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Querencia: A Socially Sustainable Condominium Interior Design for

Senior High School Students of De La Salle University - Manila

Andrea Lorraine F. Calacday1*, Aerin Chloe A. Isip1, and Jois Naczarene G. Isla1
1
De La Salle University Integrated School
*
andrea_calacday@dlsu.edu.ph

Jim Benedict D. Lubrico1

1
De La Salle University – Integrated School

Abstract: It is common for children to leave their homes to study, especially as they advance in
their education. Students whose homes are far from the institution seek suitable accommodations
near the campus where they can temporarily reside. One aspect of selecting a living space is its
ability to sustain a student’s lifestyle by having access to the resources that meet their needs and
wants. Therefore, it is crucial to have a deep understanding of an individual’s preferences. The
research aims to create an interior design of a condominium unit based on the preferences of senior
high school students of De La Salle University - Manila. In addition, the research promotes social
sustainability in interior design to support the needs of the demographic and what they demand in
their spaces at this time and in the years to come. Through surveys and interviews, the artist-
researchers used the data gathered from the respondents to assist the artwork creation. With these
methods, the artists gained an in-depth understanding of their preferences in the interior design of a
condominium unit to back up and enhance the design choices. The artist-researchers created a floor
plan, elevation and perspective drawings, site development plan, and a three-dimensional model of
a condominium unit to represent the design preferences of the students. The research determined
that the students preferred a minimalist condominium unit. In conclusion, the findings of this study
contributed to the interior industry and students, as it looks closely into the genuine needs and
preferences in student accommodations.

Keywords: condominium unit; interior design; preferences; social sustainability

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Research Project
One of the decisions students have to make before
transitioning into university is where to live. Many students
spend the majority of their time in these accommodations,
making the living space a key aspect of their experiences
(Piper). Students who decide to move out of their homes to
look for a new place are most likely limited to staying in high-
rise buildings and small spaces like condominium units.
Therefore, it is crucial to consider how one can maximize the
space that will sustain their lifestyle as a student living in a
new environment.
According to Fischhoff et al., Social sustainability
matters for individuals and society because of its benefits and
ability to drive change. It is the attainment of universal human
rights and necessities by all people who have access to
sufficient resources to maintain their health and security
without jeopardizing the ability of the next generations to
satisfy their own needs. As a matter of course, this includes
keeping the physical surroundings in good condition.
Moreover, designing living spaces for students attending
universities has become challenging due to the influence of
social processes and sociocultural alterations in the needs,
wants, behavior, and habits of the group. The ability to achieve
a sufficient level of comfort for daily activities requires an in-
depth understanding of user preferences. Students today
demand a residence that is not only comfortable to live in but
also offers a variety of amenities and a sense of belonging and
security (HMC Architects).

