The Learning Buildings Framework for Quantifying Building Adaptability: Fid-Bau Portal

The Learning Buildings Framework for Quantifying Building Adaptability

Ross, B. E.

Unprecedented and accelerating trends in technology, climate change, and urbanization are changing the functional and physical demands placed on buildings. Buildings that cannot be readily changed are susceptible to obsolesce, one of the most common but least understood “hazards” facing the built environment. In contrast, adaptable buildings are resistant to obsolesce; they can be easily adapted in order to meet new demands. This paper presents a “learning buildings framework” (LBF) for quantifying the adaptability of buildings. Currently available models can be used for assessing the adaptability of existing buildings; however, the LBF focuses on new construction and is based on decisions and strategies that are within the domain of building designers. The LBF quantifies a building’s adaptability as the summation of adaptability for individual building systems. Scores for each system are weighted according to their likelihood of needing adaptation, cost, and the degree to which adaptability strategies are applied. This paper focuses on the theory and development of the LBF. Validation and calibration of the LBF are the objectives of ongoing research.