Ladinski, V (2017) Designing for adaptability: The Gateshead Civic Centre. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 35(4), pp. 380-396.
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of early design decisions made in the 1980s upon the future adaptability of the Gateshead Civic Centre building and the implementation of a workspace strategy in the 2010s, and how they have supported the efficiencies achieved through the increase in office workspace numbers, and the associated advantages of accommodating more employees within the Civic Centre. Design/methodology/approach Available documents related to the original development of the Gateshead Civic Centre and the 2010s workspace-related adaptations were examined to establish potential links between the two, and compare the findings with designing for adaptability-related research. Findings The results show that the early design decisions made in the 1980s have contributed to the future adaptability of the building and thus facilitated the implementation of a workspace strategy within Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council in the 2010s. In addition, they have supported the achievement of other efficiencies through the increase in office workspace numbers and location of more employees within the Civic Centre. The findings can guide future trends within the Council, as well as inform organisations on the potential benefits of designing for adaptability. Originality/value The study provides a prospective consideration of how an early design decision influenced the long-term adaptability of the building.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | sustainability; local authorities; design for adaptability; office design; space planning |
| Index terms: | office design, implementation, adaptation, design for adaptability, workspace, efficiency, design decision, documents, adaptability, methodology, space planning, local authority, strategy |
| Subjects: | user focus, contractual arrangements, professional development, design process, management, design practice, research methods, performance management, specialized design, sociology |
| Topics: | Procurement, Stakeholder Management, Information Management, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Quality Management, Design Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here