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This study involves designing a living space,
particularly a condominium unit, that incorporates social
sustainability while considering the preferences of senior high
school students of De La Salle University - Manila (DLSU-
M). Moreover, this research also aims to determine what type
of living space the students consider a suitable living space.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The lack of suitable condominium spaces with
sustainable interior design has been a concern for senior high
school students of DLSU-M. Therefore, the research study
seeks to determine how to incorporate sustainable interior
design in the condominium spaces of DLSU-M senior high
school students.
Hence, this study specifically seeks to answer the following
research questions:
1. In what ways can we incorporate sustainable interior
design into the condominium spaces of De La Salle
University - Manila Senior High School students?
2. What type of condominium unit do senior high
school students of De La Salle University - Manila
consider a suitable living space?
3. What sustainable interior design can be utilized to
create a condominium unit for De La Salle
University - Manila senior high school students that
meet their needs and preferences?
1.3 Scope and Limitations
The study focuses only on the preferences of senior
high school Lasallians in condominium spaces. To answer the
research questions and gather sufficient qualitative data, the
artist-researchers conduct a survey and interview with selected
respondents, which are the senior high school students of
DLSU-M. In addition, the integration of social sustainability
only concerns the interior design of the condominium unit. In
terms of creating the artwork, the study only intends to apply
the design in a condominium unit around Taft Avenue, near
the campus of DLSU-M, particularly the R Square Residences.
There are limitations in the design due to a lack of resources
and time. Therefore, the output does not involve the actual
furnishing of the condominium unit and only includes
drawings like floor plan, elevation, perspective, site
development plan, and a three-dimensional interior design
scale model.
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1.4 Significance of the Research Project
This research study is significant to different fields
and groups.
Filipino Society. To help enhance the existing living
conditions offered to Filipinos, this study will provide
information on this field of research. In addition, the study
will instill the value and importance of interior design as this
could influence the behavior and the well-being of each
Filipino.
Interior Design Industry. The findings of this study will lead
to the benefit of the interior design industry considering that
sustainability plays a huge part in the different living spaces of
students today. In addition, for the future researchers in the
industry, the study will help them uncover the application of
sustainable design in the living spaces of students while
considering their preferences.
Interior Designers. The study will help them create and
renovate living environments that are tailored to the tastes of
the target students and allow them to match supply to demand,
resulting in more sustainable growth.
Senior High School Lasallians. The living space atmosphere
has a significant impact on student’s development, behavior,
and academic achievement. Hence, the outcome of this study
will help accommodate their preferences in interior design of
a condominium unit.
2. THE PROCESS
The general concept of the artwork is a sustainable
interior design of a condominium unit. Since most universities
have opened their doors again for face-to-face classes, many
students who live far away decide to find condominium spaces
or dorms near the campus. With this, the artist-researchers
intend to make an interior design that is sustainable in a way
that caters to the needs and wants of the students that will
occupy the space.
Interior design requires a deep understanding of a
human’s behavior since this art medium directly influences the
aforementioned behavior (League). Hence, the medium used
for this study is interior design given as it requires taking into
account the preferences of students on the interior of a
condominium unit.
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To gather sufficient data, the artist-researchers
surveyed the senior high school students of DLSU-M as a
prerequisite for the interview. The survey respondents were
chosen through purposive sampling, with a total of thirty-three
respondents. The content of the survey form contains
categorized sections: (a) condominium unit, (b) bedroom, (c)
wardrobe, (d) study area, (e) living room, (f) dining area, (g)
kitchen, and (h) bathroom. Although the choices are
predetermined, the participants are still given the option to put
answers that are not in the choices. Furthermore, the artist-
researchers conducted a semi-structured interview to obtain
qualitative data regarding the preferences of the students. The
artist-researchers interviewed four students, one from each
strand in senior high school. A semi-structured interview was
chosen to ask follow-up questions related to the theme and
gain in-depth explanations regarding the reason behind the
students’ responses in the survey to back up the design choices
of the artist-researchers. A total of fifteen predetermined
questions were asked during the interview, and a string of
follow-up questions when needed. The interview conducted
was composed of three parts: (a) the experiences of the
students, (b) the preferences of students, (c) and the survey
assessment.
The artist-researchers used Computer-Aided Design
(CAD) software, specifically Sketch Up Pro, to design the
condominium unit’s interior. The software allows the artist-
researchers to have a more convenient and time-efficient way
of checking errors that may occur or altering certain design
choices that do not satisfy the students’ preferences
immediately before creating the prototype which would save
time, unlike traditional methods (Hobbs).
After drafting the final interior design drawings, the
artist-researchers created the interior scale model to better
visualize the overall design of the condominium unit. The
artist-researchers used a scale of 1:24 for the scale model. To
make the measurements of the scale model accurate, stencils
were cut out according to the scaled measurement of the actual
condominium unit. Additionally, the artist-researchers made
sure to use the standard measurements of each piece of
furniture according to the scale. Furthermore, traditional
materials were used to construct the overall interior scale
model, from the base of the model to its furniture and details.
3. THE ARTWORK/ CREATIVE WORK
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The artist-researchers created the interior design of
the condominium unit with the aid of the following theories:
Functionalism Theory, Privacy Regulation Theory, and
Means-End Chain Theory. The artwork includes floor plans,
elevation drawings, perspective drawings, site development
plan, and a three-dimensional interior design scale model. The
artist-researchers utilized SketchUp Pro to illustrate the final
design. For the scale model, materials such as balsa wood and
premade furniture were used.
Floor Plan
Attached in Figure 1 is the floor plan of the
condominium unit the artist-researchers designed through the
assistance of the survey. The unit is 26.5 square meters (sq.m)
with a room size of 9 meters by 3 meters and a bathroom size
of 2.5 meters by 1.3 meters. There are a total of six areas and
one loft: bathroom, kitchen, dining room, living room, study
area at the bottom of the loft, and the bedroom located at the
top of the loft. The overall theme of the unit is minimalist with
different types of lighting such as ambient, task, accent, and
decorative, depending on the area.
The bathroom area includes a fixed toilet, sink, and
shower. For safety, a glass divider was placed between the
shower and the dry area. An LED mirror was also mounted on
the wall above the sink. The kitchen features fixed cabinets,
shelves, and countertop with sink. Appliances such as
refrigerator, air fryer, electric kettle, microwave oven, and rice
cooker were added. The dining area contains a table for four
people. In the living room, a sofa, coffee table, and portable
speaker were added. The loft consists of a study area on the
ground floor, equipped with a computer table, rolling chair,
table lamp, and floating wall shelves. The loft’s top floor
serves as the bedroom, containing a double bed, bedside table,
and table lamp.
Elevation Drawing
In Figure 2, illustrates the four different views that
show the design of the condominium unit based on the
preferences of the students.
The first elevation drawing shows the design from
another side of the condominium unit. From here, it can be
seen that the artist-researchers included a shoe rack in the
doorway that can also be used as a console table for
accessories. The design also includes a laundry area beside the
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bathroom door. Lastly, the artist-researchers included the 43-
inch television that the students wanted.
The second elevation drawing shows the design of
the unit from one of the sides of the condominium. It shows all
of the areas in the condominium unit such as the bedroom,
study area, kitchen, dining area, bathroom, and living room.
Additionally, the artist-researchers included an accent wall, as
seen at the back of the sofa, to create more depth and to imitate
a separate room in the studio unit.
The third elevation drawing shows a shoe rack upon
entering. It also shows the bathroom, which includes a
frameless square mirror and a glass divider. Moving on to the
fourth elevation drawing, it illustrates the side view of the
living room, wardrobe, study area, and bedroom. The artist-
researchers included the sofa bed the students chose for the
living room. Furthermore, the artist-researchers took into
consideration the type of wardrobe that the students preferred,
which was a wardrobe with sliding doors. In the study area, the
artist-researchers included the rolling chair, computer table,
floating shelves, and the table lamp that the students wanted.
Lastly, for the bedroom, the artist-researchers included a
double bed, open and closed side tables, and a table lamp based
on the students' preferences.
Perspective Drawing
The images in Figure 3 are the perspective drawings
for the condominium unit. These drawings display minimalist
fixtures and accents that enhance the room’s functionality and
appeal. A greater grasp of how the various spaces within the
condominium unit relate to one another and how the overall
design meets the needs and preferences of the target audience
is provided by the perspective drawings. It offers a visual
representation that aids in communicating the layout,
ambiance, and desired mood of the place.
Site Development Plan
The photo in Figure 4 is a site development drawing
of the condominium unit the artist-researchers intend to
design, located at R Square Residences, which is a 52-story
building with a site area of 2,882.10 square meters (sq.m) in
Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila. To be specific, the unit is on the
29th floor of the building with a view of the Manila skyline
and is near the DLSU-M campus with nearby landmarks.
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Interior Scale Model
The image in Figure 5 shows the three-dimensional
interior scale model of the condominium unit. A scale of 1:24
was used. One side of the scale model has an acrylic wall to
showcase furniture placement inside the unit. Moreover,
traditional materials including sintra board and balsa wood
were used for the base and furnishings of the scale model. In
addition, pre-made miniature scale model furniture, along with
acrylic paint, textured cloths, and colored paper, were used to
create an accurate vision of the final design.
4. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The completion of this research would not be
possible without the guidance and encouragement of our
practical research adviser and mentor, Mr. Jim Benedict
Lubrico. We would like to acknowledge his dedication and
effort in helping us accomplish our research paper and
artwork.
The artist-researchers would also like to express
their warmest gratitude towards De La Salle University -
Manila and the Arts and Design Track Department for
allowing the artist-researchers to flourish their passion and
love for the arts.
To our research participants, thank you for your
patience and support in our research. The artist-researchers
extend their gratitude to their parents and friends for their
unending support in writing this study.
5. WORKS CITED
Fischhoff, Maya, et al. “What is social sustainability?”
Network for Business Sustainability, 13 December 2021,
https://nbs.net/what-is-social-sustainability/.
HMC Architects. “How Architects Are Improving Student
Housing Design Standards | Thought Leadership.” HMC
Architects, 5 February 2020,
https://hmcarchitects.com/news/how-architects-are-
improving-student-housing-design-standards-2019-02-
05/
Hobbs, Jordan. "The Advantages of CAD (Computer-Aided
Design) & 3D Design Software." cadcrowd, 2 Feb.
2022, www.cadcrowd.com/blog/the-advantages-of-cad.
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Hwang, Kun. “Form Follows Function, Function Follows

