Future Fantasies: Case Study #3

Metastadt, built in the city if Wulfren - Germany in 1974 and designed by architects, van den Broek and Bakema is an excellent early example of the flexible, modular design I feel is integral to include in my Learning Centre for Project 2.

I believe modular design is the best means of providing adaptable spaces that can be retro-fitted, re-purposed, maintained and deconstructed with the greatest ease, which are issues that need to come to the fore-front when designing for sustainability.

“The Metastadt building system was supposed to provide a concept for a flexible model of urbanism. A pilot scheme supported by the Federal Government, the system behind the Metastadt development is that of a space plan that is supposed to be capable of unlimited horizontal and vertical growth. The space frame structure itself is bolted to allow easy assembly and disassembly which allows for everything to remain changeable and adaptable. The infill system is separate from structural system: the office spaces have demountable walls whilst partition walls in apartments are made of plasterboard. One further aspect that contributes to the system's flexibility is the servicing system, which is accommodated in raised floors with a clearance of 0.45m.”

Although the building was demolished in the early 1980s due to technical faults caused by cost-cutting measures, the underlying concept of a ‘flexible model of urbanism’ acieved through modular, flexible design is still utilised today in many effective and still-standing forms.

The website titled Flexible Housing http://www.afewthoughts.co.uk/flexiblehousing/timeline.php is an excellent place to browse these projects in an easy to read Timeline format. The projects that have really resonated with me and will in some way inform my architectural entity’s form, function and aesthetic can be seen below.