The construction industry is facing a fundamental challenge as buildings struggle to adapt to rapidly changing needs, climate policies, and market conditions. A groundbreaking conference is set to address this critical issue by promoting the concept of adaptable buildings that can evolve over time rather than being demolished and rebuilt.
The inaugural Adaptable Building Conference (ABC) will take place on January 22, 2026, at the Nieuwe Instituut in Rotterdam, bringing together industry professionals to transform adaptability from a theoretical principle into practical implementation. The conference aims to address the growing problem of static building stock that results in waste, noise, downtime, and in worst-case scenarios, stranded assets.
Modern buildings face unprecedented pressure to change faster than their original construction timelines. Shifting tenant needs, tightening climate policies, and rising office vacancies have exposed the significant costs of inflexible architecture. Work patterns, technologies, and regulations are evolving at an accelerated pace, leaving many buildings struggling to remain relevant and profitable.
The concept of adaptable buildings traces its roots back to the 1960s when architect N. John Habraken proposed separating long-life "support" structures from changeable "infill" components. This revolutionary approach challenged architects to design for multiple potential futures rather than fixed end states. Stephen Kendall, a featured speaker at the upcoming conference, has dedicated decades to advancing this philosophy and documenting efforts to industrialize architectural change.
Historical examples demonstrate the viability of adaptable design principles. The Matura infill system, developed in the late 20th century, standardized elements and interfaces to allow home reconfiguration without structural modifications. Similarly, Osaka's Next 21 project, commissioned by Osaka Gas, showcased building-scale adaptability through robust structures, flexible service routes, adaptable floor systems, and layouts capable of transformation over time.
Contemporary pressures have intensified the need for adaptable architecture. Hybrid work arrangements, rapidly shifting tenant requirements, energy cost volatility, and stricter environmental regulations are forcing property portfolios to adapt more frequently with minimal disruption. This has created an urgent demand for buildings that can evolve throughout their operational lifespan rather than requiring complete reconstruction every few decades.
Several organizations are working to translate open-building principles for today's construction industry. The American Council on Open Building compiles research and guidelines, while groups like OpenBuilding.co connect these concepts to European construction contexts. Their central message emphasizes treating adaptability as a comprehensive system involving structural grids capable of hosting multiple uses, service zones with adequate capacity and access, infill designed for disassembly and reuse, and data systems that track components throughout their lifecycles.
Despite strong theoretical foundations, significant barriers remain to widespread adoption. Building services are typically routed and enclosed as permanent installations, making even minor modifications disruptive. Regulatory frameworks and permitting processes usually evaluate buildings at single points in time rather than as evolving systems, complicating ongoing adaptations. Additionally, financing and valuation models continue to favor one-time fit-outs over long-term performance, despite the efficiency, speed, and retained value that adaptability can provide.
The Adaptable Building Conference will focus particularly on office building stock, featuring case-study presentations, practical tools, and industry debates. Topics will include data-driven feasibility assessments for conversions, clean construction pathways at city scale, ESG-grade data for adaptation projects, and industrialized systems for long-life, loose-fit structures. Distinguished speakers include Steven Paynter from Gensler, Cécile Faraud from C40, Paco Bunnik representing the City of Amsterdam, Martine Gründemann from Zadelhoff, Daniel Veenboer from Ramboll, Hubert Rhomberg from CREE, and Professor Tom Frantzen from Eindhoven University of Technology.
One significant outcome the conference aims to develop is a pathway toward an adaptable building certificate. This certification system would complement existing sustainability and well-being standards, enabling clients to specify adaptability requirements, design teams to deliver measurable solutions, and property owners to demonstrate performance over time. The certification's primary goal is practical implementation, making adaptability something that can be clearly defined, properly funded, and accurately measured.
The construction industry's pioneers demonstrated how to separate permanent structural elements from changeable components. The current challenge involves embedding this separation into contracts, building codes, and construction practices so that buildings can evolve with reduced waste and minimal disruption. As the industry designs for an uncertain future, adaptability represents not merely a design style but the fundamental essence of contemporary architecture.
