Multifamily Open Building PDF

Universidad Politcnica de Catalunya
Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectnicas I

Master Oficial en Tecnologa de la Arquitectura
Construccin e Innovacin Tecnolgica
Master Dissertation:
Multifamily Open Building:
Application of open building approach in design and
construction process of multifamily housing
Jelena Nikolic
Tutor: Prof.Jos Mria Gonzlez Barroso
Barcelona, September, 2011
Multifamily Open Building

September 2011
Universidad Politcnica de Catalunya
Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectnicas I
Master Oficial en Tecnologa de la Arquitectura
Construccin e Innovacin Tecnolgica
Multifamily Open Building:

Application of open building approach in multifamily housing design and
construction process
arch. Jelena Nikolic
Tutor: Prof.Jos Mria Gonzlez Barroso
http://mastersuniversitaris.upc.edu/tecnologiaarquitectura/
mail: jela.nikoli@gmail.com
Barcelona 02 de septiembre 2009

September 2011
Acknowledgements
My special thanks to Professor Jos Mara Gonzlez Barrso for his firm
support. It has been a great privilege to share ideas and to have his
guidance and mentorship during all these work.
CONTENT
CHAPTER 1: Introduction to MULTIFAMILY OPEN BUILDING
1.1. What is Open Building?
1.1.1. Two principal concepts that define Open Building
1.1.2. Conclusion
1.2. What is Multifamily Open Building?
1.2.1. Main Problem definition
1.2.2. Main objectives
1.2.3. How the residential Open Building works? (ANNEX 1)
1.2.4. Some basic questions:
2 -9
10 - 22
***
CHAPTER 2: Evolution of Open Building approach in Multifamily

Housing
2.1. Residential Open Buildings: First initiatives and relevant experiences
2.1.1. The Netherlands case
2.1.2. The Japan Case
24 - 34
2.2. From Mass Housing to Residential Open Building

2.2.1. 1920s: The Minimal Dwelling in modern times
2.2.2. 1930s - 1960s: The Industrialization of Housing
and Mass Housing Production.
2.2.3. 1970s: Open Building and Participation and User Choice
35 - 41
2.3. The main transition in the conceptual framework
41 - 43
***
CHAPTER 3: How the Multifamily Open Buildings work? PRINCIPLES,

STRATEGIES AND METHODS
3.1. Key conceptual framework
3.1.1. Flexibility
3.1.2. Adaptability
3.1.3. Transformation
3.1.4. Customization
45 - 54
3.2. Specific technical strategies

3.2.1. Summary
3.2.2. Making INDEPENDENT LEVELS OF CONTROL.
3.2.3. Design characteristics of Open Building System for Multifamily Building.
Functional decomposition
Systematization of building components and subsystems
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Open system hierarchy and base element specification.

Controlled assembly sequences.
Dray joints connection and simple interface geometry.
3.3. Key development strategies

3.3.1. A STUDY ON THE APLICATION OF THE OPEN BUILDING
APPROACH IN MULTIFAMILY HOUSING DESIGN AND BUILDING
The best practice: NEXT 21
Spain state-of-the-art:
Parallel view of the case studies
3.3.2. Systematic design according to Levels of Control and
Building System method
3.3.3. Application of Open system to support and infill level
59 -82
3.4. Methods
3.4.1
83 - 92
IFD (Industrialized, Flexible, Demountable) System
Introduction
IFD principles and strategies
IFD method applied at the infill level
IFD method applied at the support level
Specificities of IFD system
Conclusion
***
CHAPTER 4: RELATED WORKS
93 - 103
1927 | The Weissenhofsiedlung Experimental Housing Project |

Mies van der Rohe | Stuttgart | Germany |
1952 | Kristalbouw | Jan Trapman | Amsterdam | The Netherlands |
1960 | Kallebck Experimental Housing | Erik Friberger | Sweden
1972 | Genterstrasse | Otto Steidle | Munich
1976 | Dwelling of Tomorrow | Wohnen Morgen | Ottokar Uhl
and Jos P. Weber, Arbeitsgemeinschaft fr Architektur | Austria
2001 | Flexsus House 22 | Takenaka Corporation | Japan
2003 | Siedlung Hegianwandweg | EM2N Architekten | Switzerland
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND PERSPECTIVES
104 - 106
References 111
Bibliography . 107
List of figures 113

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Antecedents
We need a new vision of process, not just productThe world, and our clients,
have seen what has been accomplished in other manufacturing fields: ships,
airplanes and cars. Higher quality and added scope and features are there, along
with lower cost and shorter time to fabricate. The old equilibrium between cost and
time no longer holds. The mandate for change has now shifted to architecture. We
cannot continue to build architecture at ever higher costs, longer schedules, and
lower quality. We must act. (Kieran and Timberlake 2004)
***
...don't build for technology, we built for people... (Dietmar Eberle of B&E
Baumschalge & Eberle Gmbh, Austria)
Four strategies are available and frequently used by the other industries to generate
individualization within mass production:
Flexibility of the Product, Flexibility of the Tool, Multipurpose Framework and
Combinability(R. B. Richard, 2006).
Architects must consider whether to think of buildings as complete artifacts or
perpetual works-in-progress (Jonathan Hugehes).
...existing tools need to be updated, most of all because of the long time and
fragmentation of delivery system, of the low levels of industrialization and because of
the difficulties in implementing new shared technical and management process
models. ( R. Di Giulio, M. Coccagna, G.-J. van den Brand, L. Quah Kiang)
.
... The investigation of the thesis, here put forward that the housing shortage
is indeed the result of the silent straggle between man and method. It will mean the
condemnation of mass housing. It will mean that the mode of operation which has
been followed until now has prevented us from providing the kind and quantity of
housing we need.(Habraken 1975)
***

September 2011
CHAPTER 1: Introduction to OPEN BUILDING

1.1.
What is Open Building?
Open Building is a multidisciplinary approach applied in building design that

supports building adaptability according to different requirements: in built
environment, in production and construction methods, in the market of products and
product technology and in the users demand for the suitable place.
Throughout the world many non-residential buildings are constructed according to
Open Building principles and strategies, for instance, many office buildings with open
plan layout to support a variety of work space distribution.
The main objective of Open Building approach is reaching building transformations
according to requirements of different participants in design and building process: design and
construction teams, lenders, owners, tenants, product manufacturers. New Open
Architecture introduces flexibility in building design and construction practices which
create capacity for transformation.
The origins of the Open Building concept is best assumed by one of John Habrakens
statements: We should not to forecast what will happen, but try to make provisions for the
unforeseen(Habraken, 1961). In order to accommodate the future changes and building
adaptations, he suggested introducing the levels of control (Habraken, 1961). and
controlled hierarchies (Habraken, 1961) of building parts in building design. Independent
levels have supported building division in two mayor groups of part: parts that correspond to
building infrastructure building support (Habraken, 1976), and parts that correspond to
building units-infill (Habraken, 1976). This division is done according to different life
circle of different building parts. Building parts with shorter life span (dwelling partitions,
finishing) change more rapidly than the long lasting parts (building structure).
Fig 1: Housing for the Millions: John Habraken and the

SAR (1960-2000): support and infill system division)

September 2011
In the figure 1 support and infill system division is clearly expressed with the
highway road and traffic. The road is support for the traffic . Highway is permanent
structure that supports less permanent traffic. Traffic is what is called "infill- many kinds,
types and sizes of vehicles, and it has many transformations in time. The highway is
permanent support that should be flexible for the traffic transformations.
Habraken promoted the concept of Open Building in the 1960s. The term Open
Building covers a number of ideas relating to a building and its environment which
Habraken (2006) defined, in part, as:
The idea that, more generally, designing is a process with multiple participants also
including different kinds of professionals.
The idea that the interface between technical systems allows the replacement of one
system with another performing the same function.
The idea that built environment is in constant transformation and change must be
recognized and understood. Habraken (2006)
In Habrakens statement building design stands for more systematical view of both:
Building design process referring spatial organization and functional disposition
Building construction process referring technical composition and building
configuration.
From improved participants decisions and possibility for choice, to standardized
interfaces between building systems that are compatible and sustainable, the Open Building
approach is introduced in multifamily housing design and building process.
***
1.1.1. Two principal concepts that define Open Building

LEVELS OF CONTROL
Theory of levels is the base frame for the new design strategy that recognizes different
parts of the building with different life cycles. The first step towards design for change is to
separate levels, that have different degrees of durability.
How can independent levels be recognized and made? Research that deals with the
changes in built environment in the past decades have had different interpretations of the
levels. Some studies have seen it through functions, which have different life cycles, others
through the levels of responsibility or technical levels.
In building design are introduced levels of technical composition, which deal with
integration of functional and physical levels. They play an important role within building
changes. In Every building functions change more rapidly than levels of building
configuration (building structure). The natural interdependency between functions and
materials (load bearing partition wall) has become a boundary for building transformations
(fig 2). The life circle of one set of function-construction relationships becomes shorter
because of rapid functional change and static configuration set. That is to say that durability
of functional levels determines the durability of physical levels. When the life circle of
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technical levels becomes independent of the life cycle of functional levels, the durability of
technical systems and their materials can be extended. This is the main goal of sustainable
construction.
Fig 2: Social Housing in Granollers, Spain, 2007: Conventional way of building (load bearing partition walls,
load bearing faade panel)
In the figure 2 is shown the conventional building as mixed system of different levels.
Load bearing partition walls represent the mixture of two functions: bearing and partitioning
and are fixed together in load bearing structure. The same occurs with faade panel. Different
functional levels are closely dependent because one component is used for more functions.
Different technical levels are also dependent by using fixed connections between components.
Strong dependency between levels and fixed joints between elements are boundary condition
for building transformations and building is considered closed- static.
To control one building composed from different elements, building should be defined
through the different types of independent levels. Levels are usually defined according to the
changes of studied aspects (functional, technical, spatial, material). The theory of levels
introduces systematization of studied aspects into number of independent levels, hierarchy,
and relations between the fast changing and slow changing building elements. Finally
building is considered as a system that can be represented through different types of levels.
Fig.3: Decision-Making Levels in Open Building. Diagram courtesy of Age van Randen.

September 2011
Habraken suggested that the built environment could be divided into three levels of
decision making, namely: urban fabric or tissue, base building or support, and fit out or
infill (Habraken, 1961) (fig 3). This hierarchy of levels was developed following the pattern
of responsibilities or control. Community is responsible for the urban tissue; some
community organizations are responsible for support and individual user is responsible for
fit out level.
In Open Building technical practice is established infill- (fit-out) level for the
building parts that change faster (fast cycling elements / Durmisevic, 2006) and support(base building) for the building parts that are more permanent (low cycling elements /
Durmisevic, 2006)(fig 4). The infill may be determined for each individual space without
affecting the building structure. Independent decisions on the support level involve building
parts which are common to all users. Main support parts are: load bearing structure,
building common mechanical and conveyance systems an public areas and also building
faade.
SUPPORT
INFILL
Fig. 4: Fast cycling elements SUPPORT level; slow cycling elements

INFILL level / Image drown by Kamo 2000
Another approach to systematization of changing levels within the building is done by

a group of researchers Duffy and Brand who argue that systematization of building should be
followed by the use life cycle of different building components. While analyzing the nature of
change in office buildings, Duffy defined building through four layers the so-called four Ss:
Shell, Services, Scenery, and Set.(Figure 5).
Shell is the main structure of the building and has a life span as a building.
Services are installed such as cabling, plumbing, air conditioning, and vertical
communications (lifts)..
Scenery is the layout of partitions, ceilings, and finishes.
Set is the furniture that is placed and moved by the occupants.
Fig. 5: Building layers according to Duffy (Duffy 1998)

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Duffy and Brand defined functional levels within a building in order to identify functions with
different changing circle in a building.(fig 6, 7)
Fig 6,7: Building layers according to Brand Sharing

layers of change (Brand 1995)
Following Brands layer diagram (fig. 7), building is usually composed of five
main parts that correspond to the main building functions: Building SITE, STRUCTURE,
SKIN, SERVICES, SPACE PLAN and STAFF.
Site: the urban location. The site lives longer than buildings.
Structure: the foundation and load-bearing elements, which last between 30-300 years.
Skin: the exterior finishing including roofs and faades. These are upgraded or
changed approximately every 20 years.
Services: heating, ventilating, and air conditioning, communication, and electrical
wiring. They wear out after 7-15 years.
Space plan: the interior layout including vertical partitions, doors, ceiling, and floors.
According to Brand, commercial space can change every 3 years.
Stuff: the furniture that is moved daily, weekly or monthly.
Leupen used the theory of levels as a basis to analyze flexibility in housing. He used
Habrakens definition of support and infill to separate building parts with different life
circle. The name support is not derived from its definition as a physical load bearing
construction, but from the consideration that it serves as a communal property in the building.
Elements forming the faade might be part of the support in one case and part of the infill in
another (windows, doors). The same is true for the services. Leupen has added two more
levels: installations, and stuff. He suggested that flexibility and variation is derived
primarily through combination of five functional levels of the building site, support, infill,
installations, and stuff on two levels of decision-making support and infill (see Figure 8).
Figure 8 left presents a solution where the load bearing structure and faade are part of a
support, Figure 8 x Middle: installations and separation wall as support and Figure 8
right: load bearing structure as support. By making such analysis Leupen argued that the
combinations within the support and infill levels of control have an impact on the
variation of architectural design.

September 2011
Fig. 8: Type of flexibility determined by the combination of

fixed and flexible levels /Leupen 2002
BUILDING SYSTEM APPROACH

In an industrialized building industry the products are not buildings but mainly
Building Systems. Building System is a set of parts and rules where the details are resolved so
as to generate many different and customized buildings. Therefore, the construction method is
not re-invented each time a building is planned, as it is still the case with the traditional set of
working drawings. (Richard, 2005)
The main parts of the building system are its sub-systems. Subsystem is a set of
predetermined, standardized, industrial components. Different Building System may have
different subsystems. If all subsystems components are put together to form one single mass,
the building system is closed-static.
The performance of the Crystal Palace fig 9, for example, is not determined by a
components list, but by the integration of components in some mayor subsystems and then
into one system. In the current state of housing we do one-way design for building, searching
for a unique outside look! One-Way-one level design, or one single form, where all elements
has been joined together is considered closed system.
Cristal Palace is a truly

industrialized building system and is
significant by the fact that it illustrates the
real potential of building system, where
standardization, variation and customization
support each other, in achieving an optimal
materialization process for the desired
design solution. After the Exhibition 1851, it
was completely decomposed and moved on
Sydenham Hill overlooking London
a)
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b)
Fig. 9: Crisal Palace, London,1851
a) Kit of parts Building system
b) Detail of roof construction:
demountable dray joints
c) Cristal Palace, London , 1851
c)
The sub-systems in one building system correspond to the main functions of the
building: STRUCTURE, ENVELOPE, PARTITIONS, SERVICES and EQUIPMENT.
Building system composed from independent subsystem is open system. An open system
can exchange parts, components and subsystems outside its original production contest. Open
systems are then considered interchangeable. Interchangeable components and subsystems
offer an opportunity for many manufactures to participate in the system configuration.
Exchangeability of components between different manufactures are possible if the dimensions
and their interface geometry are compatible. In Japanese wooden architecture, wooden house
is a complete building system of independent components and subsystems in which the
expansion, remodeling, removal and reconstruction of building are possible.
Industrialized Building Systems offer increased adaptability to changes through the
precise jointing features of the factory-made components and sub-systems. Since most
factory-made components or sub-systems are designed to facilitate site installation, they could
also be dismantled to generate change without any partial or total demolition, thereby
addressing the sustainability agenda and contributing to the formation of Industrialized,
Flexible and Demountable systems. (Quah et al 2004).
Open building system should not only be able to configure different types of
arrangements from the same set, but be able to reconfigure and adapt current arrangement
during its life.(Richard, 2005)
CLOSED AND OPEN BUILDING SYSTEM
In building industrialization, industrial product can be considered in two ways:
The industrial product is entire building.
The industrial products are building parts.
The first case is developed as an industrial method of models, and the second as industrial
method of elements. Multifamily building as a finished product is identified with the closed
system (a building made of large concrete panels, tunnel formwork system, etc.). Closed
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systems were used for "Mass Housing" production after the Second World War. Open
building approach is based on open system method by interchangeable components and
subsystems. The main criteria for open system are INDEPENDENCE and
EXCHANGEBILITY of its components and subsystems.
FLEXIBLE SYSTEM
A building system that can respond to different requirements for changes will be considered
flexible. All the sub-systems will be considered adaptable, changeable, and compatible.
Flexible systems generate user friendly building:
Freedom of choice.
Opportunity to modify the layout.
Evolution of the layout.
Individualization and customization.
Flexible components and subsystems joined by dry-jointing connections allow changes
without the usual destruction of elements associated with renovation.
DEMOUNTABLE SYSTEMS
Demountable system is a system capable of major reconfiguration, to be rebuilt somewhere
else. Demountable system is a essence to extend the life of total building system.
Demountable system is open and flexible. Demountable components and subsystems
joined by dry-jointing connections support reconfiguration of the building without demolition
waste.
Architects must consider, writes Jonathan Hughes, whether to think of buildings as complete
artifacts or perpetual works-in-progress.
1.1.2. CONCLUSION
This research introduces the buildings as open building systems composed from
flexible and demountable components and subassemblies systematized into levels of control,
respecting different building functions and life circle of different components and materials.
Technical levels are used to systematize building components and subsystems into building
system configuration. Technical levels represent integration of functional levels and allow
easy access for fast cycling components that change rapidly. Building design according to
independent functions through independent levels of technical composition help to identify
independent elements that have different use and technical life cycle, and more importantly to
allow independence of elements that have huge disproportion between functional use life and
technical life cycle, what makes them even more disassembly sensitive than the others. The
levels that have longer durability (the slow cycling levels / Durmisevic, 2006) will be
designed and constructed independently from less durable levels (the fast cycling levels /
Durmisevic, 2006)- partitioning and interior partitions walls will be separated from bearing
and load bearing walls.
Systematization of building parts into different levels according to main design aspects
(functional, technical, spatial, and physical) is to reduce interrelated connections between
functional and technical levels within building. Fast changing functional levels may provoke
demolition of slower changing technical levels. When the building layout doesnt work
according to occupant requirements and load bearing partitions cant be rearranged, necessity
for changes at the level of interior partitions will affect integrity of slower changing functional
levels (load bearing structure) because in that case interior partitions deal with more than one
function (partitioning and bearing). This may result in demolition of some building parts as
well. In order to avoid this dependence, slow levels should be independent, such as building
structure that should become more flexible and open-ended.
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1.2.
What is Multifamily Open Building?
Developments toward Multifamily Open Building stand to support tenants rights

within industrial production of housing and industrial building systems.
Multifamily Open Building is a new approach to be applied in multifamily building
design and construction process. Open Building principles and strategies stand for participantcentered open architecture and for reorganization of the building process to support
building adaptability, according to different users requirements. In new residential Open
Building practice is established infill (Habraken , 1976)- fit-out (Kenball, 2004) level
dwelling units level, as changeable and user responsive (fig 10). The infill may be
determined for each individual unit without affecting the building structure. Independent
decisions on the support level involve building parts which are common to all occupants.
Main support subsystems in multifamily building are: load bearing structure, building
common mechanical and conveyance systems, public areas and also building faade. The
infill typically comprises all components specific to the dwelling units: partitioning;
equipment; unit heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems; and all ducts, pipes and
cables as the parts of individual unit services, finishing and equipment.
The building interacts with inhabitants at the infill level (inhabitants define the infill
level), the tenant organization is responsible for the support level, and the whole community
is responsible for the tissue levels.
Fig 10: Distinction between a Base Building and a Fit-Out Level (Kendall)
Figure 10 shows the support that concerns what is shared by everyone and infill
concerns what is decided by each tenant independently.
Multifamily Open Building approach is introduced as an extension of open building
concept to achieve spatial and structural building transformations based on open system
method in multifamily housing. Every new transformation means an adaptation of the
building according to the changes in the life of its occupants.
An open buildingapproach enables a more dynamic balance between physical
assets and changing household inputs and status over time. ( Kendall, 2005)
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To make that possible the support must be kept physically distinct from its less
permanent infill. To enable the independence of the infill, buildings can not be built as a
single integrated finished products of industrial components and decisions. Infill system and
its parts will be changed many times throughout the life cycle of the building in which it is
placed. Therefore support should be designed and installed for flexibility of independent
layout, construction, partial transformations and replacement. Independent decisions at the
infill level stands for longer durability of the support by extending building lifespan.
The most important question that residential open architecture advocates is:
How do we design and built multifamily buildings to support:
STABILITY - in respect to long term interests of the community and sustainability
in regenerative residential environment - and
CHANGE - in respect to individual occupant requirements?(Kendall, 2003)
***
1.2.1 Main Problem definition

The real problem in multifamily housing appeared after the WWII with Mass
Production of housing. Under the term Mass Housing, were built many multifamily
buildings mostly in precast concrete panels and skeleton frames (Fig. 11). The huge demand
for dwelling units required an economic and fast solution. Solution was a uniform building as
a finished product made by standardized components and subsystems. Final result was the
thousands of hundreds of dwelling units that couldnt be transformed and adapted according
to different requirements for changes during the time.
Fig 11: Review- Industrialization of the multifamily housing after the IIWW
Multifamily building as a finished product is a synonym for the building where

different building parts are fixed together. Closed system could be described by fixed
integration of all building components at connections. In such buildings, elements are very
dependent since they are assembled with no regard to different life circle and different
functional purposes they have in the building. In order to replace one component the relations
with other components have to be disturbed or completely demolished. Typical examples
have mechanical and wiring pipes and ducts embedded into the load bearing structure.
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Usually load bearing elements are placed in the middle of the building span and even as the
partition walls in prefabricated concrete panel constructions. Obviously, it is impossible to
remove the partitions without disturbing the mechanical system, or adapt the mechanical
wirings without completely destroying the partition wall. Finally we cant change anything in
building layout if the interior partition is load bearing wall, except the total building
demolition (fig 12).
Fig 13: CLOSED SYSTEM
Fig 12: Demolition of Mass Housing building (Kaptejins 1992)

Left: Diagram of functional and technical dependences
The main characteristic of most of conventional systems is that they are built in a form
of closed (static) systems, due to the fixed integration of technical systems into functional
building systems. Figure 13 demonstrates the closed system.
Closed Building Systems are designed and built:
Without FUNCTIONAL DECOMPOSITION (two or more functions are
integrated into one building element). (fig. 14)
Fig.14: Closed Building System: Functional dependency
CLOSED HIERARCHIES of different elements / traditionally all building

elements are closely related to each other creating dependent hierarchy within the
structure. Embedded materials into the permanently fixed (closed) subsystems (fig
13, 12)
Without SYSTEMATIZATION AND BASE ELEMENT SPECIFICATION

between building elements / many relations between finished assemblies and
components within the building system. (fig 15).
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Fig 15: Granollers Social Housing, Spain, 2007: a) detail of horizontal section of the faade angle; b) detail
of vertical section between interior partition wall and floor slab
High complicity of connection between elements without INTERFACE

GEOMETRY / FIXED JOINTS (fig 15)
Traditional brick masonry way of building on site was literary translated by
industrial technologies into concrete masonry work with the components made at the
assembly line. The real problem is that right now the building multifamily housing is done at
ever higher costs, longer schedules, and lower quality. Many of the multifamily buildings
today dont support the transformations and cant be adapted. These buildings have to be
demolished. Process of demolition has many additional problems (fig 12, 17):
Production of waste
High amount of embodied energy.
High value of operational and demolition costs.
Fig. 16: The large concrete panel with

dimensions about 6 to 12 m and order of about 5
tons of weight was the main logo of the European
reconstruction after the WWII.
Advantages RESUME:
The application of mass production system got to:
Increase the construction level at the level of existing needs, at least from a quantitative
standpoint.
Reduce costs or at least control them.
Check and improve the quality of the building by industrial production.
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Projects with minimal formal variations to reduce the number of different elements.
Lineal housing blocks, to avoid changing the ways of the tower cranes
Design the structure spans to meet the transport condition.
Fig. 17: Mass Housing Building and process of demolition
Fig.18
Cross-bearing structure by large
concrete panels without any flexibility
on the floor plan (Foto J. Salas).
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Disadvantage RESUME:
Zero "flexibility" of floor plan distribution: also the partition panels formed part of the
cross-bearing supporting concrete structure (fig. 18)
Elements of the systems were not interchangeable. All building parts were fixed
together without demountable joints. (fig. 15)
The elements of the different systems were not interchangeable. One component is not
possible to replace with some components from different producer.
The system of large concrete panels is made without a possibility to replace
components. This system is considered completely closed.
CONCLUCION
The main characteristic of most of conventional systems is that they are built in a form
of closed (static) systems, due to the fixed integration of technical and functional systems
(levels). The problem is based on a wrong focused decision for building the multifamily
housing as a short-time view of the current state of housing, and not on a long-term survey of
users needs and market conditions. Therefore, most apartment blocks have to be demolished
because of their inability to adapt to new requirements.
Conventional building structures usually follow the pattern of fixed integration of
industrial products into closed systems-system that cant be transformed. (see ANEX 1:
Social Housing in Spain Catalua / STATE-OF-THE-ART).
In the multifamily building, dwelling units are expected to be transformable and the
structure should be the flexible framework. The new vision of the design and building process
stands for achieving the flexibility and adaptability of the dwellings layout according to user
requirements.Infill level will be user responsive and completely independent from building
structure.
***
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1.2.2. MAIN OBJECTIVES
Conventional multifamily buildings are not designed and built for change. For that
reason every transformation within the building has to do with demolition of parts of a
building or sometimes whole built structure. In order to increase the buildings transformation
capacity the building design and construction has to focus on systematization of building
elements according to independent levels.
It has to be consider how could be accessed and replaced parts of existing
building systems and components, and how should be designed and integrated building
systems in order to transform them later on.
Open Building approach had introduced the participation and user choice as a
new factor in design and building of multifamily housing. The building process has become
more customer-focused. New dynamics in use and user participation in design process need
more flexibility of the building layout. Infill level (dwelling units) will be considered the
systems composed of independent subsystems for easy replacement, reconfiguration or
components exchangeability. The base structure framework has to support the transformations
of individual dwelling.
Design process cannot be observed independently from building process, since
transformations of space are directly related to the technical composition of the building.
Adaptability of spatial systems is difficult to achieve if:
Interfaces between the components in the system, are not designed as
demountable.
The two or more functions are integrated into one building component.
There is large number of relations between components within the system.
The elements are closely related to each other creating closed hierarchies. In
closed hierarchy the replacement of one component will disturb many components
and assemblies. In open hierarchy building parts are kept independent from each
other.
Term TRANSFORMATION is introduced for the dynamic behavior of multifamily
open building system on spatial, technical and material level. Three basic aspects of
transformation are elimination, addition and relocation(Habraken, 1976) of system
components. To reach building transformations is introduced open-dynamic building system
based on.
Spatial transformation (implies functional decomposition);
Structural transformation (implies technical decomposition);
Material/element transformation (implies physical decomposition).
Design characteristics of dynamic building system to be developed are: (fig 19)
1. FUNCTIONAL DECOMPOSITION
2. OPEN HIERARCHIES
3. SYSTEMATIZATION
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4. BASE ELEMENT SPECIFICATION
5. COMPONENT`S INTERFACE
6. TYPE OF CONNECTION
Fig. 19: Design characteristics of dynamic building system
For the new generation multi-unit housing-in-progress the existing tools, applied in
the design and building process need to be updated to reach spatial and technical flexibility
for transformations according to different users requirements.
Main objective of the multifamily Open Building approach is spatial and
structural building transformation to extend the lifespan in use of multi-family
buildings. Open Building principles and strategies will be applied in reconstruction of
design and building process to reach the flexibility for transformation on different
building levels. Every new transformation means an adaptation of the residential
space according to the changes in the life the occupants.
Fig x: Open Building conceptual and strategy framework
17 and strategy framework

Fig 20: Open Building conceptual

September 2011
OBJECTIVES FOR BUILDING DESIGN:

Design the building to provide affordable, customized and flexible residential space
improving the quality of residents life / Functional decomposition.
Design building layout with possibility of functional decomposition of building parts
to support transformations.
Design building infrastructure to support transformations.
OBJECTIVES FOR BUILDING PROCESS:
Search for new, more efficacious, safe, flexible and sustainable structural system /
ITEGRATED- IFD (Industrialized, Flexible, Demountable) building system.
Organization of the building process according to levels of control (building
framework and dwelling units).
Building process based on integrated design method.
OBJECTIVES FOR THE DESIGN AND BUILDING PROCESS:
Application of open system method to multifamily housing design and construction.
For the new generation of transformable housing the existing tools, applied in the
building process need to be updated to reach demountable properties and to allow
building transformations according to different requirements.
Every new phase in building use implies new requirements for spatial organization.
This involves transformations of the building and means that after each use phase, an
assessment-building system should be design and built to indicate the building
suitability for new requirements. If there is no suitable technical solution or economic
justification for changes, the buildings reach the end of their lifespan before the end of their
technical lifespan.
Design and demolition/disassembly phases of the building depend on the technical,
spatial and physical characteristics of the building system. Technical refers to how the
building parts are put together; spatial refers to how the building is designed and physical
deals with material and how the material is used. New building process is searching for the
spatial and technical system flexibility.
Multi-unit building should be design to support disassembly of building parts and
should be supported by technical flexibility and demountable properties, aimed spatial and
structural transformations.
1.2.3. How the multifamily Open Building works? / ANNEX 1

User participation in housing design requires independent level for its decisionmaking (Habraken, 1976) and separation of the dwelling units from building framework.
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Individual occupants decisions stand to transform individual living space independently from
their neighbors requirements and their dwelling units, and independently from building
structure. All family members develop their own life scenario in multifamily open building.
The multifamily building transformation- T can be defined as a sum of independent
dwelling units transformations t. That is to conclude that building system should be designed
and constructed to support independent transformations of dwelling units in time.(equation 1)
T(constant) = t1 + t2+ t3 + t4+ t5+ +tn n- number of dwelling units.
(1)
Building transformation T is constant when the building infrastructure is permanent

system but designed to be flexible for the dwelling unit transformations. Building structure is
considered flexible if is possible to achieve different transformations of independent dwelling
units. Flexibility of building structure and main mechanical and wiring system has been
gained at the design stage and was supported during the building process according to open
building development strategies and open building system method.
T(variable) = t1 + t2+ t3 + t4+ t5+ +tn n- number of dwelling units.
(2)
Building transformation T is variable when both levels transform. Support level

transforms to achieve more flexibility at the infill level (equation 2). As we have already
explained, transformations of residential space stand to support tenants requirements.
Transformations of building infrastructure stand to:
To support transformations of residential space
Support community decisions and market conditions.
Support industrial technology and its innovations.
Fig. 21 : Siedlung Brombeeriweg, Zrich, Switzerland (architect: EM2N Architekten, 2003): Transformations in the dwelling
unit`s layout
On the figure 21 twenty-five scenarios show the variability in plan that can be achieved through the internal rearrangement of
walls. This potential makes it possible for the building, to react to changing demand and needs of new and existing tenants.
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September 2011
The multifamily building transformation T depends on the higher level conditions

(urban level conditions). Permanent building structure should be designed to allow flexibility
for transformations at the lower levels. Every dwellings transformation is independent in
time, space and in the building framework.
In the 60 Residential Open Building approach developed by Niklas Habraken and
organization SAR (Stichting Architecten Research), offered a separations of permanent
building parts from building parts that change more rapidly (individual units inside the
permanent structural framework). This is known as SI (support-infill) system.
The SAR approach is now treated by the Open Building movement, rallied under the
Working Commission W-104 of the International Council for Research and Innovation in
Building and Construction (CIB). The support is called Basic Building by the CIB W-104
specialists (Kendall 2004) and Detachable Units are called infill.
The support would normally be limited to the structure, the collective circulations,
the wet services main conduits and envelope. The building is completed with the Detachable
Units, which include the partitions and the service & equipment sub-systems. These Units
can be interchangeable and in most cases installed by the occupants themselves. The
Detachable Units are under the control of support, which provides a series of served and
serving zones together with intermediate margins that can be allocated to one or another zone.
Building division into different parts will allow independent decisions, applications,
replacement, and substitution during the whole lifespan of the building. Systematization of
building parts to support two mayor groups of participants (the dwellers and the society) is
done according to: BUILDING LEVELS and BUILDING SYSTEM.
Support and infill levels and SI building system (fig. 22) are introduces in
Multifamily Housing design and construction process as completely independent levels.
Support and Infill are used to support customer choice within industrial production of
housing and building transformations to extend lifespan in building use. SI Building System
is open system based on independent and exchangeable subsystems and components.
Fig. 22: SUPPORT and INFILL levels and SI building system,

image by Komo (2000)
Building levels are used to organize different building parts respecting their life circle.
Two main levels are established: Support level and Infill level. Support is building
structure and common building services, should be designed and constructed to support
transformations of residential space. All dwelling unit in one building belong to infill
level(fig 23).
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September 2011
Fig. 23: Flexus House,

Takanaka Corporation Japan, 2000,
Support Structure / Base Building
Detachable Units / Infill
Organization of the building parts into levels is done according to building system
hierarchy, different lifespan of the elements and different decision-making that corresponds to
each part. Different levels will be established according to different production and
construction method to be applied in the building process. In multifamily housing occupant`s
decisions at the infill level dont affect the level of base building (building support).
Within the urban structure, independent decisions on the support level will affect
load bearing structure, buildings common mechanical systems, public areas as well its other
skin. Individual tenant changes can and should leave Support unaffected. Systems and
parts associated with the infill level will change more rapidly in 10 to 20 years and
inevitably have to be changed many times throughout the life cycle of the building.
Transformations will occur according to tenant requirements for technical and functional
upgrade of their leaving space, or by changes in the levels of support.
Multifamily Open Building projects use two levels of decision-making to:
Support Participation and user choice for more dynamics in use.
Support decision making of all participants in design and building process.
Subdivide technical, aesthetic, financial and social decisions.
Support different life circle of building parts and components.
***
1.2.4. Some basic questions
What is exactly the building framework and what belongs to individual

units?
The separation of dwelling units from building structure is done to allow tenants
decision-making for its own living space.
What is the role of occupant, what is the role of architect and engineer,
and what is the role of the construction industry?
Different roles mean different participants decisions in building design and building
process. For different participants should be allowed making decision on different level
during the building life span.
What is the relationship between the building and industrial system?
Building system is an assembly of different subsystems and components. All
subsystems are industrial systems. In the future work we will search for an integrated building
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September 2011
system according to building design to support all future transformations according to new
requirements.
What is the difference between the building system and open system?
Building system is an assembly of different subsystems and components. Open
system is composed from independent subsystems and supports building assembly and
disassembly. Independency of system components supports the replacement of different
components according to the needs. At the dwelling unit level individual user will make
changes in its dwelling system using demountable properties of open system.
***
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September 2011
CHAPTER 2: Evolution of Open Building approach

in Multifamily Housing
2.1. Residential Open Buildings: First initiatives and relevant experiences

2.1.1. The Netherlands case
2.1.2. The Japan Case
2.2. From Mass Housing to Residential Open Building
2.2.1. 1920s: The Minimal Dwelling in modern times
2.2.2. 1930s - 1960s: The Industrialization of Housing and Mass
Housing Production.
2.2.3. 1970s: Open Building and Participation and User Choice
2.3. The main transition in the conceptual framework
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September 2011
CHAPTER 2: Evolution of Open Building approach in

multifamily housing
2.1. Multifamily Open Buildings: First initiatives and relevant
experiences
The Supports movement first arose in Europe and Japan in direct response to the effects of
post-World War II mass housing production.
2.1.1. The Netherland case

The first reaction on closed systems and mass housing production theory is the SAR
(Stichting Architecten Reseach) founded in 1960 by N. John Habraken.
In Habrakens book De dragers en de mensen, 1961 (later published in English as
Supports: an alternative to mass housing), he proposed a radical alternative to existing mass
housing in the Netherlands. He had in mind to offer the occupant of a mass-produced
dwelling the opportunity to make a personal statement about his leaving space, and for that,
he introduced the concept of support and infill building levels. The support is
considered permanent and the infill has been separated to allow different changes in tame
according the tenants requirements (fig 1).
Everything that contributes to the realization of an alternative to mass housing
methods, for multifamily housing production became the subject of the SAR theory and
studies.
The SAR method considers a residential building like a mechanism of two
independent parts (fig 1): The Support / "Support system" (Habraken 1976) / "Base Building
(CIB W104, 2005), under the responsibility of the community and is capable of holding x
1dwelling units, designed as a demountable and removable systems . The "Infill" (CIB W104,
2005) / "Detachable Units" (Habraken 1976) / is the sphere of responsibility of the tenants.
Detachable unit has an ability to change the distribution and to renovate according to the
specific needs of a particular user.
24
Fig 1: Mass Housing and total building system (left); support-infill building system (right)

September 2011
Supports provide serviced space for occupancy. Supports can be constructed using
many alternative technical systems or materials. In all cases, they provide space to be divided
into dwellings. It results from analyses in which the design team proceeds through a series of
steps to develop the best SUPPORT DESIGN - one with optimum capacity for dwelling
variation.(fig. 2)
Fig 2: Support structure design

Left: Dwelling of Tomorrow, Wohnen Morgen, Ottokar Uhl and Jos P. Weber, Austria, 1976
Middle: NEXT 21 Prototype Multi-Family Housing Complex , Yositika UTIDA, Shu-Ko-Sha, Osaka, Japan, 1994
Right: Flexsus House 22', Takenaka Corporation, Japan, 2000
Support-Infill (SI) method has been developed and described in Variations: The
Systematic Design of Supports (Habraken et al., 1976), which states:
The basic concept of a support presupposes that at least two participants are making
decisions independently and sequentially. First there is the designer of the support who
provides an infrastructure in which, at a later date, the resident will create a dwelling using
an independent decision making process. What options does the first party leave the second?
How can these be analyzed and annotated? Secondly, there is the problem of coordinating the
design of the infill which is used to make independent dwellings in the support.
These are two separate design processes that operate independently but in parallel,
separated physically but not necessarily in time. How can these efforts be coordinated? The
designer of the support operates in a social framework in which his work is tested against
generally accepted standards about what constitutes well designed dwellings, as well as the
more specific standards of the client, the investor and developer of the building which will be
leased or sold to a set of occupants who are not yet known. At least three participants are
involved: the designer, the regulatory official, and the client. They have to comply with
clearly formulated norms and standards in such a way that these can be effectively applied to
compare different series of possible uses of the support. Finally the design of a support
involves a number of technical experts: the architect, structural, electrical, sanitary, heating
and air-conditioning engineers, and builder. As in any other building their various efforts
have to be integrated, but in this case they all operate within narrow cost and space limits
while having to arrive at a flexible solution. If a predetermined floor plan is not available to
coordinate their services, other means of communication and coordination are needed.
The basic building systems which form the Support may be grouped in different ways.
Additional systems may also be appropriated to the Support. Ultimately, all Supports include
a structural framework, facade and mechanical systems.
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September 2011
Structural framework
The most of Open Building projects in Netherlands used different variations of
reinforced concrete structural frames. They were of two basic assembly types: concrete slab,
beam and column (fig 3), or concrete slab supported by concrete walls. Many use almost
entirely cast-in-place concrete but many examples include both: pre-cast or post-tensioned
elements and cast-in-place concrete; or masonry bearing walls and concrete slabs either castin-place or utilizing precast planks.
The tunnel form Support is used throughout the Netherlands in OB projects as well
as in conventional residential construction. It is economical and suited to rapid and systematic
construction and for the OB it was carefully designed. Long spans are good for residential
space and offer a high degree of unit layout variation.
Dorine van Hoogstraten on Habrakens basic idea 1998: The support structure itself,
which is not housing, can be seen as building land in the air, which contains connections for
electricity, sewage, and other general facilities. The support structure, for which the
community (government) bears responsibility, has a much longer life span than the dwelling
assembled within it and must, therefore, be independent of this dwelling. The architect
designs support structures, and the urban designer organizes them into a city. The support is
not a neutral structure; on the contrary, it clears the way for outstanding talent in the field of
design. (Housing for the Millions: John Habraken and the SAR (1960-2000), p. 92)
Fig.3 1952_Kristalbouw| Jan Trapman | Amsterdam |The Netherlands

Left: Reinforced concrete structural frame(concrete slab, beam and column)
Right: Dwelling unit`s layout
.
Mechanical systems
In OB projects, building mechanical systems, are separated completely from building
structure on two levels: Support and infill. A significant portion of the mechanical systems,
particularly the horizontal distribution of water, drainage, gas, electricity, data and signal
wires, heating and cooling now occur at the infill level.Support cabling, ducts, and pipes are
placed in vertical mechanical shafts inside the building.
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September 2011
***
Functional levels and SAR theory about zones and margins for the
multifamily building design.
Distribution diagrams on which operates SAR methodology are characterized by the

presence of zones and margins (fig. 4)which help to design and distribute different
functional areas within the multifamily building. These correspond to fixed bands within
which the spaces were being designed. For example, rooms can be placed on one or more
areas, but they will finish in the margins. In Respect to these zones will be used for
functional distribution and margins for functional adaptability of dwelling layout.
Distribution of functions in the building layout according to division in zones and margins
introduces systematization in building design. Different spatial zones and functions will be
supported with corresponding systematization into technical levels of subsystems and
components. Groping of housing functions will divided the floor layout into independent
spatial levels.
Fig.4:
Zone : An area designed for private use inside and adjacent to
an exterior wall
Zone : Internal area designed for private use and is not adjacent
to an exterior wall
Zone : may be internal or external, but is meant for public use.
Zone : external area is designed for private use
1974. N.J. Habraken. The systematic design of supports.

