Flexibility and variability

Flexibility and variability in the housing concepts can be defined as the design of the housing structures with the understanding of prospective development of the site, life and social scenarios; with the possibility to make appropriate changes in the housing environment, structure or unit. Variability and flexibility is the ability to change a living environment and to adapt it according to new requirements. It can be applied in urban and architectural scale in relation with the urban or architectural structure.

In the urban context  it applies mainly for the structure of amenities of a city (community) - when designing specific areas for shops, services, offices, entertainment, leisure time activities and culture. Variable and flexible structure of amenities of the city (community) offers an attractive "mixture" of different functions, that can be joined together in different ways to multi-function (point-concentrated) units: shopping malls, multipurpose complexes, courthouses and amusement parks.

Public spaces fulfill the role of a connecting framework when combining individual amenities. Public spaces may offer a number of variable and flexible elements which increase their attractiveness of use and may also change their function. Variable and flexible urban structure, in the final outcome - in the wider context, improves the quality of housing which is in direct relation to such structures.

In the architectural context, the flexibility and variability binds to a specific space, which is designed in such way that it has the ability to change – vary its functional use. Apartment as a base unit of housing should be able to respond to changes (variability) and to adapt to these changes (flexibility).

Flexibility and variability in the housing concepts can be defined as the design of the housing structures with the understanding of prospective development of the site, life and social scenarios; with the possibility to make appropriate changes in the housing environment, structure or unit. Variability and flexibility is the ability to change a living environment and to adapt it according to new requirements. It can be applied in urban and architectural scale in relation with the urban or architectural structure.

In the urban context  it applies mainly for the structure of amenities of a city (community) - when designing specific areas for shops, services, offices, entertainment, leisure time activities and culture. Variable and flexible structure of amenities of the city (community) offers an attractive "mixture" of different functions, that can be joined together in different ways to multi-function (point-concentrated) units: shopping malls, multipurpose complexes, courthouses and amusement parks.

Public spaces fulfill the role of a connecting framework when combining individual amenities. Public spaces may offer a number of variable and flexible elements which increase their attractiveness of use and may also change their function. Variable and flexible urban structure, in the final outcome - in the wider context, improves the quality of housing which is in direct relation to such structures.

In the architectural context, the flexibility and variability binds to a specific space, which is designed in such way that it has the ability to change – vary its functional use. Apartment as a base unit of housing should be able to respond to changes (variability) and to adapt to these changes (flexibility).

Variable apartment is a dwelling with layout which allows for certain simple and inexpensive modifications, while the total area of ​​the apartment remains unchanged (does not increase or decrease). Variable apartment allows changing its layout by inexpensive modifications to the whole building.

© FA STU

Assoc.prof.Dr.Andrea Bacová

Mapping the proximity - Bratislava suburbs

Suburban housing

Suburban housing is an actual housing issue involving social and urban processes and human activities.

One way focuses on extensive form of construction at the edges of cities and rural settlements without a comprehensive settlement of the services and amenities, and the second by densification of already existing residential structures which were built in the past, in contact with the existing areas. The problem of the construction of the current suburban residential zones is deficient solution in terms of application of the factors that contribute to the harmonisation of the living environment. This is the economic, social, environmental and cultural factors. In the construction of the residential units are missing in the spectrum of features that significantly contribute to the quality of the living environment and bringing it to the city way of life. The main starting point in the development of the living environment should be the application of

the principles of sustainable development. These principles are reflected in the architectural design which should ensure the necessary level and capacity development of the housing.

Faculty of Architecture Slovak University of Technology presents the Studio  Designs of the suburbs locality near the capital Bratislava with the topic of proximity housing design, related to the Oikodomos learning activities in the summer term 2011.

First is the re-vitalized area in the connection with the big refinery Slovnaft, which generates the barrier of the further development of the Bratislava in the east direction.

The slide shows night panorama of the factory.

The scheme shows clearly the barrier of the development, as well as the surface of the refinery, which is bigger then the city centre. 

Solved revitalized area generates the transition function between the factory area and the surrounding residential areas. 

Design: Bc. Barbora Borščová Tutor: Prof.Dr.Peter Vodrážka, FASTU 2011