Project Proposal

PROPOSAL

GROUP: GM2Z

TOPIC:  LIVING SPACE GETTING SMALLER AND SMALLER

Definition

Our definition of ‘living space’ is a habitable space in a dwelling, or the amount of space people has to live in. Living space is defined as ‘small’ if it is below the average living space size of a country. However, the term ‘small’ is arbitrary because average size differs between countries.

Is living space getting smaller?

In general, yes. The average area of Singapore HDB flats in the 1980s is 1130 square feet. In 2012, the number has dropped to 969 square feet.

Why is it getting smaller?

Average living space becomes smaller because of the increasing population. As more and more people live in an area, there will be a shortage of land. Thus the amount of space allocated for each residential unit decrease.

People may also intentionally choose to live in smaller houses or apartments. They are less expensive, easier to maintain and require less furniture to fill up the space. For investors, they are easier to resell, and is attractive for singles, college students, and people with small families. There is also a change of taste in the general market, as people today are more willing to spend money on experience (such as travelling and/or hobbies) rather than building a bigger house.

In many cases, living space is not actually decreasing. However, rooms may appear to look smaller because of several reasons. Some examples are; dark coloured wall paint, low ceiling, bad windows, cluttered things, and furniture that do not match.

Why is it a problem or burden?

From the empathy exercise, we concluded that small living space can be a serious issue for residents, more so in the case of senior citizens and disabled people. The most common issue concerns the convenience of the residents, such as misplacing things and bumping into furniture. On a more serious note, small living space may be dangerous, especially for children and the elderly. There are hazards of fire and electrocution from tripping over trailing cables. There are also health problems that may occur.

There are other less noticeable issues that come with smaller living spaces. The most noticeable one is the loss of aesthetic beauty, which in turn may lead to the dulling of creativity. The lack of space prevents people from decorating their houses, owning gardens, or having many windows. The absence of windows pose a serious problem as sunlight depravity can cause mental and physical illness. This calls for architects and/or interior designers to be more creative and innovative in designing homes.

Research question:

What can we do to maximize small living space?

How can small living space be designed such that it will not affect the convenience and health of residents?

How can we design effective living space in a limited area that is aesthetically appealing?