What if our homes were literally built for change? That adaptive reality is the heart of a new FRAME x Fragile white paper powered by German building material company Knauf.

A collaboration between FRAME, concept and venture studio Fragile, Knauf and Levi Hayes Studio, Design for Life: Building the Adaptive Home explores the promise and potential of adaptive living spaces. Based on interviews with 21 professionals spanning architecture, construction, real estate development and interior design, the white paper outlines how buildings can respond to changing needs, living conditions and technological advancements without adversely affecting our planet.

Thomas Voigt, head of global product management for Dry Lining Systems at Knauf, underlines the importance of this agility. ‘The construction industry is undergoing a radical change – one that will bring out new solutions with people and our planet at their centre,’ he says. ‘This is probably one of the biggest revolutions to happen since Knauf was founded, and certainly the most important one. Knauf's future strategy is committed to driving the change we need to see, aiming to enable livable, long-lasting and environmentally conscious buildings.’ 

Covering six chapters, Design for Life provides insightful context and critical action points. ‘For decades, we have seen buildings built as static entities in rectangular boxes,’ Florijn Vriend, head of wellbeing and social impact at EDGE Technologies, shares. To overcome this, John Long, director of Igloo Regeneration, advocates for structures to be seen as ‘platforms on which people can live across many phases of their lives.’ This mindset shift can make for more resilient communities, stimulate wellbeing across buildings, neighbourhoods and cities, and increase real estate values in the short- and long- terms – not to mention lay the foundation for more sustainable living.

Adaptability is crucial at home, as it helps us navigate the times we live in and leave better environments for generations to follow. From rendering walls demountable and mobile to installing modular components and rethinking frame construction, our white paper provides the thinking toolkit you need to truly design for life. Download it below.