Form.” Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, vol. 31, no. 2,
2020, p. 335.
https://doi.org/10.1097/SCS.0000000000005891

Kuys, Jo, et al. “A Case Study of University–Industry

Collaboration for Sustainable Furniture Design.”
Sustainability, vol. 13, no. 19, Sept. 2021, p. 10915.
Crossref, https://doi.org/10.3390/su131910915.

League, Lisa. “Human Behavior and the Designed

Environment.” qpractice, 25 May 2021,
www.qpractice.com/human-behavior-designed-
environment.

Lundgren, Berndt. “Improving the Conceptual Design in

Residential Development Using the Means-End Chain
Approach.” IDEAS Working Paper Series from RePEc,
2009.

Malinda, Sally, et al. “Analysis on Small Spaces With Special

Behavior: Study Case Student Housing At Kost Pvktf in
Gading Serpong, Tangerang.” Jurnal Muara Ilmu
Sosial, Humaniora, Dan Seni, vol. 4, no. 1, Universitas
Tarumanagara, Apr. 2020, p. 75.
https://doi.org/10.24912/jmishumsen.v4i1.7993.2020.

Piper, R. “Student living: collaborating to support mental

health in university accommodation.” London: Student
Minds, 2017

Vallejo, López and Antonio Taneli. “A DESIGN CONCEPT

PROPOSAL ABOUT COMPACT LIVING UNITS:
USE CASE FOR STUDENT HOUSING.” (2016).

Weber, Clara, et al. “Privacy Regulation Theory.” A Handbook

of Theories on Designing Alignment Between People
and the Office Environment, Routledge, June 2021, pp.
68–81. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003128830-6.

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6. APPENDIX/ LIST OF IMAGES Fig. 3. Perspective Drawings

Fig. 1. Floor Plan

Study Area View

Loft View

Fig. 2. Elevation Drawings

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Fig. 4. Site Development Plan

Fig. 5. Interior Scale Model

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