The Adaptable home a conceptual framework for designing adaptable middle-income houses in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Adaptability in architecture refers to a building's ability to change or evolve to meet the needs of occupants over time. This can make buildings accommodate changes to family size, lifestyle, and trends, as well as undergo upgrades without extensive and costly renovations. Adaptable homes offer sustainability by minimizing disruptive modifications and allowing for personalization and extending their usability. However, there is a significant gap in understanding the specific adaptability needs in contexts like Sri Lanka. This study aims to address this gap by understanding the importance of adaptability in middle-income Sri Lankan households and developing a framework to help architects and stakeholders measure adaptability. Existing Literature was studied to compare adaptability strategies and synthesize a set of core adaptability principles. The methodology involved using an online questionnaire to gather data from both residents and architects regarding current adaptability practices, preferences, and prioritization of strategies. Findings revealed that the ability to upgrade and have versatile spaces was one of the most valued principles among residents. The architect's responses were used to quantify the adaptability principles, forming the backbone of the adaptability framework. This data was then used to create a systematic structure that assigns an adaptability score to a house, serving as a foundational model for future assessment tools.