РЕТРОСПЕКТИВНИЙ ОГЛЯД АРХІТЕКТУРНИХ ПРАКТИК ТА ТЕОРІЙ У КОНТЕКСТІ КОНЦЕПЦІЇ ГНУЧКОСТІ В АРХІТЕКТУРІ

This article traces the historical evolution of the flexibility concept in architecture, conducting a retrospective review of architectural practices from ancient times to theories of the twentieth century. The article explores the underlying causes of the concept's emergence and development. Analyzing works and practices from ancient builders to 20th-century masters. By analyzing historical examples, it was found that the aspect of flexibility has been an integral part of architectural practice from the ancient world to the present. A cause-and-effect relationship between the development of technological innovations in construction and the deepening of the phenomenon of flexibility in architecture has been revealed. If for primitive housing the phenomenon of flexibility was limited and manifested in the variability of the use of the same room, that is, it took the form of multifunctionality, then with the beginning of the use of bronze and iron tools by nomadic tribes, it led to the creation of appropriate easily prefabricated structures, such as tents, Indian tepee, yurts, in which flexibility took the form of mobility. In ancient times, the concept of flexibility moved to the urban planning level in the form of a grid or orthogonal street planning method. A quarter in such a system was a structural unit that was universal and allowed to build new ones, replace some buildings with others, change their functional purpose, and scale without changing the system as a whole. In the Middle Ages, a universal module was used to build Japanese traditional housing — tatami dimensions, a technique that allowed determining the proportions and sizes of rooms and even disassembling and moving the house to another location. The Industrial Revolution and subsequent urbanization in the 19th century created fertile ground for the development of new technologies and a deeper understanding of flexibility in architecture. The twentieth century was a revolutionary era for flexibility in architecture, namely the use of new materials in construction, such as steel and reinforced concrete. Modernist architects such as Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe, and Frank Lloyd Wright exploited the possibilities offered by new materials and pioneered advanced design principles that emphasized open plans, openness, and technological innovation. In the twenty-first century, the concept of flexibility has taken on new meaning, driven by rapid technological change, a dynamic society, and the growing importance of environmental sustainability. The need for buildings that can adapt to changing work patterns, demographic changes and the effects of climate change has become paramount. This study emphasizes that flexibility in architecture is not just a design trend, but a fundamental principle that addresses the ongoing challenge of creating a sustainable and rapidly modifiable built environment. As the world faces rapid urbanization, technological shifts, and climate change, the principles of flexibility will continue to play a crucial role in shaping human-centered architectural solutions. The historical and theoretical information presented in this article emphasizes the importance of understanding and accepting flexibility as an integral part of architectural practice.