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.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• SuDs.
• CIRIA.
• Resilience.
• SuDS manual.
• Sustainability.
• BREEAM Functional adaptability.
• Future proofing construction.
• Design flexibility.