CHANGES IN BUILDINGS

CHANGES IN BUILDINGS

Buildings during their life change, occasionally and continually. These changes are intentional actions as well as inadvertent changes. The later type of changes occur on their own (as the inevitable process of ageing), in spite of all the remedial measures, and also due to the side effects of the intentional changes.

Intentional changes in buildings are due to maintenance, repairs, alterations, additions, extensions, preservation, reformation, conservation, downsizing and demolitions. Some of these changes occur several times in the life of a building. Some changes are made at regular intervals as a precautionary measure, because their needs are probable. Other changes are made very rarely, only when there are compelling reasons.

ADOPTIVE CHANGES

Nominally a well conceived building will not require any change for the first few years. However, buildings, immediately on occupation, see adoptive changes for several reasons. Buildings that have been designed with ‘common parameters or for standard set of users’ require adoptive changes to suit the personal needs. Such adoptive changes occur mainly in the internal domain of the property, rather then on the exterior face. Buildings that have been acquired for their architectural prestige see very limited adoptive changes. Buildings acquired by brand conscious companies see many changes to bring it to their brand image. Old building that are being resurrected with new functions require changes to fit in new functions and new means of functionality.

TRIVIAL or NON-SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES

Trivial or non-substantive changes are caused by the user, without the help of a professional designer. Such changes are limited to the interior domain of the space. These are personal adoptive changes. Highly articulated spaces have a either a very strict regimen or very neatly defined functionality, and so do not allow major changes. A person acquires such a space at a premium rent or charge, is aware of the restrictions, and so may not have the obsession for change. Trivial changes relate more to the sensorial aspects of an interior space rather then its spatial quality. Such changes are ‘appliqué’ and do not affect the depth of the structure. The application or removal, both are ‘benign’ or non ‘causative’.

SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES

Buildings need substantive changes mainly when the user or usage change. Substantive changes are either in internal or external domains, but sometimes in both the domains. External changes are difficult in buildings with multiple owners (shared) as there is obligatory discipline. Similarly buildings located in dense localities have severe logistics problems that makes it very difficult to cause any changes on the external face. Multi storied buildings with nearly integrated curtain walls as the exterior skin offers no scope for any external modification. Buildings in ‘conserved neighbourhoods’ cannot have any change on the external face, and sometimes similar rules apply for internal alterations.

Substantive changes are caused by brand conscious companies that have very defined parametric regarding Graphics, Space and Architecture. To accommodate first two the architecture is altered. Substantive changes relate to immediate commercial needs, and also to perception on how long one will stay in the new premises.