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FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR SMALL SPACES IN SPATIAL DESIGN TEACHING

Conference Paper · May 2008

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Didem Bedük Tuncel Hande zeynep Kayan

Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University
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 FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR SMALL SPACES IN
SPATIAL DESIGN TEACHING

ABSTRACT

Humans have created housing and humans mostly stand in the middle
of uncertain situations in their lives where they must decide or react in
a certain way. When we handle this stuation from the point of interior
architect and designer, we can not say that is possible to have a
complete knowledge concerning how our decisions effect the space
during the housing design. This uncertainty brings out the flexibility
concept related to the thought that there can only be choices, but not a
fixed solution for future uses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The flexibility in space concept showed differences along the history.

Users have formed their housings depending on the period and the
progressions of the political, economical, social properties and the
tecnology of that period. Specifically if we think that most of the
housing users consist of families, it is realized how the flexibility
concept for the housing design needs to be able to adopt to growing
and changing activities during all life period.

Today interior and fittings that can respond to a unique function are
changing into multi-functional elements. Users wants flexibility in his
house. It is considered the indoors that can support dimensional
changes, user changes, technology changes by means of using flexible
structure and flexible space will increase in the near future. So it is
necessary that the designer candidates should gain the consciousness
of performing flexible designs in their training.

In the spacial design lesson of the interior architecture training in

MSGSU, the projects taken place are based on the establishment of
dynamic solutions that can answer the changes of the measures in the
fields like social, aesthetic, economic housing designs in consequence
of social changes. The approaches used for the flexibility in the
interior design are categorized under the main topics in planing,
structural system, installation distribution, dividing inner walls and
fitting elements’ flexibility. The students relating with the flexibility
concept supported by this theoretical data commenced with their first
sketch studies depending on the current structural system and user
features in the housing plan given equivalent to that of 50 m². It is
required to be met with maximum requirements in minimum spaces
for the housing to be designed for the family consisting of adult
individuals mother and father and two children. The answer is
discussed for the question of “how can I change the use of housing
into a more functional attitude” especially in the small houses.

As can be seen in the student projects presented in the study, the

flexibility in the housing inner space can be achieved also by the
freedom of spaces as may be performed by the multifunctionality of
the fittings. The aim for both approaches is to establish empty spaces
which users can form for their requirements rather than trying to
handle the housing as an organization prepared previously.

CONCLUSION

In the study of which direction does the flexibility effect designs and
what solutions are made in the design of residential interiors and
fittings, it is seen that flexible interior design adopting to the needs of
the user is more sustainable both economically and environmentally.

It is possible that individual or group studies can be performed for the

studies under the topics of flexibility approaches. The approach to
make one space capable of many functions is especially seen in the
projects for flexible housing designs. The students in particular, can
point out the elements used by means of the perspectives that are to be
made in the flexible fittings design and can show how they work.
What kind of process that is used for a fitting in a space allocated for
it when it is not used is pointed out by drawings and a supporting
presentation. Here, the type of expression and the project presentation
of the student is developed that the student uses to express the
flexibility concept.

KEYWORDS: Flexıbılıty, Small Spaces, Interıor Desıgn Educatıon,

Transformabılıty, Resıdence Fıttıngs
 FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR SMALL SPACES IN
SPATIAL DESIGN TEACHING

One of the objectives to be attained in Interior Architecture education

is to enable function and technique to be in harmony with each other
within themselves and with form. This harmony expected to be
achieved grows more significant day by day. Accordingly, the concept
of “flexibility” comes to the fore in particular in today’s designs.
Flexibility goes hand in hand with the concepts of changeability,
adaptability and growth.

The fact that people with different behavioral characteristics, cultural

accumulation, belonging to different social environments and
economic powers and living in a house produced based on the same
plan schema have to meet their needs in the same space rises as a
factor putting pressure on relations between user and space.
Flexibility, having emerged as a concept that can lead us to the
solution under these circumstances, can be defined as the adaptability
of the house plan in a way to respond to changing and evolving
conditions of the user without changing the existing system.

In Interior Architecture education of the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts

University (MSGSU), in Space Design Course, projects are developed
related to changes of principles brought in social, aesthetic and
economic etc. fields in housing designs as a result of social changes.
These projects aim to produce dynamic solutions to the mentioned
changes. In addition, the concept of flexibility explained within the
mass housing course was presented considering that social houses
designed for the low income people were small. Furthermore,
information was provided on the problem of not having an identity in
social housings. It is known from experiences based on the failure of
idealistic buildings constructed in the past that limited housings in
which people can not express their identities exert negative effects on
these people. Emphasis was given on the importance of creating
spaces where users can express their identities and which they can use
on a multi-functional basis. It is significant to lay the theoretical
foundation first in projects to be realized personally or in groups.
1. Theoretical Background

Before presenting the plan of the project to be worked on, the

definition and history of flexibility and reasons of requirement for it
are explained to students on a theoretical basis and through visual
aids. It is especially emphasized in the course that a person defined as
“user” in the interior architecture education wants continuously to
arrange and change himself/herself and his/her environment. These
changes are presented under the title of user needs. In the theory part
conveyed through a system composed of generally a main title and its
sub titles, the said needs can be explained via a simple diagram.

Human Factor
Psycho-social needs
. Social needs
.Aesthetic needs
. Behavioral needs
. Privacy needs
Physical needs
. Security needs
. Health needs
. Spatial needs
. Needs related to physical environment
Economic needs
Environmental factor
Technological factor

Interior spaces’ need to be flexible should be considered in particular

in the design of mass housings; because they are produced for
“unknown users” and all the same they will be “private”. Periods such
as marriage, child raising, children’s leaving family and old age in
family cycle and changes in social life have had certain effects on
family life in the course of time. For example factors such as
transition from extended family to nuclear family, women’s entrance
into business life and the growing need for privacy as a result of
increasing individualism have led to rise in demand for more rooms.
When there are not flexible space solutions, these demands can be
satisfied at the end of either very costly or very problematic
operations.
As regards the creation of flexibility within a space, we can say that
there are many researches in this field. In its simplest form,
changeability in terms of structure is realized via dividers that can be
folded or pushed and this is called static flexibility. On the other hand,
spaces in continuous flexibility are divided into zones and separated
into two one being “server” and the other “served”. Flexibility is
provided through portable walls. It is important to achieve
dimensional coordination and take decisions related to grids. For, this
operation enables different elements to arrange relations with each
other and the whole and prevents disorder. On the other hand,
regarding another type called growth flexibility, emphasis is given on
the capacity of adding up new spaces for different functions.
Completely independent spaces in which wet volume areas are free as
well can be created. There are examples in which column system
covers installation space as well. In this way, since installation system
is everywhere, user can change it whenever he/she wants. Portable
showers, consistent with it, have also been designed. Another
approach employed in order to create flexibility in interior space
design is flexibility of accessories.

In Traditional Turkish House accepted as an appropriate example to

all changes and needs explained, the striking points are the design of
rooms within the house in according to multi-purpose use, low
number of accessory elements utilized in the middle and simplicity of
interior spaces. In Turkish examples in the historical evolution of the
concept of flexibility, interior space designs of traditional Turkish
House which emerges as a dominant character are presented to
students via visual aid. In Turkish House which has similarities with a
tent plan, every room can be used for eating, sleeping, bathing and
even cooking. Cushions placed on sofas are generally taken away in
the daytime and spread out in the evening; so they meet the needs for
sitting and sleeping. In this space settlement which embraces
flexibility of accessory elements, as there is potentially high number
of users and accordingly demands, the center of the space is
neutralized and flexibility is created. This is displayed as an example
to implementation.

Regarding contemporary examples, implemented projects of well

known designers are explained. It is a fact in particular in
contemporary examples displayed that changeable design renders its
user more powerful. As individualism has grown stronger in modern
life, customization has gained more importance. Completely open
planning is observed in the flat designed by Tokujin Yoshioka. While
furniture and accessories can not be seen, functional areas gathered on
a single wall can be opened by sliding doors and used.