Division of the space in bands: margins and zones.
According to zones and margins conventional multifamily building in concrete

panel system can be converted into more dynamic systems with the special emphases on the
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September 2011
building structure. Building structure will be designed as an independent demountable system
into independent spatial zone. Schemes 1-3 illustrates the building structure design according
to established spatial zones.
SCHEME 1:
Transversal load bearing support structure / low-rise building
SCHEME 2:
Support system BIJLMER / LOW-RISE BUILDING
SCHEME 3:
TWINS Support System / low-rise building
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September 2011
The success of the theory lies in the type of grouping of the dwelling functions as
the essence for the support-infill subsystems distribution into different zones and
margins. Some of the zones are permanent and some are more adaptable.Margins are
considered to support the principal functional zones, their extensions and adaptability.
The best Japanese multifamily practice, NEXT 21 is designed with marginal band
between the support structure and infill-detachable unit.(fig5). This zone supports both:
the infill layout for constant transformation, and the support subsystems, structure and
communal services to stay permanent..
Fig 5: margin zone in NEXT 21 multifamily building
NEXT 21 margin zone is used for dwelling units spatial transformations to bridge
the difference between the permanent support structure and independent infill content.
Figure 6 demonstrates the overlapping between infill zone and margin zone as part of the
transformations in dwellings layout.
Fig 6: Zones and Margins in NEXT 21 Multifamily Housing
The link between general-spaces and spaces for specific use, with service areas are
distributed in margin area. Margin area allow to differentiate the support from infill
and to design it to be suitable for certain types of rooms. Leave the main residential area free
from support elements allows for the users to design their own housing unit. They valued
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September 2011
parts of the area more than another, making decisions about the position of different types of
spaces and functions.
Within the Netherlands, OBOM and its followers focus on extending, developing and
implementing SAR models of Support/Infill housing, albeit with a more technical orientation.
The first generation of Supports in Europe and Japan incorporated flexible column-free
spaces.
The Japan case

Developments toward Open Building in Japan
In Japan, principally because seismic conditions, the skeleton has been more the focus
of attention in the evolution of Open Building. At least six criteria are commonly used in
evaluating Support structural systems (Fukao, 1998):
durability
basic adaptability of living space
capacity for enlargement of dwelling space
flexibility for changing dwelling layouts and interior finish
adaptability for elderly occupants
Engineering design of S/I housing in Japan has generated many important support
skeleton variants. Among those constructed of reinforced concrete, are the following types:
1. Rigid beam/slab/column type.(fig.7)
a. continuous flat slab over beams
b. depressed slab between concrete beams (HUDc)
Fig. 7: Conventional structural system for residential buildings in Japan. Drawing

courtesy of Building Research Institute, Ministry of Construction.
Fig. 8:Inverted Slab/Beam Support structure. Drawing courtesy of Building

ResearchInstitute, Ministry of Construction.
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September 2011
2. Inverted slab/beam/column (fig.8)

3. Thickened, voided flat slab and columns (Shimizu)
4. Bearing wall structure
a. continuous flat slab over beams
b. depressed slab between alternating beams (HUDc)
5. Flat beam structure (HUDc)
6. z-beam/slab/column type (HUDc)
The construction of apartment buildings began immediately after the Great
Earthquake in 1923, when reinforced concrete began to be used for buildings. Fig 9: shows
Harumi Apartment Building, which was built in 1958 in skeleton construction with reinforced
concrete column and beams. The interior construction was designed employing the
conventional production organization a traditional Japanese wooden house was built in a
reinforced concrete skeleton.( Fig 10)The building was thus constructed with the support
and the infill being physically separated.
Fig 9: Harumi Apartment Building, 1958 /

image by Seiichi Fukao
Fig 10: Interior of Harumi Project / Traditional

Japanese wooden house / image by Seiichi Fukao
Construction method using large precast concrete panel was also developed, but
skeleton system allowed more freedom for the infill content. The traditional Japans wooden
house was introduced as the infill level for SI apartment project. Traditional Japanese
wooden house was built in a reinforced concrete skeleton as an open system for diversity on
the infill level.
The floor plan of the constructed building is planed to have a large space in the
skeleton to be divided freely with partition panels or to be designed various types of rooms
with movable partitions. In accordance with this increase, organizations specialized in infill
for apartment buildings were created, which made the interior of apartment buildings and that
of wooden houses more different. In 1971 was the first introduction of systems building in
Japan. SI apartment project were developed according the system buildingcomposed from
subsystems and components.
Associated with this movement the Japan Housing Corporation shifted its focus from
technological development, in particular the development of building structures using
industrial prefabricated technologies.
All the assembly lines demonstrate the capacity to accommodate the requirements of
each client through flexibility of the tooling and combinability, reaching a high level of mass
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September 2011
customization. Each manufactured house in Japan is designed and produced according to the
buyers needs and demands, while the design components are fully standardized or mass
produced. (Richard and Noguchi 2006)(fig.11)
Fig12: KEP system catalogue

/ image by Seiichi Fukao
Fig 11: KEP experimental Skeleton, 1974

The KEP system developed 1974 (fig. 11), consisted of four subsystems. The first was
a system for external walls, called a shelter. The second was an interior system, the third a
system for sanitary facilities, and the fourth a system for ventilation and air conditioning.
Performance specifications were set for each of the subsystems and manufacturers developed
their products according to the performance specifications (fig.12).
Figure 13(a,b,c,d) presents an apartment building called Free Space, designed by
Kudan Architect office at the request of the Japan Housing Corporation. The building has
three spaces on the north, center and south sides, and the reinforced concrete floor slab in the
center space is 200 mm lower than the north and south spaces. The floor finishing panel is
placed 300 mm higher than the upper surface of the slab, allowing free layout of drain and
water-supply pipes in the space between the floor panels and the slab. Also there is a light
well, where vertical plumbing is set up. Since there are no shared pipes running vertically in
each apartment, the apartment rooms as well as sanitary zones can be freely remodeled.
Fig 13a: JHC Free Space,

Fig 13b: Free Space (skeleton),

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Fig 13d: Free Space (plan & section),

September 2011
The next project called Century Housing System (CHS, 1980) aimed to achieve longer
life of entire multifamily buildings and examined the new option of independent development
of building components of different durability. It determined the expected durability of
various types of components and set interface rules for each type. The project also proposed
not to install vertical common plumbing in the center of apartments. Figure 14 shows the
building named Teradamachi Apartment supplied by Osaka City Housing Corporation, where
the apartment unit has a recessed water facility zone as shown in (fig.15).
Fig.14: CHS Teradamachi Apartment

Fig.15: CHS Teradamachi Apartment: Plan and section

Figure 16 presents Green Village Utsukidai open building cooperative housing project
constructed in 1992 coordinated by Japan Housing Corporation. The building has a large void
in the center of each unit, which is used as a space for vertical plumbing. As shown in a figure
17 , the central slab of the apartments adjacent to the void is recessed to create a space for
horizontal plumbing. The planning and design of about 100 apartments was done by many
architects, and the apartments have different room layouts and different interior finishes.
Conclusion
Fig 16: Green Village Utsukidai, Japan Housing
Corporation,1992 / image by Seiichi Fukao
Fig 17: Green Village Utsukidai: Plan and section

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September 2011
NEXT21 built in 1994, Osaka, Japan, has produced a substantial reaction in Japan,
highlighted the idea of skeleton- infill separation (fig. 18). The concept emphasizes physical
separation of apartment building components by their life circle. This project is the best
example of SI building systems. This I stands for infill and S for skeleton, not for
support. S for the support has introduced the new idea of skeleton design for high level
flexibility of building frame.
Fig.18: NEXT 21, Osaka, Japan, 1994:

SI(support-infill) system
Fig.19: NEXT 21 dwelling unit number 302 (drown by Kozo Kadovaki)
Figure 19 demonstrates the dwelling unit number 302 and its layout organization. Its
clearly expressed the permanent construction module (7.2x 7.2 m) and the flexible
extension of infill content outside this module into the margin zone. The dwelling
arrangement based on open building system of demountable partitions and independent and
exchangeable water supply pipes and ducts, has been changed many times.
In 2000, Takenaka Corporation and others constructed an experimental SI
multifamily building Flexsus 22 in Aichi Prefecture in the House Japan Project (Fig.20). They
employed a seismic-isolated structure, eliminating beams, to realize the building frame with a
high degree of freedom. The shared pipe shafts were installed on the north side of the corridor
and there was a horizontal plumbing zone above the slab of the corridor (fig. 21).
Fig.20: Flexsus House 22, 2000

/image by Seiichi Fukao
Fig. 21: Flexsus House 22 (corridor)

/image by Seiichi Fukao
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September 2011
***
2.2.
From Mass Housing to Residential Open Building
Characteristics of multifamily open buildings and methods to achieve flexibility for

transformations are evaluated with reference to the Open Building approach. The three
phases in the evolution of multifamily open building in the twentieth century are introduced.
1920s:The Minimal Dwelling and Modernism

1930s - 1960s: The Industrialization of Housing and Mass Housing Production
1970s: Open Building and Participation and User Choice
This research focuses on the examples that reflect open building strategies in design
and construction process as a key project in the transition from closed-static to open
dynamic building systems. Flexibility is one of the main Open Building conceptual strategies
applied first for the building layout. The key words: standardization, minimum dwelling,
base structures, polyvalent organizations, adaptable space, modular design, support
and infill system, customization, user participation and integrated design, inform the
transitions from flexible building layout to permanent flexibility of total building system.
1920s: The Minimal Dwelling in Modernism
Schneider and Till emphasize that: architects, particularly in the 1920s, were
questioning existing patterns of living and approached the building as something that could
change over time and something that could adapt to the wishes of its inhabitants (2005, p.
158). In respect to this, the first examples built in 1920s and 1930s, demonstrate the first
intentions in developing the flexibility in multifamily buildings.
Concept of flexibility and minimal dwelling
Minimal Dwelling, reflects the first transition from conventional way of building to
new systematic design and construction process, according to changes in the lifestyles of
individual users. The idea of minimal dwelling was to find out the limited space
standards of housing to satisfy the housing demand. The concept of flexibility played a
crucial role in the development of minimal dwelling. Schneider and Till set out that if
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September 2011
there was less space, then that space needed to be used in as efficient and flexible manner as
possible. (2007, p. 16).
a)
Fig: 22: The Weissenhofsiedlung

Experimental Housing Project, Mies van der
Rohe, Stuttgart, Germany
a)
b)
c)
Design layout of building support concrete s

tructure
Design layout of dwelling units: many
transformations in of the residential space
The Weissenhofsiedlung Experimental
Housing Project: Outside look
c)
b)
Open Building under the term Flexible Housing and Minimal Dwelling
Flexibility is a key term for understanding an Open Building approach. Flexible

Housing corresponds to housing that can adapt to the changing needs of users(Till &
Schneider, 2005, p. 287). It includes the possibility for adaptability of housing layout prior the
occupation or ability for change over time. Minimal dwelling was designed and built with
flexibility of architectural layout for achieving adaptability of unit space according the
occupant needs and more flexibility for building structure for achieving changes in building
layout.
Minimal dwellingwas built with permanent building structure, but was designed to
allow flexibility for the interior space transformations, leaving the residential area free from
load bearing elements (fig. 22 a). Introducing the different stages of flexibility, starting from
architectural layout flexibility and flexibility of some building parts to flexibility of total
building, we are reaching the best Open Multifamily Building practices.
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September 2011
Minimal dwelling and Free plan
The first approach in the design of minimal dwelling is to determine the base
structures which are designed as permanent with special emphases on a variety of
configurations and changes of the residential space. Free organization of the building layout is
known as a free plan. The multifamily building structure is considered flexible permanent
boundary for flexibility of the dwelling space by removable partitions and interior
rearrangement of the space. Free plan shows a regular grid of load bearing columns integrated
into the layer of the external envelope against which the internal partition walls can be built.
The differentiates between the load bearing column and non-load bearing wall, which can be
removed or added according to a user's needs leads the movement to total separation between
the building structure and dwellings.(Related works : The Weissenhofsiedlung housing project
by Mies van der Rohe; The Hufeisensiedlung multi-storey apartment block. (fig.22)
The Weissenhofsiedlung experimental housing project, designed by Mies van der Rohe
for the Werkbund Exhibition Die Wohnung, Stuttgart 1927 is representative example of
minimal dwelling and free plan layout (fig.22). Van der Rohe designed the permanent
components of the building in order to provide an indeterminate open space to be arranged by
the users. The large spans of column and beam system with perimeter walls, and the
infrastructure for the service spaces of the blocks were predetermined and built. Blocks are
configured as frame construction, which Mies van der Rohe thought to be the most
appropriate form of construction to balance the fixed needs for efficient forms of construction
with the changing needs of its occupants (Schneider & Till, 2007, p. 20). In this way, he
granted freedom to users by allowing them to fill the free plan with light infill partitions
wherever they want (fig 23).
Fig.23: The Weissenhofsiedlung housing project by Mies van der Rohe, 1927
Variation of the some function in different units layouts
Conclusion
In 1920s and 1930s, there were two controversial approaches to flexibility in

architectural design reflected directly on building process and building system. On one hand,
there is a tendency to advocate the necessity of minimal dwellings designed in the form of
indeterminate building layout plan-free plan, and on the other hand, the tendency to support
more determinate new models of housing with technical and mechanical equipments and
fixed partition walls in the form of indeterminate use of the rooms Starting from 1930s, the
second tendencies have continued by adopting industrial solutions to construction techniques
in housing an provoked the Mass Housing production.
***
1930s - 1960s: The Industrialization of Housing and Mass Housing Production
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Mass Production of Housing and Total Building System.
While the first period was guided by social und cultural aspects, the second part
focused on the technical and economic aspects of housing production. New construction
techniques and industrial technologies, made a link between the minimal dwelling, and
industrial production resulting with mass housing (fig. . Huge demand for dwelling units
after the World War II, introduced new decisions about housing standardization,
normalization, rationalization, constructivism, functionalism, economy
prefabrication in building construction process. Most of postwar multifamily buildings were
built as a finished products with no possibility to be transformed and adapted to new users
requirements.
According to Le Corbusier, the standardized solutions in skeleton system called
Maison Dom-ino (1919) are offered. The industrial developments made possible
standardized and comparatively perfect types of production. They also led to a standardized
solution that is universally accepted as the proper and appropriate type of housing for all
human beings. From this point of view, the neutral skeleton system called Maison Dom-ino
(1919) by Le Corbusier can be regarded as one of the pioneering schemes for mass-produced
housing constructions and it cant be equaled with support. The skeleton support is
separated from the in-fill parts of the building that are added later.
Fig 24: A Support is not a Skeleton. Image courtesy

of N.J. Habraken
A Support is not a skeleton (fig.24) Habrakens expression is to underline that this

skeleton cant be neutral; it has to be designed and built for specific architecture layout.
Support is a physical set that offers space and possibility to make dwellings and stands as a
boundary conditions for the dwellings. A serviced plot of ground with regulated use,
building placement and size restrictions is, in fact, a limited sort of Support (Habraken,
1976).
Once erected, the form of the Support is closed in. The common services are all
installed. From the perspective of the community, the Support appears complete. Next to be
installed are different and independent dwelling layouts.
38
Fig. 25: Daigram: From Mass Housing to Residential Open Building

September 2011
The component, the subsystem
According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) a component is

any part of a system that, once placed where it belongs in the building immediately fulfils a
function that has been assigned to it in that building (structural, spatial, supply etc.).
The industrial technologies and techniques introduced the component as the base
element in mass production of building systems. Some values were added to control and to
coordinate the component to satisfy the efficiency of production for lower costs. Different
components were joined to form industrial subsystems. In Mass Housing production all
subsystems and components were fixed together in one closed system.
It is important to make this distinction, as there are many construction materials such
as brick that even though they are produced industrially do not fulfill the component issue. In
order for a brick to begin to work in the way load bearing wall or partitions work, many more
bricks are needed until the wall in question can be built in-situ (the brick fabric). Every
component has is function and from the moment it is installed, it fulfills its function,
otherwise it is not a component. One Brick as it has to be joined with thousand of bricks for
the load bearing purposes is a component of the system but it`s not an independent
component. Also the function of one brick is to be part of the load bearing wall, and for
difference, the reinforced concrete panel is a load bearing wall.
One brick, however industrialized it is, will never be considered a component of the
system as it does not support the weights in the way the load bearing wall does and of which
it forms a part. Obviously one brick in the load bearing brick wall is depending component in
the system. It serves its function in relation with other bricks. Prefabrication of the component
and assembly condition developed the idea of independent component. Independent
component can be replaced.
The Industrial components are jointed together to form the subsystem. The joint
conditions will be analyzed later on, but the most important state in make the joint is to make
a demountable joint. Demountable joint is a condition for Open Building System. More
independent subsystems and components will be joined to form IFD subsystems. IFD
subsystems is a customized product of the industrialized technologies for the Open
Building.
Support-Infill SI system
The process of standardization, led to the development of the modular design and
prototypes in housing. Habrakens Support and Infill method is applied for restructuring
of the building process developed in mass housing. He advocates in-built opportunity in
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residential blocks for a variety of types by making the architectural layout independent from
the structural system. This approach clime that the users are the important input in the design
process, thus buildings allow users to make adaptations of their dwellings in the future.
In brief, the support and infill system in the design of housing units seems to be
based on a separation of the structural system and the dwellings. Users have no right to
interfere to structural system while the infill system refers to configuration of the
detachable units according to users needs and wishes.
Related works:
Kristalbouw project (1952) by Jan Trapman (fig 26 )is an example of SupportInfill multifamily building. It is a concrete frame structure with an offset outer line of
balconies, which can be accessed via inner access units or open access galleries. Beside the
permanent components, the interior space is left open to be arranged according to the need of
future occupant.
Fig 26: Kristalbouw project (1952) by Jan Trapman, Amsterdam, The

Netherlands: Support structure and infill division of the building layout
Kallebck experimental housing (1960) by Erik Friberger, (fig.27). The support

structure is Kit of parts column and slab system. At the infill level were installed
demountable partition walls to allowed the users to make extension of their units by moving
the partition walls. In this way, architect allows user to participate in design process.
Fig.27: Kallebck experimental housing (1960) by Erik Friberger, Sweden: left: support structure; middle:infill
partitions and dwelling layouts; right; building faade
Flexible Housing versus Mass Housing

The basic interventions on building in Mass Housing for Flexible Housing:
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September 2011
1. Reduction of load bearing or solid internal partitions that blocked automatically the
possibility of future adaptation to achieve more indeterminate space with larger spans
and open plan allowing non-load bearing partitions to be installed in and removed
according to the needs.
2. Reduction of non-adaptable or non-accessible services.
3. Reduction of load bearing partitions with inserted services.
4. Elimination of tight-fit functionalism and rooms that are predetermined and can be
used in only one way, to provide more generic free space.
5. Restructuring of the building process excluding all the point expressed in advance.
1970s-: Open Building and Participation and User Choice
Innovations in design techniques for achieving flexibility allow users involvement in

the design stage. SI (support-infill) method for multifamily housing establishes the
infill level to be easy adaptable according the needs of the users and support level to be
flexible to support infill changes.Free plan and polyvalent space of infill layout
achieved the flexibility for user choice. Flexibility for choice in the individual unit layout
allows free arrangement of the individual dwellings.
Independent infill system allows displacement of the boundaries of the individual
dwellings by demountable partition walls. The use of standardized components allows
adaptation over time, in terms of replacement or additions. SI multifamily buildings and
industrialized construction technologies offer prefabricated components from which the users
can pick whatever they want to customize their dwellings.
The approaches to housing design related to flexibility and open building in the
twentieth century are discussed under three episodes. These episodes are labeled by Schneider
and Till (2007) according to the social, technical and economic dynamics in the twentieth
century. In the first epoch, the discussion was based on new models of housing schemes with
respect to minimal space standards. In the next epoch, the focus was shifted to standardized
construction models of houses. The last epoch, 1960s, introduced new themes such as
customization, individualization future intended design through user participation in
the design process.
This brief presentation of the developments in flexible housing under the term Open
Building, pointed to the changing demands such as the need for housing and limited space
standards, innovations in construction techniques and technology, and user participation in the
design stage.
***
2.3.
The main transitions in the conceptual framework: From Minimal dwelling to

Open Multifamily Building
The Main transitions in the conceptual framework will highlight different key spots in
development toward multifamily open building. Special emphases are done facing the
transitions referred to building structure and the major changes brought up with it.
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FP- FREE PLAN
Free plan and minimal dwelling highlighted the flexibility in building layout.
At the level of dwelling units is gained flexibility for tenants to arrange the dwelling layout
(interior partitions, function distribution) independently of building structure. Building
common services have been set around the building cores with the bathrooms and kitchen
permanent positioned. Main exit was the design and construction of building structure to
allow free residential space for different unit`s arrangements.
Resume:
Building structure is designed as permanent system, but flexible for dwelling unit
arrangement. Residential area is left open driving all or almost all load bearing mid-span
elements outside of interior space. On the fig 28 we see the building system based on load
bearing cores and column and beam skeleton system.
Fig.28: The Weissenhofsiedlung Experimental Housing Project, Mies van der Rohe, Stuttgart, Germany, 1927
FP (free plan)
SI System (support-infill)
SI (support-infill) buildings drive the concept one step toward clear separation
between building infrastructure (more permanent building parts) and dwelling units (infill).
Main attention is on the building support. The initial idea about the separation of building
structure was extended to building support. Support contains all permanent building parts:
building structure, common building services and the faade system. Permanent building parts
are separated from dwellings that change more rapidly. Separation of the components with the
different life circle stands for extension of the total building life span respecting the life of
long-lasting components while less durable can be replaced.
Fig.29 : 1960_ Kallebck Experimental Housing | Erik Friberger | Sweden:

