Flexible housing in the 21st century: three contemporary case studies

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Thesis Type: Postgraduate

Institution Of The Thesis: Middle East Technical University, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, Turkey

Approval Date: 2020

Student: Mert Durmaz

Supervisor: AYDAN BALAMİR

Abstract:

This thesis is an investigation of the current position of flexible housing practiced today. Flexibility is observed since the most initial shelters functioned as demountable dwellings. The objective of this research is to explore whether flexible housing in current practice displays new pioneering solutions or continue with established models. In order to achieve the goal, the historic background of flexible housing is examined first, focusing on acknowledged precedents in this field. Then, selected case studies are analyzed and compared to them in terms of three contrasting pairs of criteria: Rate of user participation and empowerment of architect, individual and communal life in dwellings, conventionality and novelty of building methods and materials. In the end, it is found that selected case studies do not offer an impactful novelty like an avant-garde although they are not identical with precedents.