More than half of the world’s population live in cities, and this ratio is only expected to continue to increase over the years.

Capacity for living and working in cities is only so large, so it’s not a surprise to see landscapes and forms of cities constantly changing and expanding. Urban sprawl is recognised as a harmful process, because of the consequent increase in CO2 emissions, increase of artificial soil and fragmentation of landscape. As a result, smart and flexible design is needed to combat the issue.

What is flexible and multifunctional design?

Flexible and multifunctional design focuses on spaces which can serve several user functions, to optimise seldom used spaces and accommodate the growing needs of occupants to better utilise buildings for maximised efficiency.

With an increasing urban population, less space, and restricted resources; architects recognise there is a growing need for multifunctional spaces, particularly, urban multifunctional spaces.

But past the obvious benefits of better-used spaces, how does flexible design help us? And in what ways can we expect to see it incorporated into architecture this year?

75 London Wall Visualisations by Glass Canvas

75 London Wall Visualisations by Glass Canvas

Benefits of flexible design

Resource Optimisation: Flexible designs often lead to more efficient resource utilisation, as components can be repurposed or adjusted without the need for complete redesign.

Adaptable Design: Flexible designs can easily adapt to changing requirements, allowing for modifications without significant rework. The ability to evolve over time can reduce the need for frequent redesigns, saving costs in the long run.

Scalability: Systems or products with flexible designs can scale more easily to accommodate increased demand or changes in scale.

Extended Lifespan: Flexible designs can contribute to the longevity of products or systems by allowing updates and modifications, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

Design diversity: Designs can incorporate social and generational diversity, to suit ever developing needs of inhabitants.

What ways will we see flexible design in architecture this year?

Since the ‘return to office’ post pandemic workers started joining in person again in 2021, offices saw the rise of more modular, flexible and multi-purpose office spaces, which highlighted the developing cultural requirements for multi-use spaces and flexible design to architects.

Some examples of flexible and multifunctional design include these examples:

Serene House HCMC, Vietnam

Serene House HCMC is a mixed-use development in Vietnam. Its prefabricated structure offers unlimited flexibility for occupants. Most of the furnishings are movable, and the design blends the inside and outside to encourage movement and a wide range of uses. It also implements biophilic design, a modern design incorporation which improves the development’s design.

The Edge, Amsterdam

Called “the smartest building in the world,” The Edge in Amsterdam is recognised as one of the most sustainable and intelligent buildings. Its design allows for flexible workspaces that occupants can easily reconfigure according to changing needs. The building uses demountable partition walls and raised flooring with easily accessible utilities which allows users to make major adjustments to the space continually without any invasive structural changes.

Can we redesign the past?

Redesigning past architectural spaces is not easy. Reversible design however emphasises flexibility, adaptability and the potential for disassembly or modification, which allows structures to evolve with changing needs while reducing waste.

With the ever-growing increase in urban population and depletion of resources, the need for multifunctional spaces, specifically in commercial, office and educational sectors, is continually more important and we are sure to see more of these developments in 2024 and beyond.