Left: Load bearing structure and commn building services
Right: Free arrangement of the infill layout
Resume:
Building structure is permanent part of the building. Common services and building faade
are considered permanent building parts as well. Permanent building parts belong to support
level. Dwelling units are completely independent entities in the building support and can
be easy transformed (fig. 29).
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SI (support-infill) System
OB (Open Building)System
SI system is developed into OB (Open Buildnig) system. Support and infill are
designed as independent levels. For both levels is applied open building system method.
Open Building system is composed from independent subsystems and components and stands
for exchangeability and independence of system components.
For Multifamily building are distinguished major subsystem at both level. Here are
introduced interchangeably issue and demountable properties between system components.
Building structure as one of the major support subsystems is design according the new
interchangeability and demountable properties.
Fig.30: 1972_Genterstrasse | Otto Steidle | Munich _

Building structure design
Fig.31: 1972_Genterstrasse | Otto Steidle | Munich _

Dwelling units design
Resume:
Building structure is design and built as demountable system (fig.30). The flexibility is
achieved with re-adjustable space to the principal structure. Concrete columns with the corbel
allows structural transformations (fig.32). Space and volumes can be expand or deduced
according to the user demands. To achieve that: components had to be prefabricated and
having them not permanently fixed to one-another. Separation of dwelling units at the level of
mechanical systems, pipes and ducts and electric wirings, allowed for the kitchens and
bathrooms to change position in the building layout.(Fig.31)
Fig.32: 1972_Genterstrasse | Otto

Steidle | Munich : Prefabricated concrete
column with corbels.
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CHAPTER 3: How the Multifamily Open Buildings work? PRINCIPLES,

STRATEGIES AND METHODS
3.1. Key conceptual framework
3.1.1. Flexibility
3.1.2. Adaptability
3.1.3. Transformation
3.1.4. Customization
3.2. Specific technical strategies
3.2.1. Summary
3.2.2. Making INDEPENDENT LEVELS OF CONTROL.
3.2.3. Design characteristics of Open Building System for Multifamily Building.
Functional decomposition
Systematization of building components and subsystems
Open system hierarchy and base element specification.
Controlled assembly sequences.
Dray joints connection and simple interface geometry.
3.3. Key development strategies
3.3.1. A STUDY ON THE APLICATION OF THE OPEN BUILDING
APPROACH IN MULTIFAMILY HOUSING DESIGN AND BUILDING
The best practice: NEXT 21
Spain state-of-the-art:
Parallel view of the case studies
3.3.2. Systematic design according to Levels of Control and
Building System method
3.3.3. Application of Open system to support and infill level
3.4. Methods
3.4.1
IFD (Industrialized, Flexible, Demountable) System

Introduction
IFD building system
44
Conclusion

September 2011
CHAPTER 3: How the Multifamily Building work?

PRINCIPLES, STRATEGIES AND METHODS FOR
SYSTEMATIC APPROACH
Different concepts, strategies and method have been investigated for restructuring the
multifamily building design process to achieve more dynamics in use. This dynamics
referred to flexibility of the living space to be adapted. Different methods are used to reach
full potential flexibility for constant change and for a longer life circle of the more
permanent building parts building structure?
Multifamily Open Building is a multi facetted concept aiming flexibility in
functional, technical, organizational, physical, financial and sustainable multifamily project
solutions that can adapt to changing needs over time. It supports user participation, industrial
production of housing and community decisions to achieve flexibility for change according to
different requirements.
If the change is the problem, a leveled organization of the building process can
provide at least a part of the solution.(Ype Cuperus)
One uniform mass housing building project will be converted into adaptable hierarchy
set of parts organized into independent levels to control in a form of open building system
composed from independent components and subsystems. This new approach is introduced
under the term open system. Open system will be considered as a transformable system and
will be established different conceptual, technical and development strategies for its design
and construction.
The key Open Building principles, strategies and methods will be highlighted in
analysis of two case studies:
Japanese case study: NEXT21 | Osaka Gas with SHU-KO-SHA | Japan | 1994
Spain case study: 112 SOCIAL DWELLING IN THE POLVOR DISTRICT,

BARCELONA. 2005.
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***
3.1 Basic conceptual strategies:
FLEXIBILITY and ADAPATABILITY
The concept of flexibility is an important concern for design Open Building

multifamily housing. Flexibility refers to the idea of accommodating change over time.
Flexible housing corresponds to housing that can adapt to the changing needs of users (Till
& Schneider, 2005, p. 287). The study claims, through different examples, that a concern for
flexibility can inspire, in N. John Habrakens (2008) words, a new and challenging kind of
residential architecture (p. 291).
The English colloquial usage of the word flexibility is:
1. Capability of being bent; pliancy.
2. Susceptibility of modification or alteration; capacity for ready adaptation to
various purposes or conditions; freedom from stiffness or rigidity.(Oxford English
Dictionary Online, 2010)
In its ordinary usage, flexibility denotes not only a spatial-functional change, but
also physical change, modification or adaptation, for a variety of purposes or uses. The word
flexibility points out: the quality of being adaptable; capacity of being adapted (Oxford
English Dictionary Online, 2010). It accommodates a meaning of fitting or suiting for a
variety of purposes.
In Multifamily buildings, flexibility will consider the question how the permanent
parts of the buildings (subsystems on the support level, the structural system and the
common services) are configured: The organization of the rooms, their dimensions, the
relation between the rooms and their functions are the concern for adaptability. To sum up,
Rabeneck, Sheppard and Town claim that while the design decisions about the structure and
service spaces are related to flexibility, the consideration about the architectural layouts of the
remaining spaces are associated with adaptability. Our objective will be: Design the
flexibility of building support for the adaptability of dwelling units. Flexible support
structures will be more suitable for the transformation at infill level (dwelling unit level).
We can distinguish four flexibility levels in Multifamily Housing design and building
process. (fig. 1)
Fig. 1: Flexibility levels
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September 2011
INITIAL FLEXIBILITY flexibility for choice at the design stage for the
typological variety of individual dwelling units (fig. 2,3:NEXT 21 project: initial
flexibility of building framework for 18 different dwelling typologies.
Fig 2: NEXT 21: floor plan with different dwelling

typologies
Fig 3: NEXT 21: Dwelling unit typologies
IN-BUILT FLEXIBILITY flexibility as an opportunity for adaptability of the

dwelling unit ( NEXT 21: independent unit may be adapted independently from other
units and independently from building infrastructure), fig. 4;
Fig. 4: NEXT 21: dwelling unit transformation
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FULL POTENCIAL FLEXIBILITY for full potential of housing for constant

change; flexibility of support for the adaptability of the detachable unit and
dwelling unit`s transformation according to user preferences.
Fig. 5: NEXT 21: The flat 202 FULL POTRNCIAL FLEXIBILITY of dwelling unit layout / (a,b,c,d,e
are transormations)
PERMANENT FLEXIBILITYof total building system for changes over time(fig. 6).
Fig 6: NEXT21 before remodeling (left); NEXT21 after remodeling (right)
According Schneider and Till (2005a, 2005b, 2007), flexibility is to accommodate

change in housing related with the current and future needs of the users.
First, it offers variety in the architectural layout of the dwelling units inside the
building framework INITIAL FLEXIBILITY.
Secondly, it includes adjustability and adaptability of housing units over time INBUILT FLEXIBILITY.
And finally, it allows buildings to accommodate to new functions, even to change
completely the principal use, to be dismantled and relocate FULL POTENCIAL
FLEXIBILITY AND PERMANENT FLEXIBILITY.
Minimal dwellingand free plan in multifamily housing is the best practice to
achieve the initial flexibility of individual unit layout. With SI(support- infill) system
was highlighted the in-built flexibility for choice of every individual dwelling (fig. 7).
Open Buildingapproach is searching now for the new method to achieve full
potentialflexibility of multifamily housing in Spain and other European country.
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To achieve flexibility, architects should take in account the possible future needs of
occupants, during the design and building process. The benefits of flexibility in housing are
discussed both from the perspective of users and in terms of innovative industrial
construction.
Within this framework, this research tries to find answers to the next questions:
1- How does the idea of flexibility inform an Open Building approach?
2- What methods are used for approving flexibility within the context of Open Building?
3- What does flexibility mean in restructuring of the building process for Open
Multifamily Building.
4- What are the extents and limitations of flexibility in multifamily housing in Spain?
***
Spatial and structural flexibility in multifamily housing

Multifamily buildings that support special and structural transformation have been
considered flexible. Space transformation happens during the use phase of the residential
building. Therefore, indicators of spatial flexibility can be defined as:
Extendibility (enlargement of the space),
Partitioning (rearrangement of units space),
Multi-functionality (rearrangement within space units),
Functional mutation (mutation from one function to another)
Structural flexibility is related to the ability of building components and systems to be
easily replaced, displaced, reconfigured, reused, and recycled. The indicators of technical
flexibility are:
Accessibility,
Replaceability,
Reconfiguring,
Separation
In order to achieve special flexibility building should be designed for disassembly. In
that respect structural flexibility with associated disassembly properties can be seen as a key
for sustainable construction. Structural flexibility makes sustainable building possible not
only by reuse and recycling possibility but also by making building adaptable to follow trends
and technological developments. There is natural interdependency between structural
flexibility and architectural layout flexibility and they cannot be isolated from each other.
Structural flexibility is a condition for special flexibility.
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Work of Cedric Price,Fun Palace designed by 1961 concerns the application of
different industrial technologies to achieve flexibility for adaptability and greater building
efficiency. Cedric Price was an architect who pursued the idea of flexible assemblage of
independent components in the 1960s, through his conceptual drawings for the Fun Palace.
(fig x)
Fig 8: Cedric Price Fun Palac, 1961
Main conditions for spatial and structural flexibility:

Clear distinction between the different functional groups of the building
Building techniques that improve structural and material performance and offered
variety of products to answer different requirements.
Exclude fixed building structures whose end-of life is associated with demolition
processes
Include disassembly aspects into integrated design plans.
Flexibility through the integration of different life cycle of the building parts Assembly and disassembly of building parts.
This means that we must consider how we can access and replace parts of existing
building systems and components, and accordingly, how we can design and integrate building
systems by components and subsystems with different life circle in order to be able to replace
them later on. Building assembly is based on open system hierarchy where the long lasting
building elements are placed on the hierarchy top (higher level) and the fast changing
components belong to lower level for easy access.
Flexibility for enabling efficiency and variety
The word variety is:

1. Tendency to change; change of purpose or plans.
2. Diversity of nature or character; absence of monotony, sameness, or uniformity.
3. A different form of some thing, quality, or condition; something which differs or
varies from others of the same class or kind; a kind or sort. (Oxford English Dictionary
Online, 2009)
The meaning of typological variety is more obvious comparing to flexibility and
adaptability and in the context of multifamily housing it points to freedom of choice for
diverse users. It has to be achieved for individual unit in one multifamily building as
typological variety of individual unit layouts.
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The multifamily housing received a synonym "FLEXIBLE HOUSING. First results
referred to "flexibility" are of the interior layout. These early examples of flexibility for
architectural layout are what is called "open plan". For the open plan it was adopted clear
span load bearing system and free floor plan for variety of units arrangement. The best
example is maybe the Weissenhofsiedlung Experimental Housing Project, Mies van der Rohe,
Stuttgart, Germany (fig 9)
Fig 9: Weissenhofsiedlung Experimental Housing Project, Mies van der

Rohe, , Stuttgart, Germany, 1927
ADAPTABILITY
In architectural discourse, flexibility and adaptability have been defined in
different ways. Some of these definitions are compiled in (table 1). In this table, definitions by
Schneider and Till (2005a, 2005b, 2007) and N. John Habraken (2008), Andrew Rabeneck,
David Sheppard and Peter Town (1973, 1974), Herman Hertzberger (1991), Steven Grok
(1992), Gerard Maccreanor (1998) and Adrian Forty (2000) are included.
The adaptable approach emphasizes both planning and building layout and
constructional technique and services distribution. It is based on carefully considered
variations in room sizes, relationship between rooms, slightly generous openings between
spaces and little over expression of room function. (Rabeneck, Sheppard, & Town, 1974, p.
86). From the other side we will analyze the adaptability of building system and its
subsystems. Adaptability of building framework (skeleton) to extend the total multifamily
building life.
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TRANSFORMATION
TRANSFORMATION is every change of the house layout or its structure. The
multifamily building transformation- T can be defined as a sum of independent
dwelling units-transformations (t).
T(constant) = t1 + t2+ t3 + t4+ t5+ + tn n- number of dwelling units
New vision of design and building multifamily housing stands for approving the
transformation of the buildings according to different requirements. We can discuss different
transformation type according to the needs of different participation groups. To satisfy diverse
group requirements is necessary to find one uniform integrated solution.
Customers as the users of residential space require the transformations of the interior
space. The possibility to transform the building layout depends on building system condition
as it may be completely closed, just what was happened in mass housing production.
Mass housing system, where all building parts are joined together doesnt support any
transformation. Otherwise Open Building system organized into levels of control as a
building system composed of independent subsystems and components could be transformed.
Customers will require more dynamics in use of their living space; Society will search
for the sustainable development of residential architecture considered the optimization of
lifecycle impact of buildings and, construction industry will work to achieve high quality for
lees time and lower costs. To satisfy different requirements of different participant groups
multifamily buildings should be designed and built to transform them later on.
Our final goal is to achieve the possibility for transformation of the individual
dwelling layout by its occupants and transformation at the level of support to support lower
level transformations. For the Mass Housing the closed design floor plan was a condition
for closed-static system with no possibility to be transformed. Figure 10 illustrates the
transformations of prefabricated panel structure from closed-static system to opendynamic system. For system transformations have been applied open building strategies for
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September 2011
structure design and building process. Lest case in the image is IFD building system that is
completely demountable.
For
Fig 10: Building systems with concrete panel
The transformation capacity of different systems depends on system design and

building system construction process.
CASE 1- CLOSED SYSTEM / All panels were jointed together to form the building
as a monoblock. This is closed system with the building as a finished product.
CASE 2,3- SI-Building System /THE PANEL IS A COMPONENT OF SUPPORT
SYSTEM ( SUPPORT STRUCTURE)- is considered permanent because of the wet
joints. INFILL is independent from SUPPORT.
CASE 4-OPEN SYSTEM / PANEL IS WITHIN THE IFD MACRO MODULE of
the building core. Concrete panel is used for the support subsystem that has the
longest lifespan and is independent.
***
Fig 11: Closed-static and open-dynamic building system for building structure
CUSTOMIZATION
Term CUSTOMIZATION means the possibility for dwellers to customize their
leaving space according to their needs in multifamily housing. In open building framework
or (skeleton frame) all dwelling unit are customized independently from each other and from
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September 2011
skeleton frame (fig. 12). Customization means Personalization, as using technology to
accommodate differences between individuals.
Open Building System deals with ADAPTIVE Customization. Components and
subsystems are produced by firms as a standardized products, but this products are
customizable in the hands of the end-user (the customers alter the product themselves).
Fig. 12: NEXT 21 SI(support-infill) detachable unit
3.2.
Specific Technical strategies
3.2.1. Summary
The benefits of flexibility in housing are discussed both from the perspective of
users and in terms of innovative construction systems and as main objective for restructuring
of the building process.
Different stages for flexible use in multifamily housing inform the building
scienceto explore the different strategies and methods for flexible housing design. For
instance, as mentioned before, for initial flexibility, the layout of the building should offer a
variety of choices for different users. For permanent flexibility, the residential unit should
give the opportunity to make physical arrangements and adaptations over time, according to
the changing needs of the users.
To create housing that provide flexibility, the configuration of permanent parts,
structural system and service spaces on the support level, play a major role in building
process. The degree of flexibility in the interior space depends of the configuration of
permanent parts at the support level. There are a number of ways for achieving flexibility in
housing design. This section aims to underline basic open building strategies that suggest
alternative methods to create flexibility for adaptation and transformations in multifamily
building.
The existing strategies and the innovative ones will be applied on the levels of
control and building system method. Two main criteria for new SYSTEMATIC APROACH
are INDEPENDANECE and EXCHANGEBILITY. Independence is a condition for making
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levels of control. Independence and Exchangeability are the new design aspects for
dynamic building system.
The process of transformation from massive to decomposable structures represents the
process of separation of the buildings functions such as support, enclosure, fittings, services
and partitioning and alters them from fixed to less dependent conditions. Besides functional
decomposition this articulates the concern for technical composition and physical relations
between building components. Two main criteria of deconstruction of structural configuration
are independence and exchangeability.
3.2.2. Making INDEPENDENT LEVELS OF CONTROL

To approach new Systematic Design in Multifamily Housing the levels of control
should be planed as completely independent. All adaptations and transformations in building
layout and building system will happen according to independent levels of control.
Two levels of decision-making
Functional levels of control
Technical levels of control.
Fig. 13:Diagram :Illustrates the number of

independent functional and technical
levels within theNext 21 project_
Durmisevic 2007
3.2.3. DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS OF OPEN BUILDING SYSTEM

For Open Building System are established principal design characteristics.
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FUNCTIONAL DECOMPOSITON - The design of dynamic system stands for

total separation between different functions on all levels of building integration.
SISTEMATIZATION OF BUILDING COMPONENTS AND SUBSYSTEMS

into independent functional (special), technical and decision-making levels. The first step
toward demountable system is to minimize the number of relations between finished
subsystems within the building. Systematization is based on specifying group of parts
subsystems. Subsystems components correspond to same the function. Different groups of
elements can be assembled independently of other parts of the building. Connections between
subassemblies and within subassembly are demountable (fig.14).
Fig 14: Systematization of building parts (M.Tichem 1997)
OPEN BUILDING-SYSTEM HIERACHY AND BASE ELEMENT

SPECIFICATION
The evolution of building configuration from fixed to dynamic is represented by
transformation of complex relational diagram and closed hierarchies between elements into an
ordered tree path down of connections (fig.15).
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September 2011
Fig.15: Closed versus dynamic system hierarchy
We can conclude that the building structure is defined by a number of independent

assemblies, and that each assembly of sub-assemblies and components would have one
element that would act as a base subsystem for other subassembly components. According to
this, building structures could be defined through relations between the base elements that are
placed on different levels of structural integration/ technical configuration. On the support
level the load-bearing structure is the base subsystem for other subsystems, such as faade,
roof, floors, installations, etc.
On the sub-assembly level such as faade, an element such as a wall-frame can be the
base element for all other parts of this sub-assembly, such as windows, ventilation openings,
doors, etc. Furthermore the window would have base element, which connect all parts of the
window.
Such systematization of building through base elements and their connecting parts
stands for the better control of the structure, the use of exchangeable parts of the building, and
total disassembly at the end of the design life of the building if the physical integration of
parts is suitable for disassembly. An example of such configuration is the design of Yach
house by R. Hordon (Figx). In such dynamic configurations, sub-assemblies represent
independent sub-functions of main functions as faade, roof, structural frame, infill and
foundation.
CONTROLED ASSEMBLY SEQUENCES
In open hierarchy building parts are kept independent from each other by creating
dependent relation only to the base element of assembly. Each subassembly should define its
base element which will collect all surrounding elements of the group. The base element has a
dual function: one being as a connector of all independent elements in assembly, the other
being connection with other assemblies.
DREY JOINT CONNECTIONS AND SIMPLE INTERFACE GEOMETRY
(positional and dimensional co-ordination of building component, their interface
geometry and type of connections are the main aspects).
In order to evaluate the open system characteristics in structural configurations, two
types of relations have to be considered: one between assemblies-subsystems and one within
assemblies. An important goal of physical integration is to reduce the number of assembly
sequences, especially during replacement procedures.
Physical integration between elements is defined by: the type of connection, the
geometry of elements edge, and the assembly chains of components.
Having in mind the level of functional, structural and physical domain in building structures
this research supports a development of new integrated solutions based on new systematic
approach that include both: design and construction process of building system.
Dynamic systems deal with decomposable structures that define a method of construction in
which building is made of integrated structural, mechanical, electrical, envelop and partitioning
systems in a why to support their independence and exchangeability. The most important aspect
of such buildings is decoupling of levels that have different functional and life cycle expectance.
The building functions could be allocated through the independent building systems and
subsystems.
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***
3.3. KEY DEVELOPMENT STARTEGIES

3.3.1. A STUDY ON THE APLICATION OF THE OPEN BUILDING APPROACH
IN MULTIFAMILY HOUSING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
The best practice: NEXT 21: A Prototype Multi-Family

