Transformable Architecture, A key to Improve stadiums & sports buildings.

Abstract

Nowadays, needs are changing rapidly. New technologies are developed to achieve responsive architecture trends to these changes. One of these trends is called Transformable Architecture. Transformable architecture is listed under the kinetic architecture. It is defined as buildings – in a fixed place - that can change its form, configuration and properties, for a need or a purpose. Its applications are varied from moving the roof structure, building spaces, façade components and interior components and furnishing. Roof structure can be moved by different ways, by moving roof parts; like overlapping, or by transforming roof structure; like retraction or deploying. By such, transformable architecture introduces a lot of solutions, which can improve the buildings' functional, environmental, aesthetic and economic properties. Functional properties, as making the building alters its function to another, change its form and configuration to host another event. Environmental properties, that makes the building able to host events throughout the year and making it energy efficient. Aesthetic properties, -which caused by motion – as it makes the building attractive with appropriate visual impact. As a result, the economic properties of the building are improved. So, there is no need to construct very expensive wide span buildings for each game. Particularly, in large crowded cities like Cairo (the capital city of Egypt), where there is no enough free area for such activities. Also, there is an ability to increase income by multi-use, energy efficiency, and tourism attraction. Hence, transformable architecture is a key to improve stadiums and sports buildings, and in turn improve its functional, environmental, aesthetic and economic properties. This paper tries to highlight the role of transformable architecture in stadiums and show the importance of improving stadium abilities and properties. This is done through review the literature and analyses a number of case studies in order to investigate the different impacts of employing this technique in their buildings. A number of recommendations on using such technique in Egyptian stadiums and sports buildings are drawn as key directions to improve them.