Designing for adaptability: The Gateshead Civic Centre

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of early design decisions made in the 1980s upon the future adaptability of the Gateshead Civic Centre building and the implementation of a workspace strategy in the 2010s, and how they have supported the efficiencies achieved through the increase in office workspace numbers, and the associated advantages of accommodating more employees within the Civic Centre.

Design/methodology/approach

Available documents related to the original development of the Gateshead Civic Centre and the 2010s workspace-related adaptations were examined to establish potential links between the two, and compare the findings with designing for adaptability-related research.

Findings

The results show that the early design decisions made in the 1980s have contributed to the future adaptability of the building and thus facilitated the implementation of a workspace strategy within Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council in the 2010s. In addition, they have supported the achievement of other efficiencies through the increase in office workspace numbers and location of more employees within the Civic Centre. The findings can guide future trends within the Council, as well as inform organisations on the potential benefits of designing for adaptability.

Originality/value

The study provides a prospective consideration of how an early design decision influenced the long-term adaptability of the building.

Citation

Ladinski, V. (2017), "Designing for adaptability: The Gateshead Civic Centre", International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, Vol. 35 No. 4, pp. 380-396. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBPA-02-2017-0008