Housing Complex, Osaka, Japan, 1994
1. Introduction
- Open Building strategies in restructuring the conventional building
process.
- TWO-LEVELS DESIGN AND BUILDING PROCESS two levels of
decision making two levels of control - SI(Support-Infill) system.
- BUILDING SYSTEM method applied for support and infill level
- Subsystems at the Support level.
- Subsystems at the Infill level.
2. Open Building as a design concept.
3. Open building as building concept.
1. Introduction
NEXT 21 multifamily housing complex in Osaka is considered the best practice built
according to Open Building strategies. The building has six floors above ground and one
basement. Building skeleton frame was finished in September 1993, and the design of the
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units continued until December 1993. The building consists of 18 individual dwelling units,
which were designed by 13 different architects in different time distances.
The NEXT 21 is an Open Building project that incorporates two principal concepts
in its design: THE BUILDING SYSTEM and THE TWO DECISION-MAKING
LEVEL BUILDING.
TWO LEVEL BUILDING / SI Building / SUPPORT-INFILL Building

SI Building System is based on permanent support structure, and demountable
dwelling units. (fig. 1)
1- Building SUPPORT
2- Building INFILL
Fig. 1: NEXT 21 two levels: SUPPORT and INFILL
The support system is regarded as a shared property and the infill as a personal property of the
individual owners. The supportis designed to be permanent, and the infill, which has a
shorter life is designed to be easy replaceable. Support-infill division is done according to
different life spans and production methods of the subsystems and components. The
decomposition of the building into a collection of subsystems allows for flexibility of
building system and enables easy disassembly of each part as its life expires.
BUILDING SYSTEM APPROACH

For the support and infill level is applied Kit of parts open building system
(fig.2)
Fig 2: NEXT 21 Building System
Kit-of-parts term refers to the study and application of building system, where
components are pre-designed / pre-engineered /pre-fabricated to be installed in joint-based
(linear element), panel-based (planar element), module-based (solid element), and deployable
(time element) construction systems.(Wikipedia) Kit-of-parts OPEN SYSTEM is a special
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subset of components and evidently is the most appropriate type of construction for the
building system sets that attempts to achieve flexibility in assembly, possible collaboration
with the construction in situ or other components producers and efficiency in achieving
transformation of the support structure. The different Kit-of-parts subsystems are applied
for disassembly, and reuse and can be assembled and taken apart in a variety of ways.
- This Kit-of-parts building system takes account particular life span of each
component.
- Building components are divided into two groups: long-life elements that provide the
support structure (columns, beams and floors), and short-life elements in both
communal and private areas (partition walls, services and equipment), which can be
modified without any influence on the integrity of the support system.
Open Building system is composed from independent subsystems and components.
According to two levels of control (Habraken. 1976), all building subsystems and
components are systematized into spatial and technical independent levels.
SPATIAL LEVELS / distribution of main building function according to life of each function and
life cycle of corresponding building components.
BEARING
ENCLOSING
SERVICING
FINISHING
FURNISHING
TECHNICAL LEVLES / building system, subsystems and components.
LOAD BEARING STRUCTURE
FASADE
SERVICE SYSTEM
INTERIOR PARTITIONS
FURNITURE
Diagram : illustrates the number of independent spatial and

technical levels within the Next 21 project_ Durmisevic 2007
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OVERVIEW OF THE MAYOR SUBSYSTEMS THAT MAKE HOUSE DESIGN: This

division is based on the different life spans and production methods of the subsystems
components.
Subsystems for support level:
STRUCTURE
Fig.3: NEXT 21 Building structure: left-plan of load bearing concrete skeleton; right: axonometric view
The structure is the only part of the building that is permanent, but is designed
and constructed as demountable system. The building frame consists of columns and
beams of cast-in-place concrete. The floors were constructed using thin precast concrete
panels. From the third floor up, there are six independent structures which are single-span
towers of columns and beams, each 7.2 meters square in span (fig. 3). Between these
structures are zones 3.6 meters wide which are provided with low slabs. The floor-to-floor
height is 3.6 meters and the floor-to-floor height of the lower level is 4.2 meters. The final
form is a 3D structure designed and built to support independent design and transformation of
individual dwelling.
Fig. 4: Common services and dwelling unit services

/vertical section
SERVICES
In the NEXT 21 the total service system is divided in two parts:
- Communal services are placed in raised floors and suspended ceilings in the marginal
zone (fig. 4)and,
- Unit services belong to every individual unit and are supported by the communal
system. It is important to differ for any system, one zone that allows easy access and
control. Communal services are distributed inside the communal zone (fig. 5).
The NEXT 21 building system supports adaptability to be executed at the level of
SOPPORT services without disturbing the level of unit service subsystems. In most of
the recent projects, communal wiring and piping for gas, electricity and water are placed
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inside the load bearing cores or load bearing partition walls. That makes a very hard
access and disturbs the dwelling units.
Fig 5: Cross section of dwelling unit with separation of support and infill
services in different spatial zones
Fig. 6: NEXT 21: Common building services
Building mechanical systems have shorter lives than the building structure. Therefore,
the shorter life span of the pipes and ducts components of mechanical systems has a major
impact on the life span of the building. Because of these, mechanical systems were designed
to be easily accessible. In NEXT 21, large vertical shafts are located in two places in the
building margin zone (fig. 6). Pipes and wiring are led from these shafts, underneath the
common corridors to each unit. This concentration of the vertical shafts is easily accessible
for repair or replacement of components. Horizontal pipes and wirings are placed in a corridor
space with low slabs. When different parts and /or subsystems have to be renewed, panels or
floor plates allow easy access. (fig. 7)
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CLADDING
In the cladding system of NEXT 21, the exterior walls are treated as a cantilever
panels placed outside of skeleton structure. This allows easy replacement of the panels to be
done from the inside, without the need for scaffolding.
THE EXTERIOR WALLS ARE:
- Installed to be easily replaceable, and they are treated as an independent system on the
infill level.
- The geometric variation of individual unit facades was coordinated through the
incorporation of design rules for the exterior walls and the modular arrangement of the
windows.
- The stainless finish of the exterior walls was arranged in coordination with the
window components to give the building a unified appearance from the street.
Fig. 8: Next 21 Cladding system
Multi-unit building facades are generally treated as support level elements. Next21
extended the concept of the facade as part of the infill. The courtyard-facing facade
corresponded to a custom designed system of individual units. Design of the individual
dwelling includes arrangement of its industrially-produced kit of parts faade, which can be
modified, and reutilized in a new configuration. Overall technical transformation of the
buildings facade is made possible by the design of the facade system, compatibility of
components and its rules of modular and positional coordination and assembly rules. Possible
transformations of buildings faade make easy the transformations of the unit layout.
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Subsystems for infill level: All subsystems are Kit of parts system (fig. 9).
Fig. 9: NEXT 21: Subsystem at the infill level
A - STRUCTURAL MODULE
C - INTERIOR PARTITIONS, fittings, interior finishes, the doors and windows.
D - DWELLING SERVICES / The ducts, pipes, and wiring of mechanical systems are
placed in floor or ceiling spaces, which allow flexibility for the location of kitchens
and bathrooms in dwelling units.
B - UNIT CLADDING, doors and windows
E - EQUIPAMENT, furniture
The subsystems for both levels are installed as independent systems. Any changes of
one subsystem or its components dont disturb other subsystems. All subsystems in NEXT 21
are demountable systems. This demountable systems are composed from independent
subsystems and components.Support Structure is IFD system. It's considered permanent,
but is done as demountable system to be dismantled reused of recycled at the and of the
building lifespan. Demountable systems generate multi-lives buildings that can be
reconfigured for new functions or relocated elsewhere.
***
2. Open Building as a design concept

Open Building design is based on functional decomposition into spatial and technical
levels of control. The NEXT 21 housing function are distributed into two principal zones (fig
10).
1- Independent dwelling unit zone - infill module
2- Corridor zone as a margin zone (zone between infill and support).
65
Fig. 10: Functional distribution in zones and margins of building layout and dwelling
unit vertical section

September 2011
The dwelling zone includes three different sizes of modules. The main module
consists of unit 7.2 meters x 7.2 meters, and the sub-modules come in two units 7.2 meters x
3.6 meters or 7.2 meters x 1.8 meters. The corridor zone includes stairs, corridors, and voids
and is 3.6 meters wide. Functional decomposition of the building layout is applied for clear
separation of functions in zones and margins. The zones and margins are spatial level for
distribution of functions.
OBJECTIVES FOR OPEN DESIGN:
Distribution of functions for clear organization in zones and margins.
Use the space layers at the design stage for functional distribution
3.
Open Building development strategies and principles for building process
An integrated system is assembled from a series of independent subsystems. This

decomposition into the mayor building subsystems allows for a building that is technicallyflexible, in which components can be easily replaced. Building system decomposition
corresponds to the functional decomposition and the spatial levels in the building layout. Key
design tasks were to synthesize a number of building subsystems and their components into
one integrated building based on components exchangeability and independence. Independent
subsystems allowed the replacement of component during occupancy and use. After a
buildings life, the disassembly of its components is possible, and useful parts could be easily
recycled or reused. Building elements are divided into two groups: long-life assemblies such
as skeleton frame, and short-life elements, in private areas, such as interior partitions, building
facilities and equipments.
First goal was to make easy control of such divided system by different parties,
and then to allow easy decomposition and replacement of its part according to
participant requirements.
The subsystems of one mayor system belong to corresponding functional zone.
Subsystems at the support level are independent. Concrete skeleton is
demountable beam-column system considered as a permanent structure. Building
plumbing and cladding system may be transformed according to different requirements
for replacement and repear. Mechanical and electrical wirings , and faade panels are
demountable components.
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Dwelling units were placed in the support functional zone and belong to infill
level . At the infill level are distinguished 4 independent subsystems : DWELLING
SHELL(B), INTERIOR PARTITION WALLS (C), KITCHEN AND BATHROOM
EQUIPAMENT (D), FURNITURE (E). (fig. 9)
***
Conclusions
NEXT 21 is multifamily building that demonstrates and experiments systematic design

method in design and construction process. The methods and techniques for the design for
disassembly and the building for life cycle were applied in assembly process of building
parts.
OPEN BUILDING development strategies for design and building process are.
Skeleton - Infill separation. Physical separation of building components by their
duration years and the levels of decision-making;
Integration of various subsystems or components to optimize design and operation
process according to different spatial and technical levels;
Use of the Kit of partsstructural system for easy repair, replacement, substitution of
the subsystems and components; use of infill kits.
Use of the simple dry joints for reduction of negative dependencies between building
elements and simplification of the construction.
Design the building layout without load bearing or solid internal partitions;
Achievement of indeterminate space with larger span and open plan allowing non-load
bearing partitions to be installed in and removed according to user needs;
Reduction of non-adaptable or non-accessible services;
Elimination of tight-fit functionalism and rooms that are predetermined and can be
used in only one way.
Systems building approach contributes to reducing initial construction and life
cycle costs in various ways:
By using prefabricated building components, the site job is minimized and waste
during construction can be avoided.
During a buildings occupancy and use, independent subsystems allow easy
replacement of components.
After a buildings life, the disassembly of its component stands for the reuse and
recycling of parts.
An experimental multi-family housing project demonstrates new concepts of multifamily housing units that incorporates sustainable design methods by sustainable construction
and production, and advanced construction technologies IFD building systems. This
building accommodates possibility of future changes according to preferences and lifestyle of
individual occupants. Incorporation of various energy and resource conserving design
strategies and building systems stands for total sustainable residential environment.
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September 2011
In NEXT 21innovations include: a sophisticated modular coordination system developed for
use by all members of the design team; design and construction of column and beam skeleton
and public infrastructure; installation of new recycling and energy management systems; and
development of a new kit-of-parts faade to allow renovation of units.
***
Spain state-of-the-art:12 VIVIENDAS SOCIALES EN EL BARRIO

EL POLVOR. BARCELONA. 2005.
PROMOCIN PBLICA.
CONSEJERIA DE MEDIO AMBIENTE Y VIVIENDA. INCASOL.
GENERALITAT DE CATALUNYA
Equipo arquitectura: Pich-Aguilera;
Calculista: Robert Brufau;
Industrial: Prefabricados Pujol
Introduction / Project description and general Information

Levels of control and Building System
Open Building applied at the design process
Open Building applied at the building process
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September 2011
Open Building strategies in restructuring the building process

BUILDING SYSTEM METHOD- SI(Support-Infill) system
Parallel view of NEXT21 and Polvori transformation possibilities
Conclusion
Fig 11: Polvori Multifamily Housing: Design of

building structure
Introduction / Project description and general Information
El POLVORI is a set of eight new housing blocks of flats for the integration of
families from old buildings, in the same location.
The idea was to improve the construction process by the use of rational and efficient
industrial techniques. All construction aroused from rationalization parameters of the housing
blocks to systemize its structure, cladding system and interiors.
Since the initial phase, the architect team started to collaborate with industry. The first
phase of investigation of economic requirements due the specific needs for housing typologies
and, secondly, the possibilities of construction systems, was forming different decisions that
helped to build flexible housing, like the way meccano system is done. Systematize its
structure, its walls and interiors.
***
Levels of control and Building system
Two decision-making levels of control: SUPPOR and INFILL.

There is a parallel between the adaptability on the infill level and the life span of its related
building parts. The infill has a shorter life span than that it is for the base building. For that
purpose the support structure is separated from infill level, except the support
and infill service subsystems.
SI(Support-Infill) building system. Three mayor subsystems are established
according to main housing functions: support structure, cladding building services,
infillpartitions (fig.12).
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Fig.12 : Polvori Multifamily Housing: SI System

September 2011
SUPPORT LEVEL:
SUPPORT STRUCTURE is IFD System
Support Structure is mixed building system composed of three independent
subsystems (Fig 13):
- 3D modules customized, prefabricated components for particular design.
- IFD frames from precast concrete pillars and beams.
- Hollow core floor slabs.
Fig. 13:Polvori Multifamily Housing: IFD components for building structure

Left: 3d prefabricated concrete modules, middle: pillars and beams concrete porches
This mixed Kit of parts system is composed of beams, columns and slabs
standardized components and customized components (3D modules).
SUPPORT CLADDING
Support cladding panels are completely independent subsystem at the support level
(Fig. 14). From inside, every detachable unit has the enclosure layers with the inside
finished surface customized for each unit. The cladding panels can be replaced according to
the requirements at the support and infill level.
Fig 14: Polvori Multifamily Housing: Faade panels as IFD system
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September 2011
SUPPORT SERVICES (Support services for both support and infill level).
Services subsystems for both support and infill level were joined together with
main pipes installation passed through the detachable unit. The unit service system is
directly connected to main plumping pipes and permanently fixed for the current positions.
The way the plumbing system is installed is considered to be part of closed system.
INFILL LEVEL:
INFILL PARTITIONS (fig. 15)
INFILL EQUIPAMENT
Fig. 15: Polvori Multifamily Housing: Infill partition walls
nfill subsystems are completely separated from building structure. Detachable

residential space can be transformed independently from building structure.
Open Building applied at the design process
All functions are decomposed and distributed into functional zones according to
adaptability requirements for each function. Dwelling space will transform more rapidly than
the building common services and for that purpose must stay free from more durable building
parts (load bearing elements). There are two main functional zones (fig 16):
- Building support and infill services: communal mechanical, plumbing and
wiring system, kitchen and bathrooms.
- Infill detachable space: living room, bedrooms
The overall size of each flat is fixed as well as kitchens, bathrooms and entrance stair.
The rest of interior space can be divided with light and easily movable partitions. These
flexible divisions can be removed or reinstalled.
Building support and infill services are put together in one zone and are
considered to be more static part of design. In this building there is no margin. Main
functional zones cant be extended and transformed out of the support limits.
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Fig 16: Polvori Multifamily Housing: Functional distribution in the building layout
The key element of the whole system is three-dimensional module" (fig 12left) It's
used as the support for the service zone which is considered permanent. This rigid core of
the building makes it hyperstaticity stable. Services spaces, kitchens and bathrooms are placed
inside the modules. The module is the result of the team formed between architects and
industry engineers and is customized for this specific design.
3D modules components are permanent parts of the structure but their disposition into
the service zone allow for maximum flexibility for detachable space. Pillars and beams that
form up the front porches and hollow core floor slabs are demountable components. Simple
and dry-connections between structural components allow for the system to be easy
decomposed without usual destruction of partitions associated with renovation. This building
process supports such construction method that wont be re-invented each time a building is
planned, as it is always case with the traditional set of parts, but can be repeated many times
in a variety of possible combinations, and going further with customized solutions.
At all stages of design, the project had been explained to its future users They were involved
in the systems used and were coordinated so they could introduce their own preferences and
requests for dwellings. So the building structure is fully industrialized and personalized
content.
Open Building strategies applied in the building process
One of the key design tasks was to synthesize a number of support subsystems
and their component into one INTEGRATED BUILDING SYSTEM.
The decomposition by components or, by components assemblies and simple dray
joints between them allow for a building that is technologically-flexible. Components of
support structure such as cladding panels, floor slabs, columns and beams can be easily
replaced.. Exchangeability and independence of assemblies and components stand for open
building process.
3D modules are customized components with all mechanical, electrical and plumbing
duct and wiring for bathrooms and kitchens, preinstalled on the assembly line. This part of the
building is permanent for both levels. Infill pipes and wiring are installed inside the
modules walls as fixed parts. This is still the domain of mass production of building where
the components were joined together to form one single mass.
The hollow-core slabs are supported from one side by 3D modules and from the other
by concrete column-beam frames. Between this two supports is generated the open plan
layout for each dwelling.
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September 2011
Open Building strategies in restructuring the building process
Strong dependence between the design and building process is considered as a main
value. Design for disassembly principles has been applied to satisfy open building process in
a way that functional zones are distributed to support demountable building system. Clear
separation of functions at the design level is used for independency and exchangeability of
IFD subsystem and components. Service pipes and ducts are permanently installed into 3D
modules and make the only exception from Open Building principles.
Construction subsystems and components interfaces and simple joint-connections
stand for the system that is technologically flexible. Technologically flexible system supports
both: the state-of-the-art of the construction industry and its innovation by exchangeable
components at the level of building structure and infill partitions and users requirements
for adaptability of leaving space.
In the case "POLVORI" BUILDING STRUCTURE IS DESIGNED AND BUILT AS
AN INTEGRTAED OPEN BUILDING SYSTEM composed from three independent
subsystems: three-dimensional modules, hollow core slabs, columns and beams skeleton
frames. This we can call design of Open Building Construction System.
INTEGRATED: is composed from three independent subsystems: 3D
modules, column and beam frames, and hollow core slabs (fig. 17)
OPEN: is demountable structure.
BUILDING SYSTEM METHOD- SI(Support-Infill) system

Fig 17: Building structure: plan and axonometric
Parallel view of NEXT21 and POLVORI transformation

possibilities
NEXT 21 is considered the best practice in multifamily open building design and
buildling. Functional decomposition is applied at the design level of building layout due to
separation of different functions into different spatial zones and margins. Spatial-functional
levels are used for the systematization of building subsystems and components into
corresponding technical levels (fig. 18)
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September 2011
Support building structure is considered permanent part of the building, according to
the urban site conditions, but it IS DESIGNED as high level flexible system to support both:
adaptability and transformations of residential area, and variety and customization of the
individual dwelling unit. Polvor Multifamily Building use systematic design for building
design and construction process based on independent levels of control and open building
system except the level of the building services. Application of Integrated System for the
support structure is one step further to design and building the building structure according
the open building strategies as transformable building system
Fig. 18: NEXT 21 and Polvor support structure
Customization may be considered the new conceptual strategy in multifamily open

building approach. The residential area inside the construction frame is divided into modules.
Modules are part of building skeleton frame, and every module is one dwelling (fig. 19). In
Next 21 each dwelling IS CUSTOMIZED according to individual tenants specifications. The
building consists of 18 individual housing units, which were designed by 13 different
architects.
Fig. 19: NEXT 21- Dwelling unit 202
9.1 Conclusion
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September 2011
NEXT21 Multifamily Building demonstrates a clear distinction between basebuilding and fit-out following the SAR definition of levels of control: the base-building
and common serves as a collective facility, and the fit-out is different for each unit.
To facilitate this separation the base building offers not only empty spaces for
inhabitation, but also a two feet double floor that can be reached by detachable floor panels
and contains the infrastructure of utilities like gas, water, and energy as well as waste
drainage. Fit-out can also use the double floor space to connect to these utilities and extend
them throughout the individual dwelling. Like in urban design, the spatial hierarchy is
matched by a hierarchy in the utility systems.
The POLVORI multifamily housing is considered an open building project based
on integrated design and construction solution. More permanent functional zones correspond
to permanent structural subsystems (kitchen and bathrooms are fixed spaces inside the
permanent 3D concrete modules). Flexible detachable multifunctional space is based on
independent partitions and components (all rooms may take a variety of different positions
and forms, for different dwelling typologies).
Potential:
Building is built as a building system with building structure as an independent
system.
Structure is an integrated system (IFD system) composed from industrialized, flexible
and demountable subsystems and components (columns and beams and prefabricated
3D concrete modules.
Advantage:
Application of IFD support structure as mixed building system composed from
independent subsystems and components.
Disadvantage:
Support and infill service system are joined together.
POLVORI support structure is totally decomposable structure which could be totally
dismantled at the end of their service life. That means that they could be relocated or that their
parts could be reused in other combinations or be recycled. The system is composed of
modular parts that are easily transportable and dry assembled on site.
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Fig. 20: NEXT 21: Multifamily Housing: Dweling unit 302 transformations of all infill subsystems

September 2011
Fig. 21: Polvor Multifamily Housing: Mayor building subsystems
Figure 20 illustrates the dwelling unit transformation in Next 21 Multifamily Building.

