Flexible Housing: The Role of Spatial Organization in Achieving Functional Efficiency

According to inhabitants’ dimensions and various aspects of human life, flexible spaces are used as a solution in social housing due to the lack of space that architects always confront. In fact, flexible housing responds to inhabitants’ needs throughout time. In other words, it evolves from the change in residents’ requirements and promises adaptability to their living conditions. This spatial adaptability replaces spatial hierarchy and enhances life quality. The main purpose of spatial organization is to plan an interior space in order to create functional efficiency in a dwelling layout. This study attempts to research less-focused concepts so as to establish guidelines for future flexible housing design. Encompassing two case studies regarding Dutch housing, this study aims to understand how interrelated space planning enhances spatial arrangements to achieve an efficient spatial configuration. Spatial organization is delved with in depth to understand how functional efficiency can be achieved in flexible housing. Finally, interrelated spatial organization is believed to contribute to placing spaces according to their function by creating a multilateral relationship that responds to the inhabitants’ ever-changing needs.

Keywords: flexible housing; functional efficiency; spatial organization; flexibility.

Seyed Reza Hosseini Raviz, Ali Nik Eteghad, Ezequiel Uson Guardiola and Antonio Armesto Aira, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND