Adaptability in Wood Construction: Barriers to Flexible Multi-Storey Timber Buildings

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Abstract

In an era marked by rapid and constant change, designers are challenged to create solutions that are not only sustainable but also adaptable to an ever-evolving environment. Wood, as a renewable and versatile resource, plays a pivotal role in this context. Also, timber buildings and structures are in a perpetual state of transition, and enabling these transformations is crucial for the sustainable development of our built environment. This chapter discusses adaptability for multi-storey timber buildings, addressing the current lack of empirical data and lived experience in this area. The research aims to identify the technical barriers to adaptation of multi-storey timber buildings and which research currently addresses them. The methodology comprises an in-depth literature review on adaptability in timber engineering and architecture and a comparative analysis of adaptability research. The study highlights the importance of designing timber buildings with adaptability in mind, considering aspects such as acoustics, prefabrication, standardisation, span, fire safety, services and moisture planning. The findings suggest that while timber structures are designed for longevity, their potential for adaptation is often insufficient, emphasizing the need for a more holistic approach to design that includes whole-building scales, while adaptability research does not yet incorporate these timber-specific aspects.

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