Are You Comfortable?

Abstract

A way of determining best practices for designing small-scale dwellings based on reinterpreted and reimagined functional design techniques can be accomplished through efficient and necessary use of space. This use of space is determined through in-depth studies of the human body through anthropometrics and the physical practice of yoga, as well as self-studies of the body.

Utilizing efficient architectural design methods based on the histories of Japan, Scandinavia, and North America has led this thesis to designing for necessity, functionality, and efficiency. Country-specific values and philosophies influence architectural design and the use of home spaces for living.

Addressing external influences in Japan, Scandinavia, and North America identify the impact of cultural lifestyles on architectural design. Why do country-specific values and cultural values influence the design of the home and how can residential design be improved to better suit the needs of user’s functionality, necessity, and efficiency in the home?

By rethinking and re-evaluating personal values and philosophies that relate to material consumption and possession, new understandings of functionality, necessity, and efficiency will concede the design principles found.

To sustain claims and foundations of research, country-specific studies of Japan, Scandinavia, and the United States are thoroughly assessed and evaluated. Examining ergonomics and anthropometrics support investigations on country averages.

Design varies around the world due to external circumstances. By focusing specifically on the home, observations on how people use this space based on their country’s external circumstances and their personal values and philosophies can merge existing ideas of function, necessity, and efficiency for new methods of design.