MAXIMIZING TINY SPACES – A STUDY OF THE INTERIOR DESIGN OF

STUDENT HOSTELS ON OBAFEMI AWAOLOWO UNIVERSITY CAMPUS.

POPOOLA JOSHUA OLADAYO

ARC/2016/032

A PROJECT DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF

ARCHITECTURE, FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN AND
MANAGEMENT, OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, ILE- IFE, OSUN
STATE, NIGERIA

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE

AWARD OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE(B.SC) IN
ARCHITECTURE

MARCH, 2023
ABSRACT

As an architecture student of Obafemi Awolowo University, one of the most pressing concerns

that I have observed is the issue of overcrowding in student hostels due to gross inadequacy of

accommodation provisions available to the ever-growing student population. The issue of

crowding (an average of 6 students; legal occupants and squatters, live in a 12square-metre

space) has become a common problem across all hostels available to students on campus, and it

often leads to functionality and behavioral issues that affect students' comfort and academic

performance. This study seeks to examine the interior design of student hostels on the OAU

campus, with a view to identifying the issues associated with cohabitation in tiny spaces, as well

as proffering solutions that can help to improve the functionality of these spaces and enhance the

well-being of students. The need to adopt design techniques that aim to maximize the tiny spaces

available becomes imperative in student hostel design, especially in a densely populated

universities like Obafemi Awolowo University. This research examines the functional

organization within the space and the resulting human experiences of students living in student

hostels on OAU campus and how their behaviors are influenced by these experiences with the

aim to improve the living conditions of students by identifying the issues associated with

cohabitation in tiny spaces and providing solutions that will help create more livable, efficient,

and comfortable student hostels. The study employs a mixed-method approach, including

observation, interviews, and surveys/questionnaires, to identify these problems and proffer

solutions. By identifying the root causes of these problems and proposing design solutions that

can enhance the well-being of students, this study can contribute to the body of knowledge on

the design of student hostels, and provide valuable insights that can inform future designs.
BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION

Living in a school hostel is an integral part of the university experience for many students.

However, the accommodation provided is often limited, and students are expected to cohabit in

tiny spaces. This reality presents several challenges, including a lack of privacy, limited storage

space, and difficulty in creating a comfortable living environment. The resulting human

experiences are often negative and can significantly impact the behavior of students. Cohabiting

in small spaces can be stressful, and it is common to see students struggling to cope with this

living arrangement. It has become a common phenomenon in student hostels, especially in

universities with high population densities. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Nigeria, is

one such university where the population of students has increased significantly in recent years.

Despite the construction of new hostel buildings, the demand for accommodation on campus far

outweighs the available supply, leading to overcrowding which creates functional and

psychological problems for the students therefore the need to maximize tiny spaces.

The interior design of student hostels plays a vital role in creating an environment that is

conducive to studying and living. As such, it is essential to examine the design of student hostels,

particularly in terms of maximizing tiny spaces. This study will explore how interior design can

be used to optimize the use of limited space in student hostels, improving the overall living

conditions and experiences of students.

Functional organization within a tiny space is essential to maximize its use and ensure that each

occupant has their own private space within the larger communal living space. However, the

design of such spaces must also take into consideration the resulting human experiences, as

cohabitation in tiny spaces can lead to stress, anxiety, and even aggression. Edward T Hall's
concept of Proxemics can be used to understand the relationship between space and human

behavior in these tiny spaces. According to Hall, we all have a spatial dimension, that determines

our relationship with each other and our surroundings, and the way individuals use and perceive

space is influenced by cultural and environmental factors, and proximity plays a significant role

in communication, personal space, and social interaction. When these dimensions are disrupted

either by other people or poor designs it can have serious psychological impacts. Hall's theory is

supported by the crowding experiment, which demonstrates that overcrowding and lack of

personal space can lead to negative emotions and behavior. The experiment involved confining

participants in a small space and measuring their behavior and physiological responses. The

results showed that participants experienced discomfort, anxiety, and aggression when they were

in close proximity to others and had limited personal space.

The aim of this research is to identify the issues associated with cohabitation in tiny spaces, such

as lack of personal space, privacy, and storage, and proffer solutions to them. The research

objectives are:

1. To examine the functional organization of tiny spaces in student hostels on OAU campus.

2. To assess the psychological impact of cohabitation in tiny spaces on students' behavior.

3. To identify the problems associated with cohabitation in tiny spaces and proffer solutions

to them.

4. To provide recommendations for the design of future student hostels on OAU campus

and other universities with similar challenges.

In conclusion, cohabitation in tiny spaces is a prevalent issue in student hostel design, especially

in densely populated universities like OAU. This research aims to identify the problems
associated with cohabitation in tiny spaces and proffer solutions to them, emphasizing the need

to understand and conduct research on this topic. The research will contribute to the design of

more functional and psychologically appropriate student hostels, ensuring that students' physical

and psychological