Two transformations of the dwelling 302 show the redistribution of dwelling functions. Open
building kit-of-parts infill system has been changed many times. Independence of all
dwelling functions and its technical and physical systems stay for full potential flexibility of
total building system.
In the Polvor case the transformations at the infill level are based on free
arrangement of the partition walls. The kitchens and toilets are permanent dwelling functions.
More transformation capacity has the building structure as IFD (Industrialized, Flexible, and
Demountable) integrated system.
Future Perspectives:
OPEN BUILDING SYSTEM APPROACH will bring new INTERGRATED
DESIGN SOLUTION FOR SUPPORT STRUCTURE.
INTEGRATED BUILDING SYSTEM APPLIED AT THE BASE BUILDING
LEVEL FOR MULTIFAMILY OPEN BUILDING.
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September 2011
3.3.2. Systematic design according to Levels of Control and Building

System method
Design and construction of multifamily buildings will be planed according to levels

of control and building system method. Functional levels of control will support the
systematization of building parts into different zones in the building layout. At the design
stage building structure will be separated from all building levels because of it`s long
durability life.
Multifamily Buildings as an open building systems introduce the building as an
open configurations of many subsystems and components. The main criteria for open
configurations are INDEPENDENCE and EXCHANGEBILITY. Major subsystems in
multifamily building: building structure, envelope, services, partitions, are independent
systems that can be design, constructed and transformed independently. Building structure as
a main boundary condition for the residential area may be considered as an integrated system
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September 2011
composed from different independent subsystems. Systematic approach (fig.23) will be
applied in design and construction of integrated building system for building structure.
Fig. 22: Polvori Multifamily Building, 2005: Integrated design for building structure
Figure 16 demonstrates the Polvori integrated system for building structure. An

integrated system is IFD (Industrialized, Flexible and Demountable) composed from three
independent subsystems:
- 3D modules customized, prefabricated components.
- IFD frames from precast concrete columns and beams.
- Hollow core floor slabs
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Fig 23: Systematic design according to Levels of Control and Building System method

September 2011
Common characteristics that define systematic design in Multifamily Open

Building:
1) Distributing decision-making according to different participations in building

and design process with the special emphases on the tenants participation and
choices.
2) Utilize two levels for design and building process. Two levels of control (support
and infill) will be use to support the decisions and requirements of two main
participant groups: tenant and society.
3) Separation between framework (building structure) subsystems and components
and individual units (dwellings) according to functional and technical levels of
control.
4) Building system approach is used for design and building process. One
building system is composed of different subsystems and components
5) Open Building system is used in Multifamily Open Building. Is based on
independent and exchangeable subsystems. Independent subsystems and
components stand for system transformations.
Design and Construction process of building structure according to Levels of

Control and Building System Method
Fig. 24: Building structure design and configuration
Main principles for design the building structure:
Support structure should be designed as an industrialized, flexible, demountable

building system (IFD system) (fig. 24-left).
Every dwelling unit should allow a number of different distributions at dwelling
layout.
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September 2011
Possibility to change the surface of the floor plan, either by additional construction or
changes in the boundaries of units within the support limits. Figure 24 left, figure 19
illustrate the possibility to extend the structure with additional concrete frames.
The parts of support must be adaptable according the changes in residential life.
Connections between removable parts and permanent structure are based on dry joints.
STRUCTURAL SYSTEM: design, composition, dimensions and location of load
bearing components is based on Open Building Design and Building process.
Position of service spaces; the access to system components and subsystems the
organization of wet spaces services as independent subsystems.
The architectural layout of residential blocks in terms of the variety of unit types
and the spatial organization of different dwelling typologies.
Fig.25:1972, Wohnanlage Genter Strasse, Otto Steidle & Partners
3.3.3. Application of Open system to support and infill level. Parallel view of the
NEXT21 and Polvor Multifamily Buildings: Key developments strategies
The multifamily building is divided in two decision-making LEVELS: SUPPORT and
INFIL / support is building framework or structure, common services, faade and

infill corresponds to dwelling units.
Support is divided into functional zones.(fig. 26,27)
Fig.26: Polvori Multifamily Housing: Distribution of functions into functional zones
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September 2011
Fig. 27: NEXT21: Functional distribution in zones and margins
The support and infill are an INDUSTRIAL BUILDING SYSTEMS.

Building system is composed of many SUBSYSTEMS (fig. 28).
Fig.28: NEXT 21 Kit-of-parts Building System and Polvorin Integrated IFD system for building structure
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September 2011
For OPEN BUILDING SYSTEM all subsystems are INDEPENDENT according to
main housing functions (functional levels of control), (fig. 29,30)
Fig.29: NEXT 21: Independent subsystems: structure, plumbing, envelope, infill( all subsystems at the infill level)
Fig.30: Polvori MH: SI building system / right: support structure and faade; middle: service; left: infill partitions
Open Building System, composed from independent subsystems is DEMOUNTABLE
SYSTEM (fig. 28)

All the subsystems relate one another in HIERARCHY. The Open Subsystems
Hierarchy means that each subsystem can only be deployed after the system higher in
the order, has been deployed first. (fig. 31)
Fig. 31: NEXT21: Open Hierarchy at infill level
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September 2011
ASSEMBLY and DESASSEMBLY HIERARCHY. The same order for system
composition is going to be used for its decomposition.

TRANSFORMATION is every change of the house layout or its structure.
The multifamily building transformation- T can be defined as a sum of independent
dwelling units-transformations (t).

T(constant) = t1 + t2+ t3 + t4+ t5+ + tn n- number of dwelling units
***
3.4 Methods
3.4.1
IFD (Industrialized, Flexible, Demountable)
Introduction to IFD Method

IFD building system
Conclusion
***
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September 2011
Introduction to IFD(Industrialized, Flexible, Demountable) method
In Open Building process all building tools has to be updated for more efficiency
in production, construction, flexibility of space and flexible industrial products and
sustainability in residential architecture. The new vision of the multifamily buildings was to
satisfy the needs for adaptability of the housing space by transformations on technical and
spatial levels of control. Under the term ready for change the building industry has started
to produce the dwelling space as a flexible product. The Habrakens division on building
support and building infill established the new method for design and construction the
support as independent part, and infill as changeable building part. Open Building system
method is applied for both levels.
Most support-infill multifamily buildings are still closed systems, even if they are
composed of industrial components and subsystems, the building process is still conventional.
The question is not about how much industrialized they really are, but how the parts are put
together. IFD method has been introduced for the flexible and demountable systems by
demountable dry joint and simple interfaces of its components. The IFD method for "Open
Building" approach aims to convert the building in a transformable system of Industrialized,
Flexible, Demountable, IFD components and subsystems.
IFD method has been considered as a step further toward Open Building principles
and Habrakens Housing construction method from the 1960s. IFD method stands to support
the open design and building process of multifamily housing. This method could be
recognized as en extension of Habrakens support-infill method by new IFD order of
independent components and subsystems by simple and dry joint. IFD innovation strategies
will approve the construction industry for the support subsystems to be more customerfocused and to permit more dynamics in use of the building layout and for more construction
efficiency in costs, time, and quality.(fig. 32)
Fig.32: IFD innovation strategies
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September 2011
IFD method principles and strategies
Industrialized /Flexible / Demountable IFD is a new method for "Open Building"

approach in restructuring of the conventional building process. The new focus is the
FLEXIBLE AND DEMOUNTABLE building system to extend the life span of the building
structures by spatial and structural transformation of the system. Flexible building system is a
result of open building design and demountable system deals with open building process.
INDUSTRIALIZED to adapt a process for the flexibility issue, simplifying the
production for high quality and lower costs and offering an individualized finished
product.
FLEXIBLE to accommodate changes at the support and infill level over time
without destroying components and subsystems, to meet the needs for reconfiguration
and finally relocation without demolition. Flexible Support building system should
allow: adaptability, combinability, pre-configuration, re-configuration, readjustability, be extended, be dismounted, to be relocated as a complete system or
some subsystems.
Fig.33: Flexibility on the support level for the flexibility at the infill level
DEMOUNTABLE to make possible the separation of building components or

subsystems. Demountable building system comprises a set of compatible and
interchangeable components. For high level of industrialization and demountable
system, factory-made components can incorporate the precise details required for
adaptable constructional system.
IFD method was applied at the infill level first. All building infills are
dynamic industrial systems by interchangeable components. The infill became the system
made from different independent subsystems ordered into functional and technical levels to be
easy controlled, modified and finally replaced or relocated. To make the infill system
flexible and make changes on its subsystems, has been searched for industry to make IFD
components that can be demountable.(ig. 34)
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September 2011
As we have already seen NEXT 21 experimental multifamily project demonstrates the

total Kit of parts IFD infill system.
Main strategies applied for the infill were:
Clear separation of the infill subsystems; All subsystems are independent;
It is established the hierarchical order between infill subsystems;
Demountable subsystems and components inform the new vision of industrialized
market. For the industrialized components market become urgent the demountable
value to be part of the mayor IFD subsystem (it would be possible to replace one
component by another evaluable in the industrialized components market stock).
Fig.35: Next 21 Multifamily project: 2 transformation of all dwelling unit 302

86 Housing
Next 21 | A Prototype Multi-Family
Osaka Gas with SHU-KO-SHA arch. and urban design studio,
Japan | 1994 |

September 2011
IFD methodology was first established for adaptability of the dwelling unit at the
infill level. Appling IFD system on the infill level is achieved the in-built flexibility of
dwelling unit for constant change (fig. 35). The industrial, flexible, demountable infill
system allowed the adaptability of the space, processing joining features of the factory-made
components and subsystems. All the factory-made components or sub-systems are design for
easy installation and decomposition without any partial or total demolition.
Transformation of the dwelling unit layout resulted with the changes of all infill
subsystems including the dwelling shall. In the figure may be observed all dwelling changes
while building structure keeps permanent. It is highlighted the result of an IFD infill system
transformation according to the users requirements.
Fif. 36: Next 21 | A Prototype Multi-Family Housing

Osaka Gas with SHU-KO-SHA arch. and urban design studio,
Japan | 1994 |Transformationof unit envelope
One of the possibilities for the IFD systems is that of "meccano" structure, which may
be supplemented by secondary components and subsystems to lead to new, integrated
building system design to support both: construction industry and its innovations and
transformations of building system according to users requirements.
IFD strategies applied to support level
The SI (support-infill) method proposed by S.A.R. (Habraken 1960) fig. 37 and

"Open Building" (CIB 104) have used the strategy "Multipurpose Framework" to generate the
support structure open for a variety of "Detachable Units", which could be modified
according to the occupants needs.
Fig. 37: Process review: IFD METHOD FOR THE OPEN BUILDING APPROACH
generate individualization within mass productionthink of buildings as a
works-in-progress
87
O
P
E
N
B

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S
A
R
A
P
R
O
A
C
H
/1
9
6
0
APROPRIATE
SUPPORT
FRAMEWORK
FLEXIBILITY OF
THE BUILDING
TOOLS
COMBINABILITY
ADAPTABILITY
MULTIPURPOSE
FRAMEWORK
+
Support
Structure(Habra
ken 1976) /
Basic
Building(CIB
W104)
FLEXIBILITY OF
THE PRODUCT
DWELLING UNITS ARE

FLEXIBLE PRODUCTS, AND THE
BUILDING FRAMWORK IS DESIGN AND
BUILT TO SUPPORT FLEXIBILITY OF
RESIDENTIAL SPACE WHIT
DWELLINGS TRANSFORMATIONS.
Design for
disassembly
IFD
method
INDUSTRIALISED
Strategies and
Technologies
+
FLEXIBLE and
DEMOUNTABLE
Operations
* "generate the individualization in mass production" From mass production to mass

customization: The desires of consumers and new technologies as factors change modelers.
*think of buildings as a works-in-progress
Multipurpose Framework is a support system of the building. Support is an
industrial framework built to permit the variety in the use of architectural layout for the
multifamily housing. Industrial framework is a permanent structure and it stands for the
flexibility of interior space.
Fig.38:bGenterstrasse_ Munich_Otto Steidle_1972: Detail of the column with the corbels
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September 2011
In the figure 38, Otto Steidle applied the concrete skeleton that is presented as a
simplified system of columns with longitudinal beams and supported floor panels. These
frames can be combined whit different spans and multiply. The columns are the keys that
share the loads and support the beams to form the network. Steidle & Partners developed IFD
system, using demountable dry joints. More flexibility is achieved by two levels or 1.5 ceiling
height by corbels placed at every half height of the column. This construction detail allows
the extension of support.
The structural modules take advantage of the great span. Space and volume can be
expanded or deducted according to the users requirements. The skeleton frame is IFD
system. Simple connections and dry joints between the components generate support structure
that can be dismantled and relocated.
Fig. 39: Application of IFD method for the support level (structure)
The figure 39 emphasizes the shift from "permanent support to transformable "support
system. The end result is a flexible industrialized construction system. Adaptability of
structures is used to extend the life cycle of support construction relating to the flexibility of
future use.
Specificities of IFD Systems
IFD specifications will be applied for the building system. Main IFD specifications are
established for design and construction process of demountable building system.
123456-
dry joints
demountable dry-joints
adaptability framework
clear-Span Structural Design
positional, modular and dimensional coordination
flexible floor plan
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September 2011
Here are presented two examples of IFD Buildings. One is detachable Container house in
Huston, Christopher Robertson.(fig. 41)
Fig. 41: IFD Case Study- detached house Container house in Huston
Huston House is a completely IFD system composed from different subsystems

according to main house functions. Flexible building system framework is an integrated
solution of site intensive Kit-of-parts (A- Post and Beam; B- Panels) and factory-made
3D-modules (C- Box, factory made 3d modules from four shipping containers).The building
system is completely demountable. Dry-joint connection between the components and
subsystems are applied to satisfy the flexibility of the building system (fig.42)
The mayor subsystems:
SUPPORT/ STRUCTURE The support structure is a mixed construction system:
Site-intensive KIT-OF-PARTS (A- Post and Beam; B- Panels), (fig. 42)
Factory-made 3D- MODULES (C- Box, factory made 3d modules from four shipping
containers).
Fig. 42: Huston house: Building

90 system configuration

September 2011
SUPPORT/ SERVICES
Communal services belong to the city red and they support the house services at infill
layout.
SUPPORT/ CLADDING
The faade at support level corresponds to the shell of 3D module.(fig x)
INFILL / CLADDING
Its a wooden faade, and all windows and doors, glass faade, partition exterior walls
between the 3D-modules belong to infill level, (fig. 43)
Fig. 43: Huston house: Facade
INFILL / SERVICE
Wirings, electrical and mechanical pipes are placed in a suspended ceilings and raced
floors; and in the wall of 3D container shell.
INFILL / PARTITION WALLS
The partition wall are demountable lightweight components
INFILL / EQUIPAMENT / furniture
Fig 44: Genterstrasse_ Munich_Otto Steidle_1972: Skeleton column with corbel
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Multifamily Building in Genterstrasse is the best practices of IFD building system

applied for support structure (fig.44):
BUILDING SYSTEM FOR communal SUPPORT is composed of:
reinforced concrete skeleton;
reinforced concrete columns with corbels on every half storey with double height;
longitudinal down stand beams, cross beams;
ceiling panels and
installation cores made from in-situ concrete
SUPPORT/ STRUCTURE is Site-intensive KIT-OF-PARTS (A-Slab and Column; BPanels) - Is considered as a MECCANO Set
INFILL - Site-intensive KIT-OF-PARTS - in this case is possible to change the Kit of Part
system for infill to factory-made 3D- MODULE ( E- Sectional Module ; F- 3d Box).
The components can offer multiple choices, as modular coordinated pieces of the
MECCANO set. Multiple-corbels columns can be combined with other components ready for
use without modification (other off-the-shelf) to generate a full-fledge IFD system.
Two main flexibility aspects are achieved:
Flexibility of the Product- of the total building system or of some building partssubsystems. We can consider the flexibility of the building framework to allow
transformation of the dwelling unit.
Flexibility of the Tool, referred to the building process to generate the flexible
action according to life style changes.(Richard 2006).
***
CONCLUSION
In the industrial construction sector, the products should not be buildings but mainly
Building Systems. "Building System" is a set of parts (components and subsystems), and
rules where the details are resolved to generate different and many custom buildings
(Richard, 2005). Therefore, the construction method is not reinvented every time a building is
raised. That will work along with the industrialized process by simple and dry joints,
independent and interchangeable components and subsystems, modular and dimensional
coordination generating IFD (Industrialized, Flexible and Demountable).
IFD can be applied to open building Industry. The components and subsystems in
open building industry must fulfill the general conditions for compatibility.
1- Assembly rules.
2- Independence between the production phase and an assembly phase of the
component and subsystems.
3- Dimensional and modular coordination.
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4- Dry-joints connections.
In general, the "Support" in the expression of Habraken [1961], is regarded as a rigid
component and the "infill" is equated as transformable. That's why the open space, enclosed
by the "Support", is commonly seen with the freedom, capable of generating various internal
divisions. Building support, is set as a boundary condition, not as a limitation. Building
structure has been seen as permanent parts of the building. IFD method will be used for
transformable and demountable building system for building structure.
The open industrialization model of interchangeable components and "Multipurpose
Framework" strategy inform the new vision of support system as an INTEGRATED
SYSTEM. The "end product" of industrialization is "Support structure as an IFD System.
IFD Support Structure may be considered as:
INDUSTRIALIZED PERMANENT SYSTEM OR MIXED construction and flexible for
multipurpose infill distribution.
INDUSTRIALIZED FLEXIBLE SYSTEM for multipurpose adaptations of infill layout.
INDUSTRIALIZED, FLEXIBLE, DEMOUNTABLE SYSTEM for support in a
constant change.
Infill content should be completely separated from support level.
The flexible process (Flexibility of the tool / Richards 1995) generates the flexibility
of end-products detachable units (Flexibility of the product) and allows for the detachable
units to be in the process of constant change. It is important not to evaluate the exit of
this process as unique floor plan outcome, but as a potential to generate series of possible
floor plans. Richards 1995
Applying the IFD method to the Kit-of-parts structural system
The next goal is to explore the application of IFD approach to the various types of
structural systems. .
Where is the difference between the Skeleton System and Support Skeleton
System.
1927 | The Weissenhofsiedlung Experimental Housing

Project |
Mies van der Rohe | Stuttgart | Germany |
1952 | Kristalbouw | Jan Trapman | Amsterdam | The
Netherlands |
1960 | Kallebck Experimental Housing | Erik
Friberger | Sweden
1972 | Genterstrasse | Otto Steidle | Munich
1976 | Dwelling of Tomorrow | Wohnen Morgen |
Ottokar Uhl
and Jos P. Weber, Arbeitsgemeinschaft fr Architektur |
Austria
2001 | Flexsus House 22 | Takenaka Corporation |
93
Japan
2003 | Siedlung Hegianwandweg | EM2N Architekten |
Switzerland

September 2011
CHAPTER 4: RELATED WORKS to Multifamily Open Building

4.1.
1927_ The Weissenhofsiedlung | Mies van der Rohe | Stuttgart | Germany
Fig 1:The Weissenhofsiedlung Experimental Housing Project |

Mies van der Rohe | Stuttgart | Germany Design of
building structure
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September 2011
The flexibility of the interior space (initial flexibility) was named OP(Open Plan)
design. Allying flexibility with progressive technologies, van del Rohe states that the frame
construction was the most appropriate form of construction to deal with the different needs of
the occupants. Why? It allows for the building to test the greatest variety of floor plans. We
can say also that is generated the polyvalent space for different interior fulfillment.
For the present, I only build the perimeter walls and two
columns within, which supports the ceiling. Everything else ought to
be as free as possible. Where I to succeed in producing cheaper
plywood walls, I would only design the kitchen and bathroom as fixed
rooms and a remaining space as a dwelling space, so that I be able to
subdivide these spaces according to the needs of the occupants.
(Mies van der Rohe)
The initial floor plan is completely open plan apart from one or two internal load
bearing columns. This was one of the first projects of building decomposition in two levels:
building parts that belong to support level has been separated from dwellings. Building
structure is design to support flexibility of residential area. Dwelling units are designed after
the building structure has been finished. Insertion of the new components and subsystem is
possible at the infill level. Interior partition walls have changes the initial position and
different dwellings arrangements have been installed. Figure c highlighted the only fixed
points in the design (as determined by the service installations) the kitchen, the bathroom and
the toilet.
ig b
Fig 2b
Fig 2a
Fig 2c
95
Fig 2a: building load bearing structure design of building structure

