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.