Adaptability
The SuDS Manual (C753) published by CIRIA in 2015, defines adaptability as: (The degree to which a system can be adapted to better suit changing circumstances or conditions (see flexibility).’
Where flexibility is: ‘The ability to cope with a range of conditions or requirements.’
Urban Design Guidelines for Victoria, published by the State of Victoria (Australia) in 2016, defines adaptability (or 'adaptive re-use') as: ‘The capacity of a building or space to respond to changing social, technological, economic and market conditions and accommodate new or changed uses.’
In January 2020 the standard ISO 20887:2020 Design for disassembly and adaptability — Principles, requirements and guidance was published where the term adaptability is defined as the: ‘ability to be changed or modified to make suitable for a particular purpose.’
See also: Adapt and Repurposing of buildings
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.