BUILT-INTERIOR An exploration of housing qualities of a Living Box

Abstract

The main purpose of the master thesis is showing how integrated interior elements and objects can be designed to create good housing qualities in small living spaces, without interfering with architectural qualities or accessibility. Integrated interior elements and objects being built-in interior or furniture such as wardrobes, shelves, cabinets, foldable beds, work desk and similar. The three thesis questions investigate how unconventional design solutions can contribute to spatial configuration, adaptability and sustainability in small apartments. Consequently, the design proposals can generate the ability for apartment layouts and interiors to withstand over time and decrease the need for unnecessary transformations, hence supporting sustainability. The methodological approach consists of a mix of methods based in a theoretical framework and explorative design, which is continuously evaluated by a housing quality assessment tool. Historical aspects and contemporary research about architectural qualities, interior design and smallsca le living creates the theoretical background. This combined with a thorough investigation and evaluation of innovative reference projects, results in a scope of different theoretical design solutions and developed floor plans. To emphasise and underline a wide applicability and possible implementation of the design proposals, solutions for interior transformations of both apartments from the million homes programme and the past decade were tested. Subsequently, the final design proposal of an interior module, a ”Living Box”, implemented in different apartment types is presented. To verify the quality of the design proposals, a new tool for evaluating housing qualities in apartments, gives an indication of the design proposal’s fulfilment and attainment towards housing qualities. The final design proposal of the interior module, “the Living Box”, is mainly made of wood. It is equipped with the essential functions such as kitchen, bathroom, and storage, that easily can be adapted to users’ need and preferences by exchangeable finishing layer and integrated objects. This interior module works as a spatial configuration unit that facilitates flexibility, adaptability, aesthetics, and sustainability - contributing to good housing qualities.