Abstract

One of the goals of this paper is to help understand adaptability in architecture. This includes various types of adaptability features, their importance and uses in terms of sustainability, economy and quality of life. Several interpretations of adaptability and flexibility from various researchers will be discussed, along with examples and case studies. However, the main aim of the paper is to discuss the needs of students and their desire and need for adaptability in their accommodation; focusing on the question that do students really need or use adaptable features when they want to stay for a short academic period in the accommodation. Based on the literature, we will see that adaptability has a lot to do with increasing the life of an accommodation in the sense that the inhabitants do not need to move to another house or apartment once their current accommodation is of no use to them. The adaptable accommodation will be able to #x2018;adapt#x2019; to their ever-changing circumstances. However, the paper will focus very much on students, staying in a relatively adaptable accommodation and their response to the adaptable features offered to them. Do they even use these features as they are staying for only a short period?