Designed to change: The future of architecture is Agile.

We live in increasingly unpredictable and turbulent times. The physical form of cities is radically changing. Societies confront unprecedented and accelerating trends in urbanization, political instability, climate change and technological transformation. While we can identify aspects of existing structures that have enhanced aptitude to adapt, it is not guaranteed that mutable features will function effectively in the future. Predicting social, technological or climate change proves impossible. Designing for future cities cannot be about foreseeing tomorrow, rather it must be about creating capacity now given uncertainty later.

The present research pursues strategies that are both responsive and holistic integrating aspects of durability, flexibility and responsibility while introducing social, environmental, and economic factors via a framework for dynamic design. Agile architecture demands a frame driven by an attitude that connects lessons from the past, necessities of the present and indeterminacies of the future. The research first critically assesses the status quo, then pursues concepts of greater agility in contemporary building design—using case study and survey methods to illuminate best practices and identify potential. The work synthesizes an approach for Agility + sustainability that is relevant worldwide.

The authors delineate a theoretical foundation needed to inform and inspire the frame. Seminal cases of Agile residential projects are strategically drawn from geographic regions with the highest current and projected floor area in the 21st century, aiming to illustrate progressive concepts within design, construction, legislative and/or financial ethos. Key deficiencies in the marketplace are illuminated as well as contextual barriers against formulating/implementing such an innovative approach. Advancing Gordon’s 3L principle, Open Building (OB) and Sinclair’s Holistic Framework for Design + Planning, the forthcoming integrative model aims at realizing potent Agile solutions—in essence migrating away from static modern architecture. When buildings are designed to readily cope with change, our cities can approach meaningful sustainability.