Offers provided by the Andrew Maynard design office are very

different from one another. Holl House, which can be an example of
growth flexibility, is also called “the house of plural dimensions” and
units can be opened one by one considering the house as boxes one
above the other. As a result, it can be shaped according to the identity
and needs of the user, whether it be terraced, balconied, windowed or
not, two storey or three storey. In the analysis of examples to interior
space, in “Maisano Brasher” project, it is observed that every element
apart from toilet and shower and including bathtub and bed is mobile.
The project based on transformative design is “Fluid Habitation” and
“mobile space within the space” is created within the framework of
this project. Mobile bedroom is a piece of space covering study area at
the same time. Its place can be changed within the space and can
transform from the form transparent into that of opaque via smart
glasses. Mobile kitchen and office designed in the same way are
present in the space. It is obvious that living in such areas which give
more initiatives to the user is much more pleasant and open to
creativeness.

Figure 1: Fluid Habitation, Andrew Maynard

Examples provided in the light of this information are used as an

effective method in order to enable students to concretize various
abstract ideas related to the concept of flexibility.
2. The Project Phase:

Once the theoretical structure, which is thought to be sufficient for the

beginning is completed, the students are asked to start their
preliminary schedule works by respecting the current conveyer system
and user features in the housing plan of 50 m2 allocated to them. The
plan is simply defined as a plan having an aperture of 4x4 meters and
50x50 cm column axes and the general utilization area can be
expanded to maximum 55 m2.

The main idea of this project was inspired from a social housing
project designed by Daliah Eliakim and used in the course. This
project falling into the scope of houses for public concept is indeed a
prefabricated system which can be realized in a short period of time
with low lost and which is composed of standard pieces and can be
enlarged when required.

Figure 2: Daliah Eliakim’s project

How these columns, as a restricting factor, will affect the space

settlement is an important issue to be touched upon. This is the
question that we want the student to decide on is whether he/she
prefers the columns being perceived as a part of the space or
remaining as stand-alone special elements. This decision determines
the approaches that the students will adopt in flexible space design.
For example, it is in this stage that the decision on whether to use
accessory elements in connection with the structure elements or
independently can be given.
A nuclear family of parents and two children is selected as the user.
The features and needs of these 4 users are listed in a table and it is
requested that the housing in question meet the maximum of demands
in minimum of spaces. Here the goal in selecting 4 year old and 15
year old children as users is to be able to answer the question of how
different demands of different age groups can be solved in the same
place. Therefore, the obligation of the utilization of the same room by
two children is especially mentioned. There being no restriction in the
job selection of parents, among other things, the students are asked to
create hobby areas for parents and design the spaces in a way to meet
different needs both in day and night time. When we take a look at the
table used for this application method, we see that several socio-
cultural and economic factors from social features to the establishment
of family and income level lead to the diversification of demands and
requirements.

In today’s space and accessory elements’ design, technological

developments are increasingly used. Because when technology is used
correctly and considering the needs and integrated with designs
properly, it shows up as a new source of opportunities. Students can
offer more flexible solutions by following up newly developing
systems.

In the preliminary schedule of the project work, the focus is on the

utilization type of the housing. The things that are requested from
students is the design of the entree of the housing, storing place within
parents’ room, space allocated to the elder child’s studying and
bookcase, space allocated to the younger child’s playing and storing
toys and space allocated to washing machine in the bathroom, space
allocated to dining and living, storing element/space for cleaning
materials.

Taking into account choices given under the title of approaches to

flexibility, works are carried out to divide the house into sections
within the m² defined. It is seen that the flexibility level of each
approach chosen is different. In divisions, utmost attention is paid not
to create a logical imbalance between living room that is a general
utilization area and rooms and areas covered by wet volume and
connections they have with each other. Sections should be separated
according to the level of privacy. Privacy should be at maximum level
in wet volume areas and in remaining areas, considering the
changeability of privacy level according to usage time, open planning
should be applied. There should be maximum of open space between
areas connected to each other in utilization, on the other hand dividers
or transformative elements should be used in multi functional areas.

It is aimed to gather installation channels used in particular in wet

volumes such as kitchen and bathroom in a minimum of area. In
addition, within the general logic, living room is the division open to
outer world of the house and the fact of guests is inevitable. In plan
settlement and design of accessories, the rise in the number of users
should be taken into account.

