NEW WAYS OF INHABITING - FROM A USER PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

• Investigating from an empirical sense of environmental design, which covered landscape, furniture design, green features, security, access, maintenance, in other words, the research is to help designers to understand the relevancy (validity) of design from a user point of view. • Investigation by means of Empirical and Evidence-based approach. • Research subject is human-beings. For the purpose of this study, focus is female, assuming they are mothers taking care of children and elderly with assistance. • Based on a questionnaire derived from literature reviews especially healthrelated and architecture theories. 40 questionnaires have been collected over the period of 30 days at different hours and at different days of the week. • The founding are extremely interesting and informative because the subject evaluation and responses from users provide useful database to explain the theories. For instance, spatial visual connection, interaction of physical perceptions, senses and spiritual and spatial designs. • The 40 questionnaires covered 12 specific locations classifies into 2 categories by the author. • By the two categories, the first category “formal space” refers to those spaces that have predominant functions (purposes/activities) such as swimming pool or children playground with specific furniture, or a specific area with equipment for exercises. • Another category as “informal spaces” refers to those areas that have no definite and specific functions such as the ground floor lobby with a big covered open space with chairs and seating, and connection with adjacent spaces like a central plaza. Another example is a space corridor out of a main circulation spine that connects various residential towers. In both examples, the lobby and the verandah turn out to be an active social space, or a place, welcomed by residents, by accident instead of by (design) choice.