Spontaneous (Adaptive) Architecture is the way of the future

 “As a vehicle of Urbanism, the indeterminacy of the Skyscraper suggests that—in the Metropolis—no single specific function can be matched with a single place. Through this destabilization it is possible to absorb the “change that is life” by continuously rearranging functions on the individual platforms in an incessant process of adaptation that does not affect the framework of the building itself.” – Rem Koolhaas

With our rapidly changing environment - from internet transactions to the increasingly prominent virtual reality – architects have no choice but to adapt to spontaneous changes in lifestyle through architecture. Spatial needs take on a different form in the present than they have previously. Take drafting desks, for instance. These were originally intended for hand drafting, and they were built to with a massive surface area, have a higher tabletop with a parallel bar, and a shelf or platform for rolling pencils. Now, Lee III desks have adapted to our changing drafting preferences, including a flat tabletop to accommodate our computers and monitors, lower heights for us to sit, grommets for the various cables and cords, and drawers which can be reversed to create additional surface area. Models can be built, and hand drawings could be done on these desks, but the space is not nearly as conducive to these actions as to drafting on a computer.

Take additional cultural changes and think about upcoming architecture. Workplaces with remote workers no longer need desk space for each employee. Instead, they might require a beefed-up projection and audio system for companywide meetings. Additionally, a reduction in personal transit will lend itself to a covered entry or walkway in lieu of a parking garage.

As consumers, we recognize that the smallest changes, like the inclusion of a USB port in an outlet, make a world of difference in our experience. As architects, we should be expected to adapt our designs to the changing culture of society.