After plans’ preliminary sketches prepared, studies related to plan-

cross section-aspect and perspective are conducted at the same time
and emphasis is given on perceiving the space in 3 dimensions. In this
way, aspects that have not been considered appear in the space
perceived in 3 dimensions. Finishing 2 dimensional form of the plan,
student begins to ask him/herself how he/she can use ground plane
and connected walls and dividing elements or how she/he can connect
them with each other. Furthermore, he/she understands to what extent
the changeability of dividing elements placed in the interior space and
their use in constituting different organizations depend on the existing
system’s level of openness to changes. Student is provided with
information related to the fact that when he/she decides on the quality
of materials to be used in the design of dividing elements, construction
techniques, their relations with structural elements and connection
elements he/she should ensure that all these things be light and easily
removable.

The significance of considering all aspects/sides and involving them

all in use particularly in a space design in which the flexibility concept
stands out is emphasized. When there are 4 users, the necessity,
number and positioning of storing elements in a space can be only
possible through the above mentioned joint use of ground and wall. In
such cases, students can express elements used via perspectives to be
prepared for the design of flexible accessory elements and display
their working systems. What kind of practices are applied to an
accessory elements stored in an area spared for it when it is out of use
can be solely explained via drawings and a supporting presentation. In
this point, presentation and way of expression a student uses in order
to explain the concept of flexibility in his/her project are highly
significant.
CONCLUSION

“The possibility of a "mobile way of life" is certainly an attractive

feature of a modern welfare society. Nevertheless it seems as if
architecture and urbanism as a discipline has hardly found its role in
this development yet. The modern home does not reflect our modern
life style in many ways. Our life consists of dynamic systems of
media, information, technology and transport. These elements
continually shape our epoch and define it as an era of loose
foundations and shifting meaning. Our homes do not reflect
this. They contain a variety of products that enhance our lifestyle
through their flexibility, fluidity and malleability. Yet our direct
living environment remains a static one. Mobility not only empowers
the family and the individual by allowing them to determine their
living spaces, more so, it allows them to explore new spatial and
personal relationships as they transform over time.” (Maynard, A.)

The purpose of using the concept of flexibility is to constitute spaces

that the related user can shape in accordance with his/her wills rather
than treating the house as an organization previously prepared. In
flexible housing designs, the approach to produce in particular a single
space in a size that can respond to multiple functions is applied
frequently in projects.

Figure 3: Ayda Gelgör, student project

At the end of this project in space design course, it was aimed to raise
student’s awareness in this issue. When the space is designed from
inner towards outer, user centered design comes out. Difficulties that
students experience in the studies were recorded to be in perceiving
the related space solely on the basis of the plan not in three
dimensions. They were observed to abstain from open planning and
influenced to a great extent by standard housing typology. One of the
reasons for this is their taking their own living areas as examples.
However, even though we have very standard spaces on these days on
which we choose our houses to live in by analyzing 3 dimensional
drawings, assuming that future is being experienced at the present
time, it is highly clear that the demand for flexible housing designs
will be in rise in a very short period. The number of interior spaces
that will be able to meet changes in dimension, user and technology
through use of flexible structure and flexible space will certainly
increase. In order to achieve this, studies/work aimed at this purpose
should be given more emphasis.

Figure 4: İbrahim Derinkuyu, student project

Figure 5: Sinan Birinci, student project

 REFERENCES

Altınok, H.Z. , 2007. The Influence Of The Concept Of Flexibility

Arising From Uncertainty On Residential Interiors And Fittings,
M.Sc. Thesis, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Institute Of Science
And Technology, Istanbul

Bedük, D. , 2003. Information/Communication Age and Interior

Design, PhD Thesis, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Institute Of
Science And Technology, Istanbul

Benitez, C.P. , 2005. Small Spaces: Good Ideas, An Imprint of Harper

Collins Publishers, New York

Kürşat, Ş. F. , 2006., Interior Design Methods in Small Residences

and Application Examples, M.Sc. Thesis, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts
University Institute Of Science And Technology, Istanbul

Mack, L. , 1995. Living In Small Spaces, Conran Octopus, London

Trulove, J.G. & Kim, I. , 2003. Big Ideas For Small Spaces Studio
Apartments, William Morrow and Co., New York

http://www.andrewmaynard.com.au
http://www.designmuseum.org
http://www.flexiblespace.com/xray.html
http://www.muji.net
http://www.smugmug.com
http://www.taylorsmyth.com
http://www.yenimimar.com

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