The building function is the intended use of a building: what it is designed and fitted out for. Examples include residential, office, industrial, education, healthcare or retail use.
Why is the building function important?
The function of a building governs almost every design choice:
- Layout: a home requires different spaces than a factory hall.
- Safety: a hospital, for instance, faces stricter requirements than storage.
- Fire compartmentation: the number and size of compartments depend on the use.
- Building services: heating, ventilation and lighting are matched to the function.
In Dutch building regulations, the building function is closely tied to the formal concept of the “use function”, which sets the requirements for each type of use.
Application
The building function plays a role in several stages:
- Permit: the application must make clear which function the building will have.
- Zoning plan: the function must fit within the permitted designation of the location.
- Repurposing: a change of function (for example office to residential) often triggers additional requirements and a fresh assessment.
Related terms
- Use function
- Zoning plan
- Building code
- Use area
- Repurposing
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