the united
room is suitable for a long table to make a meeting room.
5.3. Quality
Quality is another important factor of space-function relation. The quality of a space
concerns lighting, ventilation, sunshine, temperature and so on.
Versatile space contains functions requiring similar space qualities. For functions of office
business, dwelling, dining and so on, if the quality of a space is proper for one of them, it's
suitable for the others.
Versatile space could also change some of its qualities to content different functions. A
bedroom and a living room may have different request for natural light. To make a room versatile,
the outer wall could be designed to be able to adjust natural light.
5.4. Linkage
Some function occurs in a single space, while some needs a series of spaces. Different
function may require different linkage of the spaces. Versatile space could accommodate different
functions by changing the linkage of a series of spaces. There are different ways to partition a big
building plan: partitioning the plan into closed rooms connecting by a corridor for office business,
or partitioning the plan into a series of rooms connecting one by one for exhibition. As the linkage
is different, the function is different. To provide the possibility of linkage change is the way to
make a space versatile.
6. MEASURES
6.1. Neutralization
Neutralization means a space is designed for some different functions not a particular one.
Neutralised space could contain any one of the considered functions without any change. The size,
shape, quality and linkage of space all could be designed neutralised. By analyzing the considered
functions, a table could be formed to choose proper parameters to be the design guidance. Take a
space in an office building for instance, the functions considered include formal meeting for 10
persons, offering the employees lunch and coffee space, resting and communication. A table is
formed according to these functions. (Table 1)
Table 1 Function Analyses for Neutralization
Factors Formal Meeting for 10 Lunch and Coffee Space Resting and Communication
Size
Shape Rectangle No particular request No particular request
Quality Natural or artificial lighting Natural lighting and ventilation Natural lighting and ventilation
Nice outside view
Linkage Connecting to the public space Connecting to the public space Connecting to the public space
and the service room and the outdoor space
A design guidance for the space could be reached by analyzing the table: areal5 sq. m.,
net height 3m, rectangle, natural ventilation and lighting, connecting to the public space and
service room, with a nice view and access to the outdoor space.
6.2. Homogenization
Homogenization means in some particular range, the space has the same or similar
characters, facilitating the exchange of functions.
The spaces of traditional Chinese architecture are typical homogenized spaces. A room
supported by wood frame is the fundamental unit of traditional Chinese architecture. These
-
fundamental units make uu buildings of similar size and
shape, and courtyards of various sizes connect these
buildings together to make the urban fabric. Each room is a
similar rectangle space facing the courtyard. Only the
locality is different. Thus the room in traditional Chinese
building is not named after function but locality.
The domino system promoted by Le Corbusier
might be the beginning of modem homogenized space. The
spaces, formed by regular column matrix, have the similar
or same quality. It is possible to partition the space in
various ways.
If the domino system plan is big enough, the quality
of spaces inside would be different: the spaces near the
outer wall may have good quality of natural lighting and
ventilation, while the rest don't have that quality. The
concept of void would be useful to maintain a large plan
homogenized. To create void is to make some holes in a
large plan. Central Beheer designed by Herman Hertzberger
is a good example for void. The structure of the building is
formed by the main frame of 9mX9m and secondary frame
of stripes 3m by width. Courtyards are created within the
structure to make every point in the plan fell the nature. So
there are unnumbered possibilities to arrange functions.
Void also could be introduced to high-rise
buildings. T.R. Hamzah & Yeang make some aerial
Figure 2 Plan o f Central Beheer gardensin ecological high-rise building to facilitate the
access to nature in higher parts as the ground floor.
The spaces in high-rise building are also homogenized.
6.3. Multi-linkage
Multi-linkage refers that there are different ways to link the
spaces involved. Multi-linkage makes versatile space in two
situations: the linkage between spaces is changed to facilitate new
nA functions, or the space has convenient linkage to other spaces to
make easy access to encourage various activities.
To change the linkage, some physical change should be
made, but the change could be restricted in a small extend. Take a
room in an apartment for example. The small room between two
bigger ones could open doors on three of the walls. Open the door to
the bedroom, the small room turns into a walk-in closet; open to the
living room, a studio; and open to the corridor, a small bedroom.
The linkage to three spaces makes the small room a versatile space.
Conventional linkage to the other spaces makes a public
space versatile. Because of the conventional linkage to the other
parts of the building and the treads in it, the hall of Apollo School in
Amsterdam is very attractive for the children. The most important
one in the linkages is the access to nature. Sunshine and fresh air
encourage children's activities.
Figure 3 Multi-linkage o f a
room
Figure 4 The Hall in Apollo School, Amsterdam
6.4. Hierarchical levels
Versatile space facilitates new functions with or without physical changes. In most cases,
to facilitate new functions doesn't require the change of the whole structure. But to alter or replace
building parts is difficult, because the change or adjustment would affect other parts, and require
the other parts to be removed or taken away and rebuilt. These building parts might be under
control of different parties, and these parties also need to correspond. There are friction and
conflict in the process of change or adjustment, which Stephen Kendall called "building
entanglement".
Hierarchical levels could be employed to
avoid the entanglement when the building or
structure is too complex to be under the
responsibility of only one party, or when many
different parties each desire to have control of some
part of the whole. Thus levels such as the following
emerge Stephen Kendall2002:
Urban Structure (the larger scale ordering of
land uses and transportation arteries)
Urban Fabric (Neighborhood)
Base Building (the shared parts of multi- Figure 5 Hierarchical levels of Next
tenant buildings) 21, 6-16 Shimizudani, Tennoji-ku,
Fit-out (partitions, some mechanical Osaka City, Japan
equipment)
Furniture and Equipment
Each level concerns not only physical parts
of a building or structure but also social force,
equipment and construction skill etc. Each level is
restricted by the next higher level above, while sets
conditions for the next lower level. The levels work
in a hierarchical way. The adjustment and change in
each level doesn't affect the higher one. Thus parts
of the building or structure could be altered to
facilitate new functions. The higher level provides
various ~ossibilitiesof change " for the lower level.
while minimizes the impact to the other parts. Figure 6 Next 21, 6-16 Shimizudani,
Tennoji-ku, Osaka City, Japan
7. CONCLUSION
The implications of versatile space are significant. Versatile space makes a solution to
design building and structure adaptable to respond the rapid change of social and economical
circumstances in high-density areas.
The theory of versatile space is originated from the doubt of some principles of
modernism, such as function-zoning and form follows ,function. And it is also originated from
commercialization and digitization. Commercialization requires timely changing of the spaces
according to the market, and digitization makes function more adaptable to the space.
Size, shape, quality and linkage are the basic factors involved in space-function relation.
Based on the analyses of the factors, measures to facilitate a versatile space emerge:
Neutralization, (A space is designed for some different functions not a particular one.)
Homogenization, (In some particular range, the space has the same or similar characters.)
Multi-linkage, (There are different ways to link the spaces involved.)
Hierarchical levels, (The levels of a structure is designed to work in a hierarchical way.)
REFERENCE
Stephen Kendall 2002 The Building and Fit-out: Principles for 21.'' Century Building
Maintenance and Management
http://www.bsu.edu/cap/programsfbfi/OpenBuilding/openbuilding.htm
Stephen Kendall 2002 An Open Building Industry: Making Agile Buildings That Achieve
Performance For Clients
http://www.bsu.edu/cap/programsfbfi/OpenBuilding/openbuilding.htm
