Design Process - Blog 2 (Empathy)

We should empathise on Singaporeans and PR's who are currently living in Singapore. Most Singaporeans are unhappy and complaining about the the shrinking housing units as compared to during the 1970s. 

Below is a table that shows a decrease in household size over the decades.

Figure 2.0 HDB Flat sizes and Household size over the decades

As you can see from the table during 1970s to latest, the design norms decreases over the decades. The reason for this decrease is due to shrinking of household size and limited land space in Singapore. However, these decrease did not affect the quality of housing units as stated by the Housing Board. The stakeholders can be students, working adult without a housing unit, working adult with a housing unit, a family with children and so on.

If I were to get married and have two children, owning a 4-room flat, I would definitely find the living space just right. Usually for a 4-room flat, there would be a living or dining area, one master bedroom, two other bedrooms, one kitchen and a store-room. The reason why i said so is because each child can take one room where they can have their own space (study and fun). On the other hand, if it is considered small for a family of 4, it will have to depend on the square feet of the house. I personally feel the 4 people living in 4-room flat is more than sufficient as small living space can build family bonds, having less furniture, less maintenance and cleaning and so on. 

In conclusion, it really depends on how an individual see a living space and when really living under one. 

Design Process - Blog 1 (Brainstorming)

Our team's topic is "Living Space is getting smaller and smaller". 

On this topic, we are going to explore every aspects as to why living space in Singapore is getting smaller and smaller as years went by. Also, we are not only focusing on Singapore but also to compare with Asian countries like Hong Kong due to some similarities.

Many factors are contributing to smaller spaces in homes and the storeys of buildings getting higher.

Figure 1.0 Mindmap Title

Figure 1.1 Overview of mindmap draft

My group came out with a list of categories and factors that contributes to small living space. Some of these factors are "Developed and Undeveloped countries", "Population", "High Living Cost", "Environment-friendly" and "Limited Land Space". After coming out with these categories, we listed out more points and reasons under them. Through these reasons, we found out that these factors actually have links with each other. For example, there is increasing high population these years yet limited land space in Singapore, therefore, buildings have to be built higher and smaller living space in the compartment which in turn also lead to high living cost as lands get more expensive.

As we get to do more research, we will only focus on one area and come up with ways to improve that area through surveys, interviews and working on a case study. In addition, we will design furnitures for small living space.

Figure 1.2 List of contributing factors to small living space

Figure 1.2 List of contributing factors to small living space (2)