Fig 2b: Building support and insertion of dwelling partition walls.
Fig 2c: Building transformations: bright color highlights different dwelling`s arrangements. These

September 2011
4.2.
1952_ Kristalbouw | Jan Trapman | Amsterdam | The Netherlands
Fig. 3: 1952_Kristalbouw| Jan Trapman | Amsterdam |

The Netherlands Design of building structure
Trapman's Kristalbouw project has been considered as the base for the development of
John Habraken's approach of 'supports' and 'infill' SI building. The building was built as a
concrete frame structure supporting lightweight floors. In the center of the volume are placed
a staircases and lift cores. The use and design of the building layout is left open within the
support structure. A front edge of the support structure can be used as a balcony for
apartments, or as an open gallery access.
Skeleton structure is building part that is fixed permanently (without demountable
properties), but its is designed to be flexible for spatial transformations of in the infill layout.
Deferent units layout could be arranged. The design of the units started after the design of the
building frame and many transformations in dwelling area have been happened in time.
Finally, the residential area is limited by the inner column disposition. Load bearing structure
in the interior space may be considered as the only boundary conditions for an arrangement of
the interior partitions.
Trapmans project shows a range of alternatives: different ways of subdivision,
variously internal and external access, one-storey apartments or duplex. Is possible to
organize one duplex by moving the light floor construction and allow the location of stairs
within individual units. If we exclude internal dwelling partitions and leave the open space
free, the space could be organized for the hotel utility. He also proposed that apartments could
be extended sideways or upwards over time, though this degree of flexibility would be
dependent on, and in all probability limited by, mutual cooperation with neighbors.
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September 2011
This project clearly underlines the independent coordination rules for design of each
unit and the design of the building structure.
Fig 4a
Fig 4c
Fig 4b
Fig 4d
Fig4a: building load bearing structure : Skeleton frame consists of columns and beams of cast-in-place concrete
design of building structure
Fig4c, 4d: Building transformations: green color highlights different units changes of the bathroom and kitchen
position. These transformations could happen independently in time.
4.3.
1960_ Kallebck Experimental Housing | Erik Friberger | Sweden
Fig 5: Kallebck Experimental Housing | Erik Friberger | Sweden : Design of

building structure
Kallebck Housing is built at the urban periphery of Gteborg. The building is design and
built as SI building (fig 6). Building structure is permanent but it is designed to be flexible for the
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September 2011
transformations at the infill level. Support level deals with the support structure stripped down to the
provision of the floor of the shelf, vertical circulation and a few service connections. Building
structure is designed as a shelve ready for the insertion of the independent dwelling units. Each unit
could be designed and change independently from others.
Each dwelling is set on a concrete floor plate, and can have its own facade treatment, floor
plan and roof. The front of the structure forms the balcony for each dwelling. The design of the house
is then based around a system of demountable partition walls, wall cupboards and doors, all fixed to
the concrete floor plate.
Fig 6: Kallebck SI Building system
The idea was that the shelves would be filled up over time. However, such was the initial idea
of the scheme that all the plots were taken from the start and each of the dwellings designed more or
less to their full extent. The resultant scheme still retains a sense of a set of mobile homes perched in
the air, exuding a sense of past and future change.
Fig 7a: building load bearing structure
Fig 7b: infill content
Kallebck housing development can best be described as a shelving unit that provides
individual sites for single independent dwellings. Building structure is designed, for the first
time, as a clear span structure without internal load bearing elements. Current possibility for
rearrangement of dwelling partitions has been extended to all dwelling parts including outside
boundaries.
OPEN BUILDING STRATEGIES:RESUME
Kallebck SUPPORT STRUCTURE SYSTEM (shelve) provides individual sites

for single detached dwellings.
Each dwelling is set on (separated of) a concrete floor slab and can have its own
facade treatment, floor plan organization and even roof.
The design of the house is based around a system of demountable partition walls.
All the layout plots were different and could be installed and adapt during time
according the occupant requirements.
Every dwelling unit allows a number of different distributions at design level
Possibility to change the surface of the floor plan, either by additional construction or
changes in the boundaries of units within the support limits.
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Fig 8: Kallebck independent infill system
4.4.
1972 _ Terrazas en Genter Strasse | Otto Steidle | Alemania | Munich
Fig. 9: 1972_Genterstrasse | Otto Steidle | Munich

Left: Building structure design
This Open Residential Building was the brain storming idea in 1972. The flexibility is
achieved with re-adjustable space to the individual units. Space and volume can be expand or
deduced according to the user demands. To achieve that, components had to be prefabricated
and having them not permanently fix to one-another. Arrangement has been already changed
several times from what it was originally.
The modules are the prefabricated reinforced concrete frames. These frames can be
merged together and multiply. Therefore columns are the keys as they share the loads and
allows beams to join together to form a network. The columns also have the corbels distribute
in every half-storey high. This was the new flexibility option to split level or to have 1.5
ceiling height.
This building is a real representation of SI (support-infill) system and it is so clear
that all the actions at the support level are separated of the dwellings layout.
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Fig. 10: Genter Strasse Multifamily Building :SI (support-infill) building

September 2011
Fig. 11: Genter Strasse Multifamily Building: Detaill of

the concrete column with corbels
4.5.
1976 _ Dwelling for Tomorrow | Ottokar Uhl and J.P.Weber | Austria
Fig.12: Dwelling for Tomorrow/ Support structure(left, middle); right skeleton frame (S.Kandell)
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Dwelling for Tomorrow was a competition project for the Open Building design and
for the flexible multifamily housing.
This project application was submitted with the comment that the exact number and
types of apartments would only finally be determined once the future occupants had designed
their respective units, and so the indicated layouts only showed one possible form of
subdivision.(fig.13)
Fig.14: Dwelling for Tomorrow:

The load bearing structure
Fig.13: Dwelling for Tomorrow:

Interior subdivision of the space (S. Kandell)
The load bearing structure consists of prefabricated Lecca concrete columns and
beams, with a dimension between centre lines of 5.1 and 9.6 meters, and in-situ reinforced
concrete ceilings (fig.14). The only fixed element in plan is the staircase whose enclosing
walls double up as service cores. Within these limitations, party and partition walls can be
placed freely.
In the end, only half of the seventy dwelling units were designed by their future
occupants themselves as only 34 people had expressed interest in buying a unit when detailed
planning began. The occupants, aided by the architects as well as sociologists, were able to
choose: the arrangement of walls within the support structure of the dwelling units; the size of
the dwellings, by determining the position of the facade elements; the subdivision of the
dwelling into rooms, which also included kitchens and bathrooms; the number, type and
position of windows and doors; and the finishing of the dwellings.(fig.15)
Fig.15: 1976 _ Dwelling for Tomorrow | Ottokar Uhl and J.P.Weber |

Austria
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1.7.
2201 _ Flexuss House 22| Takenaka Corporation | Japan
Fig.16: 2001_Flexsus House 22| Takenaka Corporation | Japan
In 2000, Takenaka Corporation and others constructed an experimental residential

building Flexuss 22 in Aichi Prefecture. It is applied SI building system. They employed a
seismic-isolated structure, eliminating beams, to realize a building frame with a high
degree of freedom. Infill subsystems are completely separated from building structure.
The shared pipe shafts were installed on the north side of the corridor and there was a
horizontal plumbing zone above the slab of the corridor.
In Flexuss 22 total building design is converted in design of building support.
Building structure is designed as to allow different variations of dwellings layout.
Building structure design is done to support total flexibility of the building layout for the
first user`s and the future as well.
Fig.17: Flexus House,

Takanaka Corporation Japan /SI
(support-infill) building levels
BUILDING SYSTEM FOR communal SUPPORT consisted of:

structural framework reinforced concrete skeleton; large columns slightly offset from
the outer perimeter;
ceiling concrete panels;
prefabricated service elements;
The actual area within which the residential units are designed is divided into five
units, each 7.2 vide y 11.6 long. (fig.17)
1.8.
2003 _ Siedlung Hegianwandweg | EM2N Architekten | Switzerland

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September 2011
Fig. 18: Siedlung Hegianwandweg:

Japan /SI (support-infill) building levels
Fig. 19: 2003 _ Siedlung Hegianwandweg

| EM2N Architekten | Switzerland
Fig.20: Siedlung Hegianwandweg : Entire plan

as a free space
Building is organized around a central concrete core (fig.21a,b), which contains the
communal staircases, and circulation entrance halls as well as bathrooms. The only load
bearing elements are this core and the external facade, which leaves the entire plan as a free
space (fig.20) to be partitioned according to needs and requirements of the occupant or that
of the housing association.
Fig. 21a: Siedlung Hegianwandweg: Building system: Central concrete core and wooden panels
The flexibility through the free disposition of walls within the flats are supposed to
give the owner, the possibility of changing floor layouts to suit changing needs of existing
tenants or to adapt the number of rooms in order to attract new tenants.
Floor space can be defined by the tenant, although if having special requests
concerning alterations in layout, they have to pay a deposit for a potential deconstruction and
return to the initial layout.
Design and Construction
It is applied a mixed building system with a concrete core and timber floors and walls
would be most advantageous in terms of flexibility and environmental impact (fig. 21b).
By using structural panels for walls, ceilings and roofs, the exterior walls, concrete
core and the ceilings form a shell which does not require further stabilization. The flats thus
can be subdivided to the specifications of the residents and can either be used as loft space or
as a 2 bedroom flat. Similarly residents can choose whether they prefer a large living-dining103

September 2011
kitchen area or a separate kitchen. The whole layout of the flats and buildings is strictly
modular and allows endless combinations of numbers and sizes of rooms and spaces.
Fig. 21b: Siedlung Hegianwandweg: Building system: Central concrete core and wooden panels
***
The multifamily building that supports the special and technical BUILDING
TRANSFORMATIONS according to different participants requirements will be considered
open building. Building transformations represents a dynamic behavior of the building
which results with the change from one form to another in any of building levels. Three basic
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September 2011
aspects of transformation are ELIMINATION, ADDITION, and RELOCATION (Habraken,
2000). The key issue is to extend the life cycle of used materials by changing linear material
flow into cyclic material flow (Durmisevic, 2006) supported by reusing and recycling of
materials. As we have already seen, conventional building cant be transformed and should be
demolished. One way to approach this problem is through the new design strategy of the
building support that will support the dynamic behavior of buildings on spatial, structural
and material level. New design characteristic of dynamic buildings will be applied for the
support structure as a main boundary condition for transformations.
All the transformations will happen according to the independent LEVELS of control:
Control levels of decision-making
Functional levels Spatial levels
Constructional (technical) levels (subsystems, components, materials)
For different levels is applied open building system method. Two main aspects of
open building system are: INDEPENDANE and EXCANGEABILITY. Transformations in
the different levels are possible if the systems, subsystems and components are independent.
For higher level transformation the more independency between subsystems is needed.
Building system based on subsystems and components exchangeability and independence is
DEMOUNTABLE SYSTEM and is considered OPEN-DYNAMIC system. The main
design aspects of demountable building system are: functional, structural, and physical
decomposition. TECHNICAL STRATEGIES FOR OPEN BUILDING SYSTEM
CONFIGUATION. /Main aspects for design and construction of open building system are:
FUNCTIONAL DECOMPOSITON
SISTEMATIZATION OF BUILDING COMPONENTS AND
SUBSYSTEMS ACCORDING TO INDEPENDENT LEVELS
OPEN SYSTEM HIERACHY AND BASE ELEMENT SPECIFICATION
CONTROLED ASSEMBLY SEQUENCES
DREY JOINT CONNECTIONS AND SIMPLE INTERFACE
GEOMETRY
***
For new integrated design the IFD building system could be an answer. Industrial
flexible and demountable IFD building system composed from independent demountable
subsystems and exchangeable components supports building transformations according to
customer needs, construction industry and market conditions and society needs (fig 1).
105

September 2011
Spatial and technical design and construction of support(fig x) as a main boundary

condition for infill transformations, will be the main topic of future research. Separation of
the support-building structure from infill level will allow design of building support to be
more suitable for transformations at the infill "level. With the building structure
decomposing into independent subsystems will be optimized the benefit of housing, including
incorporation of STATE-OF-THE ART subsystems in response to changing requirements and
preferences.
Fig:
Fig. 2: The best practices of design building structure to achieve Open Multifamily Building
Multi-unit housing project based on Open Building principles and strategies are
breaking down the current state of conventional way of building and lead this investigation to
new systematic approach for integrated design and building process.
New initiatives are needed to clarify and extend the basic principles of Open
Building to support new systematic approach. Future methods have to:
Organize and coordinate requirements of different parties on different design and
construction levels;
Rethink the interfaces of different system components, functions, spaces to reduce
conflicts, ease replacement and substitution of parts in technical levels and functional
changes on spatial levels.
106

September 2011
Lead the design and construction process to the realization of better, more adaptable,
durable and sustainable multifamily buildings.
Use this model, as optimal for the developing of the power of construction technology
innovations.
An open system can exchange parts, components and even sub-systems outside its
original production environment. They are then considered interchangeable.
Interchangeable parts, components and subsystems compose Open System. Open Systems
have many advantages. They offer more choice to the user and a larger market to any
manufacturer interfaces (compatibility). In the European Community, there is a large
movement towards the exchange of products and components within an Open Systems
agreement, a movement called ManuBuild:
The ManuBuild vision is of a future where customers will be able to purchase high
quality, manufactured buildings having a high degree of design flexibility and at low cost
compared to today. For the first time, inspirational unconstrained building design will be
combined with highly efficient industrialized production.. ManuBuild targets a radical
breakthrough from the current craft and resource based construction to Open Building
Manufacturing, combining ultra-efficient (ambient) manufacturing in factories and on sites
with an open system for products and components offering diversity of supply in the market
(ManuBuild 2006).
Main topics for PERSPECTIVES research:
Dfd Method for achieving an Open Building Design.

Mixed structural system for the Support structure.
Applying IFD method to the Kit-of-parts support structure.
Organization of the design and building process according to levels.
Distinguish space layer from building level.
Move from building inflexibility to building-in flexibility.
***
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Alfonso del Aguila Garca, Las Tecnologas de la Industrializacin de los edificios

de vivienda, COAM( Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos de Madrid), Madrid, 1986.
Avi Friedman The Adaptable House Designig Homes for Change
107

September 2011
Durmisevic Elma , TRANSFORMABLEBUILDING STRUCTURES: Design for
disassembly as a way to introduce sustainable engineering to building design
&construction , Printed by: Cedris M&CC Leeghwaterstraat 42 2628 CA Delft, 2006
Frei Otto et altres, Arquitectura adaptable (Seminario organizado por el Instituto de
Estructuras Ligeras-IL), Editorial Gustavo Gili, S.A., Barcelona, 1979
Forty, A. (2000). Words And Buildings: A Vocabulary Of Modern Architecture. New
York, United States Of America: Thames & Hudson Inc.
Fred Turner (2008), From Counterculture to Cyberculture: Stewart Brand, the

Whole Earth Network, and the Rise of Digital Utopianism, University Of Chicago Press
Friedman, A. (2002). Planning The New Suburbia: Flexibility By Design.
Vancouver, Toronto, Canada: The University Of British Columbia Press.
Friedman, A. (2002). The Adaptable House: Designing Homes For Change. New
York: McGraw-Hill Professional
Helary French, Vivienda colectiva paradigmtica del siglo XX-plantas, secciones y

alzados(Titulo original: Key Urban Housing of the Twenthy Century, Laurence King
N.J. Habraken, Housing for the Milions
N.J. Habraken, Supports una alternative al alojamiento de masas / traduccin y
apndice Fernando Ramn Madrid, Alberto Coaraznes, DL 1975
N.J. Habraken, Supports an alternative to mass housing, The Architectural
Press, London, this translation 1972(original version 1961.
N.J Habraken. Gustavo Pili El diseo de soportes, S.A, Barcelona , 1979.
Oliver G. Hamm,Franziska von Gagern, Steidle + Partner: Wohnquartier
Freischtzstrasse, Mnchen Publishing Ltd., Londres, 2008, para la edicin castellana:
Editorial Gustavo Gili, SL, Barcelona, 2009
P. Bernard, La construccin por componentes compatibles , Editores tcnicos
asociados, s.a., Barcelona, 1983
Stephen Kendall and Jonathan Teicher, Residential Open Building, 301 p., Ill.,E &
FN Spon, London and New York, 2000, ISBN 0-419-23830
Stewart Brand How Buildings Learn: What Happens After Theyre Built Viking
Press, New York, 1994
***
108

September 2011
Papers in conference proceedings and journals
_ The Prefabricated House in the Twenty-First Century: What Can We Learn from
Japan? A Case Study of the KST-Hokkaido House
Linda Brock, Associate Professor, School of Architecture, University of British Columbia,
6333 Memorial Road, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1Z2.
James Brown, Intern Architect, 4-2222 Alma Street, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V63 3R3
_ Mtodo SAR de diseo
Carlo Alarcn, Gonzalo Herreros, Toms Morales, Linda Schilling. Cristbal Torres.
Taller 03 de Arquitectura / vivienda mnima.
Universidad Tcnica Federico Santa Mara (UTFSM),
Avda Espaa 1680, Valparaso, CHILE
_ INDUSTRIALISED, FLEXIBLE AND DEMOUNTABLE BUILDING SYSTEMS:
QUALITY, ECONOMY AND SUSTAINABILITY
Roger Bruno Richard, School of Architecture, Universit de Montral, Montreal (Quebec)
Canada ,The CRIOCM 2006 International Symposium onAdvancement of Construction
Management and Real Estate
_ Open Building as a condition for industrial construction
N. John Habraken, Prof. of Architecture, Emeritus, MIT
_ Flexible housing: opportunities and limits
Dr.Tatjana Schneider and Professor Jeremy Till, School of Architecture University of
Sheffield, Western Bank Sheffield s10 2tn uk t.schneider@sheffield.ac.uk
jtill@sheffield.ac.uk
_ KSI Experimental Housing Project - Pilot project of Kodan Skeleton Infill Housing
Satoshi Ikeda , Masami Amino, Urban Development Corporation
1-14-6 Kudan-kita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-8201, JAPAN;
Procedings of Continuous Customization in Housing, 16-18 October, 2000, Tokyo, Japan
_ AN INTRODUCTION TO OPEN BUILDING

Ype Cuperus, Director, OBOM Research Group, Delft University of Technology, De Vries
van Heystplantsoen 2628 RZ Delft, The Netherlands
_ Concept Home Principles. Flexible Floor Plans
Dr. Carlos Martn of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments Office of
Policy Development and Research. The text was developed by Tate Era, Christine Barbour,
and James Lyons, P.E., and reviewed by Mark Nowak of Newport Partners, LLC.
_ Towards Adaptable Buildings: pre-configuration and re-configuration two case
studies
109

September 2011
Alistair Gibb, Simon Austin, Andrew Dainty, Nigel Davison, Christine Pasquire,
Loughborough University, ManuBuild 1st International Conference The Transformation of
the Industry: Open Building Manufacturing 25-26 April 2007, Rotterdam
_ DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF FIRST SKELETON-RENT APARTMENT IN
THE PRIVATE SECTOR , S. Okamoto , Director general CRICT-JARGC Koto-ku, Tokyo;
T.Yashiro, professor, Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokio;
M.Matsuie, President, Arx Architects and Associates, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; M.Hayashi,
Menager of Building & Eng.Dept.P.S.Mitsubishi Construction Co.,Ltd., chuo-ku, Tokyo;
R.Tanaka, principal research staff, CRICT-JARGC; and Y.Watanabase, engineering staff,
Shiraishi Co.,Ltd.,Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
_ Is social housing still social? Reflections about the transformation in the notion of
social in European social housing policies
Claire Lvy-Vroelant, Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Paris 8 SaintDenis/Centre de Recherche sur lHabitat (CNRS), France
Christoph Reinprecht, Professor, University Department of Sociology, University of Vienna,
Austria
Paper presented in W06 Social Housing in Europe: Institutional and Organizational
Transformations ENHR, Prague, 28 June 1 July 2009
_ An Open Building Strategy for Achieving Dwelling Unit Autonomy in Multi-unitHousing Dr. Stephan Kendall
_ A Quality Model for Residential Houses Construction Processes
Volker SCHWIEGER, Li ZHANG, Matthias WENGERT, Germany
TS 10D - Building Measurement and Modelling, FIG Congress 2010
Facing the Challenges Building the Capacity
Sydney, Australia, 11-16 April 2010
_ The History of Developments toward Open Building in Japan
Seiichi Fukao, Faculty of environmental Sciences, Department of Architecture; 1-1 MinamiOsawa Hachioji-shi Tokyo 192-0397 Japan,sfukao@tmu.ac.jp
_ "Open Building: An Approach to Sustainable Architecture
Kendall, Stephen. 1999. Journal of Urban Technolow, vo1.6, no.3, pages 1-16, New York.
_AN OPEN BUILDING INDUSTRY: MAKING AGILE BUILDINGS THAT

ACHIEVE PERFORMANCE FOR CLIENTS
Dr. Stephen Kendall, CIB Director, Building Futures Institute, College of Architecture and
Planning Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, 47306
_Alkan, H. (1999). A Study On The Social Environmental Analysis Of The Qualitative
Values In Mass Housing Areas In Suburbs : A Case Study In Ankara-Eryaman. Middle East
Technical University, Department of City And Regional Planning. Ankara: Middle East
Technical University.
_Alpan, K. (1999). The Agency of The Architect In The Production Process Of
110

