HOUSING FOREIGN WORKERS : THE FUTURE OF TEMPORARY DORMITORIES

Abstract

My thesis focus is to investigate and address the current situation in the inadequacy of housing foreign workers in dormitories. This paper aims to investigate the lack of addressing the social needs of these foreign workers in the design intent of the accommodation. The thesis research will first discuss the current factors in the design rationale behind accommodation issues and comment upon them. The methodology conducted includes interviews with the foreign workers, the director of the dormitories-provider, a volunteer helping the homeless Bangladeshi workers as well as a lecturer from the Geography department of NUS. Based on various field studies conducted at Little India and areas near dormitories, findings are used to generate an overall understanding of the living culture and social needs of these workers. Site visits to permanent dormitories and shophouses accommodation will allow for a comparison between what is needed and what is actually provided for. The strategies taken in relation to strike a balance between these two extremes will be investigated and discussed further in an architectural manner.