Arquitetura flexível: um desafio para uma melhor qualidade habitacional

Abstract

The primary purpose of this research is to identify design guidelines focused on flexibility applied to residential architecture. For the study, a total of 55 compact housing projects developed for the Solar Decathlon Europe (SDE) international competition were analysed. As this research focuses on flexibility, the selection of the sample for analysis considers this concept. It is known that the spatial flexibility can manifest itself in different forms and degrees in housing units (whether it is single-family or multifamily). Thereby, the present study intends not only to explore each one of these forms, paying attention to the several existing flexibilities, but also to classify them according to the common features observed, in order to identify flexibility enablers (such as independent structure, structural modulation, light walls and partitions, movable partitions, furniture as a room divider, vertical circulation cores, single environment with internal divisions, etc.) and, flexibility types (intrinsic and designed flexibilities) found. This research is characterised as a comparative case study, in which mixed methods were applied. To achieve the objectives here proposed, the following eight methodological steps were established: theoretical foundation, development of the data collection instrument, pilot study, data collection, systematisation of data, analysis of case studies, discussion of results and conclusion. Investigation on this theme is a trend that has been increasingly explored and discussed in the field of architecture, considering the need to respond to changes in everyday life, such as, demographic, economic, environmental and technological aspects of society. To promote flexible and adaptable choices is a challenge for improving housing quality and, consequently, for improving life in contemporary urban centres. Therefore, it is expected that this study will contribute to the improvement of space/user relationships, improving satisfaction and proper functioning of houses with small dimensions.