September 2011
Mass Housing. Middle East Technical University, Department of Architecture, Ankara:
Middle East Technical University.
***
The 1st International Conference: The Transformation of Industry: Open Building

Manufacturing 25, Rotterdam
_ Towards Adaptable Buildings: pre-configuration an re-configuration two case
studiesAlistair Gibb, Simon Austin, Andrew Dainty, Nigel Davison, Christine Pasquire,
Loughborough University, a.g.gibb@iboro.ac.uk
***
The 1st International Conference On Industrialised, Integrated, Intelligent Construction. 1416 May 2008
_ Under What Conditions are Industrialization and Integration Useful Concepts
in the Building Sector?Stephen H. Kendall, PhD, Professor of Architecture, Ball State
University, Muncie, Indiana, 47306, USA, skendall@bsu.edu
Internet:
http://housingprototypes.org
http://arqueologiadelfuturo.blogspot.com
http://ecosistemaurbano.org/tag/case-study/
Open Building Organization www.open-building.org
www.johnhabraken.org
John Habraken
Flexible Housing
www.flexiblehousing.org
References
Durmisevic, E. (2006). Transformable Building Structure: Design for disassembly as
a way to introduce sustainable engineering to building design & construction, Delft,
Netherlands
Habraken, N.J. (1961). Supports: an alternative to mass housing, London 1972,
Amsterdam 1961
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Habraken, N.J. (1976). Variations: The Systematic Design of Supports, Laboratory
of Architecture and Planning, M.I.T., Cambridge Mass., U.S.A
Habraken, N. J. (1975). Sopports una alternative al alojamiento de masas /
traduccin y apndice Fernando Ramn Madrid, Alberto Coaraznes, DL 1975
Habraken, N.J. www.habraken.com
Habraken, N. J. (2008). Design For Flexibility. Building Research & Information ,
36 (3), 290-296.
Heynen, H. (2005). Modernity And Domesticity: Tensions And Contradictions. In H.
Heynen, & G. Baydar (Eds.), Negotiating Domesticity: Spatial Productions Of Gender In
Modern Architecture (pp. 1-29). New York: Routlegde.
Ype Cuperus(2005): An Introduction to open building
Kendall, S. (2004). www.open-building.org/ob/next21.html
Kieran, S., and Timberlake, J. (2004). Refabricating Architecture: How
Manufacturing Methodologies Are Poised to Transform Building Construction, McGraw Hill,
New York, 107 + 115.
Leupen, B. (2003). De Veranderbare Woning. In B. Leupen, & J. Leupen, Dwelling
Architecture And Modernity (pp. 105-137). Delft: Faculteit Bouwkunde, Technische
Universiteit Delft.
ManuBuild (2006). Open Building Manufacturing, www.manubuild.org/summary
Roger Bruno Richard (2006). INDUSTRIALIZED, FLEXIBLE AND
DEMOUNTABLE BUILDING SYSTEM:QUALITY, ECONOMY AND SUSTAINABILITY; The
CRIOCM 2006 International Symposium on Advancement of Construction Management and
Real Estate
Rabeneck, A., Sheppard, D., & Town, P. (1973). Housing Flexibility? Architectural
Design , 43, 698-727.
Rabeneck, A., Sheppard, D., & Town, P. (1974). Housing: Flexibility/Adaptability?
Architectural Design , 44, 76-90.
Richard, R.B. (2005). Looking for an Optimal Urban Residential System?
International Journal of Construction Management, Vol. 5, No 2, 93-104.
Quah, L.K. (2004). Process Innovation for Design and Delivery of IFD Buildings,
www.bwk.tue.nl/ade/includes/download.php?fileId
Schneider, F. (2003). The Layout Of Apartment/The Floor Plan Idea. In B. Leupen, &
J. Leupen, Dwelling Architecture and Modernity (pp. 31-37). Delft, The Netherlands: Delft
University of Technology, Faculty of Architecture.
Schneider, T., & Till, J. (2007). Flexible Housing. Oxford, United Kingdom:
Architectural Press.
Schneider, T., & Till, J. (2005). Flexible Housing: Opportunities And Limits. Arq. ,
9 (2), 157-166.
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Taylor, B. B. (1991). Ahmet Glgnen. (N. F. Gulgonen, Ed.) Mimar: Architecture
In Development (41), 62-79.
Teige, K. (2002). The Minimum Dwelling. (E. Dluhosch, Trans.) Cambridge,
Massachusetts, United States Of America: The MIT Press.
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. (2003).
Retrieved
January 19, 2009, from The Free Dictionary by Farlex:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/convention
The Compact Edition Of the Oxford English Dictionary (Vol. 1). (1971).
London, England: Oxford University Press.
Till, J., & Schneider, t. (2005). Flexible Housing: The Means To The End. Arq , 9
(3/4), 287-296.
Till, J., Wigglesworth, S., & Schneider, T. (2004-6). Flexible Housing Project.
(University of Sheffield School of Architecture) Retrieved March 29, 2009, from Flexible
Housing: http://www.afewthoughts.co.uk/flexiblehousing/index.php=328
List of Figures
CHAPTER 1: Introduction to OPEN BUILDING

Fig 1: Housing for the Millions: John Habraken and the SAR (1960-2000): support and
infill system division
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September 2011
Fig.2 :Social Housing in Granollers, Spain, 2007: Conventional way of building (load bearing
partition walls, load bearing faade panel)
Fig.3: Decision-Making Levels in Open Building. Diagram courtesy of Age van Randen.
Fig. 4: Fast cycling elements SUPPORT level; slow cycling elements INFILL level /
Image drown by Kamo,2000
Fig. 5: Building layers according to Duffy (Duffy 1998)
Fig 6,7: Building layers according to Brand Sharing layers of change (Brand 1995)
Fig. 8: Type of flexibility determined by the combination of fixed and flexible levels /Leupen
2002
Fig. 9: Cristal Palace, London,1851
a) Kit of parts Building system
b) Detail of roof construction: demountable dray joints
c) Cristal Palace, London , 1851
Fig 10: Distinction between a Base Building and a Fit-Out Level (Kendall)
Fig 11: Review- Industrialization of the multifamily housing after the IIWW
Fig 12: Demolition of Mass Housing building (Kaptejins 1992)
Left: Diagram of functional and technical dependences
Fig 13: CLOSED BUILDING SYSTEM
Fig.14: Closed Building system: Functional dependency
Fig 15: Granollers Social Housing, Spain, 2007: a) detail of horizontal section of the faade
angle; b) detail of vertical section between interior partition wall and floor slab
Fig. 16- The large concrete panel with dimensions about 6 to 12 m and order of
about 5 tons of weight was logo of the European reconstruction after the WWII.
Fig. 17: Mass Housing Building and process of demolition
Fig.18: Cross-bearing structure by large concrete panels without any flexibility on the floor
plan (Foto J. Salas).
Fig. 19: Design characteristics of dynamic building system
Fig 20: Open Building conceptual and strategy framework
Fig. 21 : Siedlung Brombeeriweg, Zrich, Switzerland (architect: EM2N Architekten, 2003):
Transformations in the dwelling unit`s layout.
Fig. 22: SUPPORT and INFILLlevels and SI building system, image by Komo (2000)
Fig. 23: Flexus House, Takanaka Corporation Japan, 2000: Support Structure / Base
Building Detachable Units / Infill
***
CHAPTER 2: Evolution of Open Building approach in multifamily

housing
Fig 1: Mass Housing and total building system (left); support-infill building system (right)
Fig 2: Support structure system design
Left: Dwelling of Tomorrow, Wohnen Morgen, Ottokar Uhl and Jos P. Weber, Austria, 1976
Middle: NEXT 21 Prototype Multi-Family Housing Complex , Yositika UTIDA, Shu-Ko-Sha,
Osaka, Japan, 1994
Right: Flexsus House 22', Takenaka Corporation, Japan, 2000
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September 2011
Fig 3 1952_Kristalbouw| Jan Trapman | Amsterdam |The Netherlands
Left: Reinforced concrete structural frame(concrete slab, beam and column)
Right: Dwelling unit`s layout
Fig 4: 1974. N.J. Habraken. The systematic design of supports.Division of the space in
bands: margins and zones
Fig 5: margin zone in NEXT 21 multifamily building
Fig 6: Zones and Margins in NEXT 21 Multifamily Housing
Fig.7: Conventional structural system for residential buildings in Japan. (Drawing courtesy of
Building Research Institute, Ministry of Construction).
Fig. 8:Inverted Slab/Beam Support structure. Drawing courtesy of Building ResearchInstitute,
Ministry of Construction.
Fig. 9: Harumi Apartment Building, 1958
Fig 10: Interior of Harumi Project / Traditional Japanese wooden house
Fig.11: KEP experimental Skeleton, 1974 / image by Seiichi Fukao
Fig.12: KEP system catalogue / image by Seiichi Fukao
Fig.13a: JHC Free Space, image by Seiichi Fukao
Fig.13b: Free Space (skeleton), image by Seiichi Fukao
Fig.13c: Free Space (center zone), Seiichi Fukao
Fig.13d: Free Space (plan & section), image by Seiichi Fukao
Fig.14: CHS Teradamachi Apartment / image by Seiichi Fukao
Fig.15: CHS Teradamachi Apartment: Plan and section / image by Seiichi Fukao
Fig.16: Green Village Utsukidai, Japan Housing Corporation,1992 / image by Seiichi Fukao
Fig.17: Green Village Utsukidai: Plan and section / image by Seiichi Fukao
Fig.18: NEXT 21, Osaka, Japan, 1994: SI(support-infill) system
Fig.19: NEXT 21 dwelling unit number 302 (drown by Kozo Kadovaki)
Fig. 20: Flexsus House 22, 2000 /image by Seiichi Fukao
Fig. 21: Flexsus House 22 (corridor) /image by Seiichi Fukao
Fig. 22 The Weissenhofsiedlung Experimental Housing Project, Mies van der Rohe,
Stuttgart, Germany
a) Design layout of building support concrete s
tructure
b) Design layout of dwelling units: many transformations in of the residential space.
c) The Weissenhofsiedlung Experimental Housing Project: Ouside look.
Fig.23: The Weissenhofsiedlung housing project by Mies van der Rohe, 1927: Variation of
the some function in different units layouts
Fig.24: A Support is not a Skeleton. Image courtesy of N.J. Habraken
Fig.25: Daigram: From Mass Housing to Residential Open Building
Fig.26: Kristalbouw project (1952) by Jan Trapman, Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Support
structure and infill division of the building layout.
Fig.27: Kallebck experimental housing (1960) by Erik Friberger, Sweden: left: support
structure; middle:infill partitions and dwelling layouts; right; building faade
Fig.28: The Weissenhofsiedlung Experimental Housing Project, Mies van der Rohe,
Stuttgart, Germany, 1927
Fig.29: 1960_ Kallebck Experimental Housing | Erik Friberger | Sweden:
Left: Load bearing structure and commn building services
Right: Free arrangement of the infill layout
Fig.30: 1972_Genterstrasse | Otto Steidle | Munich: Building structure design
Fig.31: 1972_Genterstrasse | Otto Steidle | Munich: Dwelling units design
Fig.32: 1972_Genterstrasse | Otto Steidle | Munich : Prefabricated concrete column with
corbels.
***
115

September 2011
CHAPTER 3: How the Multifamily Building work? PRINCIPLES,

STRATEGIES AND METHODS FOR SYSTEMATIC APPROACH
Fig.1: Flexibility levels
Fig.2: NEXT 21: Floor plan with different dwelling typologies
Fig 3: NEXT 21: Dwelling unit typologies
Fig.4: NEXT 21: dwelling unit transformation
Fig.5: NEXT 21: The flat 202 FULL POTRNCIAL FLEXIBILITY of dwelling unit layout /
(a,b,c,d,e are transormations)
Fig.6: NEXT21 before remodeling (left); NEXT21 after remodeling (right)
Fig.7: Three key examples: CASE 1:Minimal dwelling and free plan in 1920 for free floor
plan arrangement. CASE 2: SI Building System and separation of infill content from
supportlevel a step further to independent infill content. CASE 3: IFD Building System.
SI Building System is done with full hierarchy arrangement of independent subsystem and
components.
Fig.8: Cedric Price Fun Palac, 1961
Fig.9: Weissenhofsiedlung Experimental Housing Project, Mies van der Rohe, , Stuttgart,
Germany, 1927
Fig.10: Building systems with concrete panel
Fig.11: Closed-static and open-dynamic building system for building structure
Fig.12: NEXT 21 SI(support-infill) detachable unit
Fig.13:Diagram :Illustrates the number of independent functional and technical levels within
theNext 21 project, Durmisevic 2007
Fig.14: Systematization of building parts (M.Tichem 1997)
Fig.15: Closed versus dynamic system hierarchy
KEY DEVELOPMENT STARTEGIES

Fig.1: NEXT 21 two levels: SUPPORT and INFILL
Fig 2: NEXT 21 Building System
Fig.3: NEXT 21 Building structure: left-plan of load bearing concrete skeleton; right:
axonometric view
Fig. 4: Common services and dwelling unit services /vertical section
Fig. 5: Cross section of dwelling unit with separation of support and infill services in
different spatial zones
Fig. 6: NEXT 21: Common building services
Fig. 7: NEXT 21: Wiring and piping for gas, water and electricity are located in raised floors.
Fig. 8: Next 21 Cladding system
Fig. 9: NEXT 21: Subsystem at the infill level
Fig.10: Functional distribution in zones and margins of building layout and dwelling unit
vertical section
Fig 11: Polvori Multifamily Housing: Design of building structure
Fig.12 Polvori Multifamily Housing: SI System
Fig.13:Polvori Multifamily Housing: IFD components for building structureLeft: 3d
prefabricated concrete modules, middle: pillars and beams concrete porches
Fig 14: Polvori Multifamily Housing: Faade panels as IFD system
Fig.15: Polvori Multifamily Housing: Infill partition walls
Fig 16: Polvori Multifamily Housing: Functional distribution in the building layout
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September 2011
Fig 17: Building structure: plan and axonometric
Fig.18: NEXT 21 and Polvor support structure
Fig.19: NEXT 21- Dwelling unit 202
Fig.20: NEXT 21: Multifamily Housing: Dweling unit 302 transformations of all infill
subsystems
Fig.21: Polvor Multifamily Housing: Mayor building subsystems
Fig.22: Polvori Multifamily Building, 2005: Integrated design for building structure
Fig 23: Systematic design according to Levels of Control and Building System method
Fig.24: Building structure design and configuration
Fig.25:1972, Wohnanlage Genter Strasse, Otto Steidle & Partners
Fig.26: Polvori Multifamily Housing: Distribution of functions into functional zones
Fig.27: NEXT21: Functional distribution in zones and margins
Fig.28: NEXT 21 Kit-of-parts Building System and Polvori Integrated IFD system for
building structure.
Fig.29: NEXT 21: Independent subsystems: structure, plumbing, envelope, infill( all
subsystems at the infill level)
Fig.30: Polvori MH: SI building system / right: support structure and faade; middle:
service; left: infill partitions
Fig.31: NEXT21: Open Hierarchy at infill level
Fig.32: IFD innovation strategies
Fig.33: Flexibility on the support level for the flexibility at the infill level
Fig.34: support is permanent system; infill is IFD system: mayor subsystems at the
infill level
Fig.35: Next 21 Multifamily project: 2 transformation of all dwelling unit 302
Fig.36: Next 21 | A Prototype Multi-Family Housing Osaka Gas with SHU-KO-SHA arch. and
urban design studio, Japan | 1994 |Transformationof unit envelope
Fig.37: Process review: IFD METHOD FOR THE OPEN BUILDING APPROACH
Fig.38:bGenterstrasse_ Munich_Otto Steidle_1972: Detail of the column with the corbels
Fig.39: Application of IFD method for the support level (structure)
Fig 40: Main IFD criteria for the NEXT21 support-infill system
Fig.41: IFD Case Study- detached house Container house in Huston
Fig.42: Huston house: Building system configuration
Fig.43: Huston house: Facade
Fig.44: Genterstrasse_ Munich_Otto Steidle_1972: Skeleton column with corbels.
***

Fig 1:The Weissenhofsiedlung Experimental Housing Project | Mies van der Rohe |
Stuttgart | Germany Design of building structure
Fig 2a: building load bearing structure design of building structure
Fig 2c: Building transformations: bright color highlights different dwelling`s arrangements.
These transformations could happen independently in time.
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September 2011
Fig. 3: 1952_Kristalbouw| Jan Trapman | Amsterdam |The Netherlands Design of building
structure
Fig4a: building load bearing structure : Skeleton frame consists of columns and beams of
cast-in-place concrete design of building structure
Fig4c, 4d: Building transformations: green color highlights different units changes of the
bathroom and kitchen position. These transformations could happen independently in time.
Fig 5: Design of building structure
Fig 6: Kallebck SI Building system
Fig 7a: Kallebck building load bearing structure
Fig 7b: infill content
Fig 8: Kallebck independent infill system
Fig. 9: 1972_Genterstrasse | Otto Steidle | Munich
Left: Building structure design
Fig. 10: Genter Strasse Multifamily Building :SI (support-infill) building
Fig. 11: Genter Strasse Multifamily Building: Detaill of the concrete column with corbels
Fig.12: Dwelling for Tomorrow/ Support structure(left, middle); right skeleton frame
(S.Kandell)
Fig.13: Dwelling for Tomorrow: Interior subdivision of the space (S. Kandell)
Fig.14: Dwelling for Tomorrow: The load bearing structure
Fig.15: 1976 _ Dwelling for Tomorrow | Ottokar Uhl and J.P.Weber | Austria
Fig.16: 2001_Flexsus House 22| Takenaka Corporation | Japan
Fig.17: Flexus House, Takanaka Corporation Japan /SI (support-infill) building levels
Fig. 18: Siedlung Hegianwandweg: Japan /SI (support-infill) building levels
Fig. 19: 2003 _ Siedlung Hegianwandweg | EM2N Architekten | Switzerland
Fig.20: Siedlung Hegianwandweg : Entire plan as a free space
Fig. 21: Siedlung Hegianwandweg: Building system: Centrl concrete core and wooden
panels
Fig. 21b: Siedlung Hegianwandweg: Building system: Central concrete core and wooden
panels
***

Fig.1: Integrated design solution
Fig.2: The best practices of design building structure to achieve Open Multifamily Building
118

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Universidad Politcnica de Catalunya

Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectnicas I

Multifamily Open Building

Multifamily Open Building:

Multifamily Open Building

CHAPTER 2: Evolution of Open Building approach in Multifamily

2.2. From Mass Housing to Residential Open Building

2.3. The main transition in the conceptual framework

CHAPTER 3: How the Multifamily Open Buildings work? PRINCIPLES,

3.2. Specific technical strategies

Multifamily Open Building

Open system hierarchy and base element specification.

3.3. Key development strategies

CHAPTER 4: RELATED WORKS

1927 | The Weissenhofsiedlung Experimental Housing Project |

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND PERSPECTIVES

Multifamily Open Building

Multifamily Open Building

CHAPTER 1: Introduction to OPEN BUILDING

What is Open Building?

Open Building is a multidisciplinary approach applied in building design that

Fig 1: Housing for the Millions: John Habraken and the

Multifamily Open Building

1.1.1. Two principal concepts that define Open Building

Multifamily Open Building

Multifamily Open Building

Fig. 4: Fast cycling elements SUPPORT level; slow cycling elements

Another approach to systematization of changing levels within the building is done by

Fig. 5: Building layers according to Duffy (Duffy 1998)

Multifamily Open Building

Fig 6,7: Building layers according to Brand Sharing

Multifamily Open Building

Fig. 8: Type of flexibility determined by the combination of

BUILDING SYSTEM APPROACH

Cristal Palace is a truly

Multifamily Open Building

Multifamily Open Building

Multifamily Open Building

What is Multifamily Open Building?

Developments toward Multifamily Open Building stand to support tenants rights

Multifamily Open Building

1.2.1 Main Problem definition

Multifamily building as a finished product is a synonym for the building where

Multifamily Open Building

Fig 13: CLOSED SYSTEM

Fig 12: Demolition of Mass Housing building (Kaptejins 1992)

Fig.14: Closed Building System: Functional dependency

CLOSED HIERARCHIES of different elements / traditionally all building

Without SYSTEMATIZATION AND BASE ELEMENT SPECIFICATION

Multifamily Open Building

High complicity of connection between elements without INTERFACE

Fig. 16: The large concrete panel with

Multifamily Open Building

Fig. 17: Mass Housing Building and process of demolition

Multifamily Open Building

Multifamily Open Building

1.2.2. MAIN OBJECTIVES

Multifamily Open Building

Fig. 19: Design characteristics of dynamic building system

Fig x: Open Building conceptual and strategy framework

17 and strategy framework

Multifamily Open Building

OBJECTIVES FOR BUILDING DESIGN: