Human Behavior in Relation to Space - by Jonnathan Calle - UVA School of Architecture by JonnathanCalle

SPACE EVOLUTION OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR BY JONNATHAN CALLE

THESIS

The analysis of this thesis is to acknowledge the human behavior and how space affects the way humans live and interact. In this paper we will better understand the definition of space and how it is defined throughout history. Is the space important for humans? Is it important for their interaction and instincts? How important is the human interaction in relation to space? Small space could give some people a feeling of security and warmth, while for others in could be a barrier to their health and cause anxiety and other natural reactions to the area being too small. How can we improve the effect of the interactions amongst humans in relation to their health, color, light, cultural influence, objects in space, sound and in economical situations? This paper will identify each factor as playing a part into the interactions amongst humans and their behavior in relation to the space they are occupying.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Thesis History of Space • Definition of Space • Settled communities • The Relationship between the Human Body and Architecture • The Development of a great Industrial City Human Behavior Definition • Human Behavior in Response to Movement • Social interaction in public areas • The relationship between the physical environment and human behavior- Neuropsychology Cognition, Emotion • Free Space Performance of Light Natural Light • Relation with human activity • Health and Performance Artificial Light • Color and light design • Human health and ecological impacts of light pollution • Dark designs Surrounding Sounds • Relationship with human activities • Relation with space Flexible Architecture • Modular Design and Prefabrications • Change of Space during different periods of time • Movable Partitions and Modular Design and Prefabrication to a Large Scale Conclusion / Proposals • Space Architecture

HISTORY OF SPACE

Space Definitions Human understanding in relation to space has a various number of factors. We could understand the meaning of space as the form of coordination of coexisting objects and states of matters. It consists of the objects that are extraposed to one another and have certain quantitative relationships. The order of coexisting of these objects and their states forms the structure of space (Space and Time). Isaac Newton’s point of view of space is distinct from body and that time passes uniformly without regard to whether anything happens in the world. This is the reason why Newton spoke of absolute space and time. Relative spaces are measures of absolute space defined with reference to some system of bodies or another, therefore a relative space may, and likely will, be in motion (Rynasiewicz, 2014). Human understanding of the world and concepts such as space are not just related to a mathematical perspective but was inspired in a philosophical perspective such as Kant who developed difficult philosophical views. His idea for the concept of space is “Space is not something objective and real, nor a substance, nor an accident, nor a relation; instead, it is subjective and ideal, and originates from the mind’s nature in accord with a stable law as a scheme, as it were, for coordinating everything sensed externally” (Janiak, 2020).

As a student of Architecture space is not just defined as the space consisted of what is internally in a building, but it is an important design tool. As architects we develop and improve multiple spaces to create experiences. Humans spend 80 percent of the time indoors either at their homes, jobs, schools, etc. “Space Architecture is the theory and practice of designing and building inhabited environments in outer space, responding to the deep human drive to explore and occupy new places. Architecture organizes and integrates the creation and enrichment of the built environment. Designing for space requires specialized knowledge of orbital mechanics, propulsion, weightlessness, hard vacuum, psychology of hermetic environments, and other topics. Space Architecture has complementary relationships with diverse fields such as aerospace engineering, terrestrial architecture, transportation design, medicine, human factors, space science, law, and art” (P_4 Daule). The understanding of architecture as a space, the perception of physical space and the relationship between the envelope and the contained space, lead to the analysis of the section of the project, understood as the architectural tool that determines the spatial form. The resulting space and its occupation by light, by time or by sound, fundamental design elements in the practice of the project, also takes on a new value in public buildings by involving uses and functions and ultimately by involving people who pass not only through the horizontal plan but also through their vertical dimension (Garcia & Falla, 2019).

HISTORY OF SPACE

Settled Communities After understanding the concepts of space, it is time to have a better understanding in exploring the idea of where the concept of space in relation to humans began. To understand this concept, we need to recall the Neolithic era. When people think of the Neolithic era, they often think of Stonehenge, the iconic image of this early era. Dating to approximately 3000 B.C.E. and set on Salisbury Plain in England, a structure larger and more complex than anything built before it in Europe. Stonehenge is an example of the cultural advances brought about by the Neolithic revolution—the most important development in human history. The way we live today, settled in homes, within close proximity to other people in towns and cities, protected by laws, eating food grown on farms, and with leisure time to learn, explore and invent is all a result of the Neolithic revolution, occurring, approximately 11,500-5,000 years ago. The revolution which led to our way of life was the development of the technology needed to plant and harvest crops and to domesticate animals. Before the Neolithic revolution, it is likely you would have lived with your extended family as a nomad, never staying anywhere for more than a few months, always living in temporary shelters, always searching for food and never owning anything you could not easily pack in a pocket or a sack. The change to the Neolithic way of life was huge and led to many of the pleasures (lots of food, friends and a comfortable home) that we still enjoy today (German, 2021). This was the beginning of the interaction between humans and space. We started giving space a purpose. For example, the agriculture; finding different pieces of land with rich soil that could influence the growth of vegetables and domestication of animals, the beginning to farm life. Homes back in history could be considered a shelter that could protect us from the environment. Where there is a place to develop multiple activities in only one large space.

Settled Communities This large place identified as the sense of security is what we call today a “home”. The word “home” as evolved over time. This happened because the human mind evolved creating new understandings for the space and dividing this space to give them different purposes.

HISTORY OF SPACE

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The Relationship between the Human body and Architecture

HISTORY OF SPACE

Relationship between architecture and body from classical architecture to post-modern architecture. “The attention of the post-modern architecture to the body is a rerecognition of Vitruvian’s body concept, a denial of the re-negation of the humanist body in the classical period, and a reflection on power and institutions. The theory of body has had an important influence on the architectural form at the beginning of the development of architecture, and then expanded the understanding of architecture at different stages. After the rapid construction of the city, the relationship between buildings cities and people is alienated and indifferent. The torch of humanism spirit is gradually rekindled. Returning to body is the trend of architectural development. According to our research before, we can know that the two organic systems, body and nature, are hostile to modernism, and the relationship between body and architecture is ignored by functional architects. In the 20th century, phenomenology paid attention to the physical experience in life, which lead the architecture in the 21st century began to pay attention to the sensory experience of the body in space. It started emphasizing the connection between the experience and the real world. In today’s architecture, the environment is already an unavoidable issue. The relationship between body and architecture will also face new development potentials and opportunities. Reconsidering architecture from the perspective of body perception and paying attention to the interaction between psychology and environment maybe can provide more theoretical and practical guidance (Archdaily).

Le Corbusier’s modular

HISTORY OF SPACE

The Modulor arises from Le Corbusier’s obsession with establishing harmony between spaces and the human body and symbolizes a step towards binding the body and the architectural world, a feat that has sparked architects to come forward in support or dissent of Le Corbusier’s theories (Archdaily).

The Modulor marks an important advancement in the history of architecture because it makes us take notice of the bodily disconnect caused by industry and its constant attempts at standardization, efforts that speak to our desire to find common ground and to bring everyone to it (Archdaily).

HISTORY OF SPACE

The Development of a great Industrial City Due to the overpopulation of city, there has been a significant lack of space not just for housing but for many other factors. According to Professor Patrick, key factors to developing an industrial city include the first is freeing an enormous quantity of land that was before covered with dwellings either in the center or in the immediate circumstance of our towns. It is important that we consider what needs to be done with these spaces. The increase of traffic has the advantage of increasing the power of mobility but on the other hand this power creates immobility. Several towns that have cleared some spaces have been used for parking, which is an absolute widespread necessity for most cities. Also, due to the overpopulation of cities, another system of need for mobility should be bus stations. Professor Patrick says, “It is only just now being realized that a bus station is as important as a railway station” (Abercrombie, 1937). He also speculates that the industrial or warehouse areas tend to be near the centers. He refers to this idea to be “an enormous scope for the architect’s skill in replanning on a bold scale”. The redevelopment for housing has its counterpart to the industrial development. (Abercrombie, 1937) Overpopulation of the city in architecture means we have the need to create the high-rise residence which has a huge impact on the human behavior due to the lack of space. If we start looking at the difference of urban and rural living in the EU.

HISTORY OF SPACE

The consequence with stacking buildings and the creation of skycrapes, was that streets were lacking natural light. Natural light is very important for human health. This also increased crime in the cities. Due to the accumulation of crime, to protect the people, zonings and setbacks were created. Zonings serve three purposes. One is directive, second corrective, and third protective. Directive zones specfies where the new industries can be located. Corrective zones deal with renovating and fixing old parts of the city that needs to be shapee to accomdate specific needs. Protective zoning, which is one of the zonings that, according to profressor Patrick, “it affects the architect very much” because we are destroying the surbuan beauty by cutting trees to replace their gardens with homes or indutries. (Abercrombie, 1937). Architecture now days focuses a lot on the protection of creating green spaces due to the overpopulation of cities and the lack of green areas. Therefore, I am encouraging everyone to undertand the concept of space not just as how humans interact with space, but how important spaces are for the human theselves, such as green spaces.

HUMAN BEHAVIOR

Human Behavior in Response to Movement Would you expect the same behaviors if you were observing someone in different settings and expect different variables to affect their behavior as well? “Behavior is always tied to a specific place, and the setting may have a more powerful influence on behaviors than the characteristics of the individual (Hutchison, 2013). Adaptive movement requires probable control—the ability to plan actions ahead of time based on information obtained from exploratory movements. Previous research indicates that adults are experts at navigating everyday situations. They judge correctly whether stairs are too high for walking upright, chairs are too high for sitting comfortably, doorways are too narrow to pass through frontward or objects are too distant to reach. For such well-practiced actions, adults perceive what actions are possible on the basis of brief exploratory glances involving slight movements of their eyes, head, and body (Adolf, 1995).

HUMAN BEHAVIOR

Social Interaction in Public Areas People engage in interactions for a diverse number of reasons and in many different ways. Human behavior in public places is related to the existence of other people within the same space and at the same time. Human activities bring people together and the observation of passion and activity is a motivation for activity to occur. The attractiveness of the public environment does not simply depend on its buildings, but it also depends on the presence of people and the human events that take place there. Social interactions are essential to individuals in all cultures and across the entire human lifespan. Individuals with strong social connections have lower mortality rates, decreased suicide rates, less fear of crime, and better overall physical health. In addition, people within an environment with stronger social ties show significantly higher levels of psychological well-being levels. Social ties in general are critical for people in order for them to share their feelings, sense of belonging and social solidarity. Extensive literature on the behavior of people within their neighborhoods shows crucial relationships between where behaviors take place, activity patterns, and the overall sense of environmental satisfaction. In this way, quantitative theories and methods have also been developed for understanding and modeling the relationship between space and social patterns. If the factors affecting the behavioral patterns of the people are not meticulously organized, they can lead to consequences such as crime, fear, stress, reduced security, and subsequently the loss of social sustainability amongst citizens. Research has been conducted to determine what influence social interaction has on the behavioral patterns of people, as well as if the social interactions affect the socialization, vitality, and security of spaces.

Iran city the Municipality Square

HUMAN BEHAVIOR

This study took place in Iran where those type of cities were not planned or designed. The city evolved and shaped itself spontaneously and randomly based on the needs and wills of society through different periods of time. The target was the location of Rasht Municipality Square, which is located in the central part of the city and has many cultural and administrative buildings surrounding. Before its regeneration, the square was utilized as a traffic tie, which made it unsafe and lifeless. The idea to liven it up was to change the standard behavior of the square and its use. As time went on the lifeless area turned into restaurants, cafés and a space for social gatherings, which today is a cultural pedestrian square full of history and social life. Social events were put into place, furniture, such as tables and chairs for people to sit and a pool in the center of the famous landmark. Allowing street art and performers lead to the formation of behavioral patterns that stimulated the sight and hearing of the people. The conclusion of the research included that the recognition of social interactions in spaces can lead to the emergence of positive behavioral norms from the users of the space, which can result in guaranteeing mental health, a sense of belonging, experiencing social solidarity, and less far of crime while boosting physical well-being of the people (Askarizad & Safari, 2020).

Street performer, furniture, cafes at the Municipality Square in Rhast

The Relationship between the Physical Environment and Human BehaviorBrain/ Emotion Designs are a thought-out process in business’ to increase productivity with natural lighting, plants, reduced distractions and so much more. This has been identified through architectural innovations, theories and concepts related to space and what supports those trials. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs states that people are motivated to achieve certain needs and that some needs take precedence over others. These needs cause detrimental effects when not met and can be significantly impacted as certain needs are not met or removed. It can be met in the needs of architecture, like protection and spacing. Things like this not only alters human behavior, but it affects human cognition which spirals into affecting emotion and behaviors. The idea of the needs in relation to architectural design is to eliminate distractions, encourage, motivate, and eliminate the effects of cognition, emotional and behavioral in a negative way (Szczypinski, 2020).

HUMAN BEHAVIOR

The environment that people live in affects their interactions and behaviors with their comfort. The environment and the people that are in that area affects humans. Their comfort levels become affected, and it causes dysfunction between them. Using what is known about the relationship between the environment and occupant design strategies can be identified that capitalize perceptions, memories, sympathetic nervous systems that can aid in cognition and control behavioral responses. People will learn and relearn behaviors and how to cope with different stimuli within their environments. Thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are all interconnected and influence one another. All this must be looked at and taken into consideration when building the environment that will be occupied by a group of people (Szczypinski, 2020).

Neuropsychology is identified as the brain being divided into three classifications: rational brain, mammalian, and reptilian. Each section controlling different parts of the brain. The brain cannot distinguish between real danger and danger that is thought of; so, the response is similar- which is the fight or flight response. The brain stores and remembers information, but struggles when it is active; therefore, when experiences like this are remembered it can feel like it is occurring all over again, hence the repetition of human behavior. Emotion speaks directly to the built environment in a crucial way. Emotion is immediate and can trigger chemical responses in the brain. This is the brains way of preparing to encounter a negative experience. Cognition is when memories are formed from environments that affect human behavior. They group together emotions, thoughts, behaviors and the environment of an event. Therefore, it is important to remember that the built environment effects people (Szczypinski, 2020).

FREE SPACE

Free Space Free space can be interpreted, as the space that manifests itself with all its freedom in buildings, beyond the submission to the needs of its use and that adds factors such as spatiality, verticality, compression and continuity. The analyzed spaces belong to public buildings and are not private. They are generic and to a large extent ambiguous, seemingly lacking a main function: lobbies, staircases, corridors…etc, but all of them give rise to a continuous articulated space that is indispensable to the functionality of the building (Figure 9). The spaces below show that spaces are necessarily navigated by people as they inhabit the buildings, and they lend themselves to being used differently, taking on a value of their own. Despite their instrumental role, these spaces take on plenty of activity because they are freer and because they allow a less conventional use, a fact which reflects current values of society, such as diversity, expanding the focus of interest throughout the available space of the building. In the usual tools of architectural design, be this in two or three dimensions (plans, images, or models), space is subjected to the representation of the construction that makes its existence possible, without which space has no form of its own (Garcia & Falla, 2019).

FREE SPACE

PERFORMANCE OF LIGHT

Natural Light In the article, Exploring the impact of natural light in the new umass school of performance by Dylan Brown, 2017, explores the idea of rethinking the approach to a performance-oriented building by taking advantage of the latest technology in energy efficient design without forgetting the importance of what existed in the history of architecture such as the importance of natural light. As Brown mentioned in the article as the description of light, “without sound, or touch, an architect’s work would still be a spectacle to look at, but without light, it would be a form hidden in the darkness. Light has the biggest impact on our perception of space, and it can alter depth of field, create drama, or create a sense of intimacy or openness.” Many variables were taken into consideration to analyze the importance of light in design, such as luminance, color, temperature, density, height, direction, and distribution.

PERFORMANCE OF LIGHT

Light in Relation to Human Activity Studies in relation to light focus on the visual and indirect effects of lighting that occur through the perceptual pathway and are able to influence the human emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses. Despite this, lighting has already been proven to add meaning to the space by sending visual messages that can be affective, cognitive, associative, and motivational. Lighting allows environmental cognition: it influences the impression and the affective evaluation of the atmospheres of a space, by stimulating emotions and, as a contextual cue, resulting in cognitive associations that may influence behaviors. If light, as a material and immaterial element, is manipulated in a social way to light places and to influence social experiences, depending on social and cultural associations of people. According to traditional behavioral theory, since conditioning and learning occur through the interaction with the environment, human actions are influenced by external stimuli and can be studied in a systematic and observable way. The most important influential factors are related to the physical environment; among them, luminous conditions, by allowing the spatial perception, may define a hospitable/sociable atmosphere. This study highlighted the psycho-social effects related to the light stimuli in living environments (Casciani, 2020). Research has shown that luminance distribution and lighting arrangements could influence social interactions. When conversing, people appreciate uniform lighting which improves social connectiveness.

The way an environment is lit can alter people’s sense of personal space and closeness to others, influencing social spacing and territoriality perception. Experimental study has demonstrated that, in lower lighting conditions, the required proxemics distances between individuals increase if compared to brighter conditions. Research also claims that dark and dim lighting conditions have a positive influence on sociality and cooperation in that they reduce social distance. In private and intimate situations, dimmed lighting atmospheres enhance social proximity and define closer interpersonal distances. In public situations, a completely dark condition can be interpreted as an environmental cue of social distance and anonymity, leading to a compensatory, affiliative behavior. Dim lighting conditions enhanced prosocial behaviors, promoting interpersonal closeness and collaboration in conflictual situations (Casciani, 2020).

PERFORMANCE OF LIGHT

Light in Relation to Health and Performance Light affects the physiology of human beings in a way that impacts our physical and emotional health (Whitmore & Schulze, 2010). Scientists at the Lighting Research Center in NY have reported that daylit environments increase occupant productivity and comfort while proving the mental and visual stimulation necessary to regulate human circadian rhythms, (Wymelenberg, 2014). A 1999 study “Sky lighting and Retail Sales” reported that presence of skylights was a significant factor in increasing sales volumes. Another study that took place in 1999 “Daylight in Schools” reported that increased daylight in the classroom resulted in improvement of test scores by 10% amongst students. A 1984 study reported that patients in hospitals recovering from surgery recovered 8.5 times quicker having a window that faced trees than those who had a brick wall as their view (Wymelenberg, 2014). In a short video, Mariana Figueiro from the Lightning research center states the key to getting a good night sleep is a light fitness routine. Bright light in the morning is better with dimmed lighting in the evening helps improves sleep and mood, decreasing anxiety and depression and helps boost our immune systems. While there are several benefits to natural light, natural light is not the only type of light that can affect human health.

PERFORMANCE OF LIGHT

Artificial Light -Color and Light Design Rachel and Stephen Kaplan are both former professors of psychobiology at the University of Michigan and have conducted many studies on the way humans react to their environments. They have conducted findings in how light can affect human behavior. There are three main qualities of light in relation to color. Bights is the amount of light given off the source of light, typically expressed in lumens or lux. Some studies show that the brighter the light our emotions intensify, while low light keeps emotions steady. The saturation is the intensity of the color. More saturated hues can have intensifying effects on emotions while hushed colors can dampen emotions. The different colors of lighting have an effect on our moods and behaviors. Blue/White light makes us energetic and can interrupt sleep patterns if exposed around bedtime hours due to blue light suppressing melatonin levels. The cells in our brain tend to be more sensitive to blue wavelengths. Red/Amber lighting is said to help improve mental health. This is due to red light in the evening helping to increase secretion of melatonin which leads to better night sleep leading to improved overall wellbeing of humans. The circadian rhythm, identified as our internal clocks influences melatonin secretion, cortisol activity and alertness. The circadian rhythm can also affect the limbic system, which regulates a person’s emotions-happiness, sadness, anger…etc. Light therapy is a common treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) where light boxes are utilized providing exposure to bright lights that is typically lacking in the winter months. The direction and position of the lighting also plays a significant role in human behavior. “Lighting positioned above eye level can create a feeling of restraint, creating a more formal atmosphere. On the other side, lighting positioned below eye level can provoke a feeling of individual importance, creating a more informal atmosphere” (Kaplan, 2017).

PERFORMANCE OF LIGHT

Human Health Reports from the Lighting Research Center state that specific portions of the light spectrum have independently been studied to show improvements in health outcomes, addressing problems of seasonal depression, sleep, work performance of night-shift workers, and breast cancer. Light activates the circadian system via a newly discovered photoreceptive. substance called melanopsin, which is located in specialized ganglion cells in the retina of the eye. Melanopsin interprets the ‘information’ given it via light. Moreover, the magnitude of the impact of light clearly appears to be influenced by the timing, duration, number, and pattern of exposures. Therefore, providing some proof in our health and wellbeing are influenced by various characteristics of light (Whitmore & Schulze, 2010). Any discussion in relation to light needs to begin with an understanding that the circadian rhythms are the biological changes that take place in our bodies over a 24-hour period cycle. These cycles include changes in sleep/wake, body temperature, hormone production, and alertness. Light is the main input to synchronize the biological clock to the solar 24-hour day/night cycle. Exercise, social activities, and scheduled meals have also been shown to synchronize the clock, but light has by far the greatest effect on circadian rhythms. The challenge of designers and architects is clear: we must consider people’s cyclical lighting needs as a critical element of design (Whitmore & Schulze, 2010).

PERFORMANCE OF LIGHT

Dark Spaces Design

Dark design is identified as principles and practices that aim to design with darkness, rather than against it. This term incorporates an Spaces assortment of methods thatDark presents a new framework for design, Dark design is identified as principles thatincludes aim to characterized by two primary approaches. and The practices first of these design with darkness rather than to against it. the Thisimpact term incorporates those projects that work directly reduce of artificial an assortment methodsdesign that presents a new for design, lighting through of innovative strategies. Theframework second, designed as characterized by two primary approaches. The first of these includes a form of advocacy through creativity that seeks to raise awareness those projects that work directly thechallenges impact ofthat artificial and support knowledge exchange onto thereduce complex light lighting through pollution innovativepresents design strategies. The second, designed (Dunn, 2020). as a form of advocacy through creativity that seeks to raise awareness and support knowledge exchange on the complex challenges that light pollution presents (Dunn, 2020).

SURROUNDING SOUNDS

Relationship with Human Activities Researchers wanted to identify and consider what “quiet” actually means. It appears true that there are several health benefits to living in a quiet and pleasant environment, but what does it really mean? “quiet” may be interpreted as meaning little or no noise. However, other interpretations may have less to do with sound levels than with a lack of disturbances in a given location or a level of control that people have over different sounds. Pleasant and natural sounds often make us feel clam and safe and allow us to remain in a serene state of mind, while loud and annoying sounds like machine or other people may force us of off that state of mind. We have evolved like animals to focus on the sounds that are loud and annoying because it typically indicates danger. An absence of pleasant sounds often puts those on high alert often guaranteeing the lack of safety in that surrounding area. (European Commission 2021). After reviewing several studies on the way that people react to pleasant and annoying sounds, the authors developed their own model which focuses on the influence of sound on ‘mind states’. The model draws on theories from different disciplines, including psychology and neurobiology. They describe four possible states of mind: (1) maximally restoring (sleep); (2) restoring; (3) effortful (requiring focused attention); and (4) inefficient and more effortful. When we are living in an area surrounded by loud and annoying noises, we continue to be in the state of vigilance preventing us from not being able to focus on specific thoughts and miss out of restorative benefits of thinking freeing and being at a calm and tranquil state of mind. (European Commission, 2021).

SURROUNDING SOUNDS

Sound in relation with space There are various things that can get in the way of sound, changing its direction, amplitude, and frequency components. In enclosed and small spaces absorption plays an important role. Sound absorption is the conversion of sounds energy into heat, therapy diminishing the intensity of the sound. The intensity is known as attenuation. The attenuation of sound in the air is due to the air molecules themselves absorbing and converting some of the energy to heat. The amount of attenuation depends in part on the air temperature and relative humidity. Thick, porous materials can absorb and attenuate the sound even further, and they are often used in architectural treatments to modify and control the acoustics of a room. Even hard, solid surfaces absorb some of the sound energy, although most of it is reflected back. The material of walls and ceilings, the number and material of seats, the number of persons in an audience, and all solid objects have to be taken into consideration acoustically in sound setups for places and spaces that conduct live performance. Other things to take into consideration is how many objects are within the area for sound to reflect off of, known as reverberation. Making sure the architecture is set up in a particular and specific way, reflects the way sounds will be heard or need to be monitored in different settings (Interaction of Sound, 2021).

FLEXIBLE ARCHITECTURE

Flexible Architecture Flexibility in architecture is based on the principle that a building can absorb, or adapt, to reflect changes in use throughout their lifetimes (Kronenburg ,2007). Jonathan Hill (2003) notes, the flexible approach attempts to deal with the contradiction between the expected and actual human use and the fact that the architect is no longer involved once the building is built. A flexible dwelling is a means of responding to the inconsistency of habitation. Tatjana Schneider and Jeremy Till (2005), who have done extensive research on flexible housing, acknowledge that flexibility is the concept that gives the user choices about how they want to arrange and use space instead of the dwelling “predetermining the way they use the dwelling” (p.158). Flexibility requires architecture having a loose fit and is sometimes called ‘open building’. This concept means that buildings are not complete until people inhabit and use the space. The inhabitation can continue to change while the architecture remains the same. Fluid architecture and the loose fit of the spaces means changes of functions are easy. Kronenburg (2007) also states the benefits include being in use for longer, fitting buildings’ multiple purposes, accommodating users’ interventions, and having “greater potential to remain relevant to cultural and social trends” (p. 6). Public space is being weathered all over the world. Given a lack of political will to tackle the issue, might architects play their part in rectifying it? Carlo Cappai and Maria Alessandra Segantini, co-directors of C+S Architects, based in Venice and London, believe so. They advocate designing public buildings with a consideration of communal uses beyond those of the main brief. This, coupled with flexibility to endure changing occupation needs, can make them an asset to the community for generations (Cappai & Segantini, 2018).

SKIN

FLEXIBLE ARCHITECTURE

STRUCTURE SERVICES SPACE PLAN FURNITURE

FLEXIBLE ARCHITECTURE

Modular Design and Prefabrications

Susa Loon This project is an acupuncture operation to adapt the configuration of the space to the needs of its inhabitant, relocating certain household items to optimize the distribution and everyday use. The second strategy involves opening certain divisions to extend some spaces such as the living room. There will thus be more natural lighting and wonderful views of the Madrid horizon for the inhabitable spaces. The third strategy is the integration of a series of fold down and sliding devices that are used to divide the spaces, deploy a work space, a large dining table, a bed for a surprise guest, a spacious area to practice shiatsu or to reorganize the storage space.

SKIN

FLEXIBLE ARCHITECTURE

STRUCTURE SERVICES SPACE PLAN FURNITURE

FLEXIBLE ARCHITECTURE

Change of Space during different periods of Time Fukuoka Apartments From hinged space to the silence of void space. four active north facing voids interlock with four quiet south facing voids to bring a sense of the sacred into domestic life. To ensure emptiness, the south voids are flooded with water, generating flickerings reflections. The 28 apartments interiors are conceptualized as “hinged space”, a modern interpretation of the multiuse concept of traditional Fusuma. Diurnal hinging allows expansion of the living area during the day, reclaimed by bedrooms at night. Episodic hinging reflects change in family over time: rooms can be added or subtracted accommodating grown-up children leaving or elderly parents moving in. A sense of passage is heightened by three types of access, by allowing apartments to have exterior front doors, and by interlocking apartments like a complex Chinese box.

LIVING SPACE BY DAY

LIVING SPACE BY NIGHT

SKIN

FLEXIBLE ARCHITECTURE

STRUCTURE SERVICES SPACE PLAN FURNITURE

FLEXIBLE ARCHITECTURE

Movable Partitions and Modular Design and Prefabrication to a Large Scale Capsule Tower Nakagin Capsule Tower in 1972, it was the primary capsule design style. The module was created with the intention of housing traveling businessmen that worked in central Tokyo during the week. it’s an epitome for design of property and recycle ability, as every module is fitted in to the central core and replaced or changed once necessary. All items of the pods were factory-made in an exceedingly manufactory in Shiga Prefecture then transported to the positioning by truck. The pre-assembled interior options a circular window, bed and loo, and is provided with a TV, radio and timer. Hoisted by a crane, the capsules were inserted within the shipping containers by use of a crane, and so fixed to the concrete core shaft.

CONCLUSION

The main question of this thesis is to think about and understand the concept of space and what are the variables that affects the space in relation to human behavior? As I mentioned before the understanding of space has evolved with human behavior in time and I want to understand with today’s society what can we start thinking about for the future in relation to human behavior and space.

SPACE ARCHITECTURE

Space architecture is the theory and practice of designing and building inhabited environments in outer space (it encompasses architectural design of living and working environments in space related facilities, habitats, and vehicles). These environments include, but are not limited to space vehicles, stations, habitats and lunar, planetary bases and infrastructures; and earth-based control, experiment, launch, logistics, payload, simulation and test facilities. Earth analogs to space applications may include Antarctic, airborne, desert, high altitude, underground, undersea environments and closed ecological systems. Designing these forms of architecture presents a particular challenge to ensure and support safety, sustainability, habitability, reliability, and crew efficiency, productivity and comfort in the context of extreme environments (SpaceArchitect.org).

SPACE ARCHITECTURE

MARS ICE HOME Mars Ice Home is a feasibility study conducted at NASA Langley Research Center in 2016 in collaboration with SEArch+ and CloudsAO. Responding to the problem of galactic cosmic radiation being the most significant issue for human health on long duration Mars surface missions, the concept incorporates in situ resource utilization derived water-ice for radiation shielding and as a structural component. The study proposes design and engineering solutions for: The Inflatable Structure Element, the Deployment Systems Element, and the Access and Delivery Element of the overall habitat. The water-ice fills and freezes within cellular pockets of the precision-manufactured inflatable membrane.

The interior of the habitat will be insulated from the ice with a cellular layer of carbon dioxide, which can easily be separated from the Martian atmosphere. Long term stays on the Martian surface require habitats with reduced launch mass while providing an effective working environment with a high level of shielding from galactic cosmic rays for mission crew members. Translucent ice is the key design element in this circumstance: it allows natural light to permeate the habitat interior, keeping occupants connected to diurnal cycles, and ensuring the well-being of crew members (SpaceArchitect.org).

SPACE ARCHITECTURE

MARS ICE HOME This greenhouse design concept, CYBELE, is a Crop Yielding, Bioregenerative Environment for Life support and Exploration. CYBELE will incorporate ice shielding from the Mars Ice Home (MIH) habitat design and will produce enough food to meet the dietary requirements for a four-person astronaut crew on a 600sol surface mission to Mars. This design is the combined results for the 2019 Breakthrough, Innovative, and Game-changing (BIG) Idea Challenge. The design features an automated hydroponic growing system which utilizes a cylinder inside a torus with a surrounding ice dome for radiation protection.

The primary purpose of the greenhouse will be to feed the crew, but it will also support the operation of a closed loop habitat by recycling biomass, energy, water, oxygen (O2), and carbon dioxide (CO2) between the greenhouse and the MIH. With consideration for future missions, the targeted operating lifespan of CYBELE will be the same as the MIH, which is 15 Earth years. This greenhouse will be part of the first effort to establish a long duration human presence on Mars. The technologies that will be used in this series of Martian missions will be tested with cislunar and lun (SpaceArchitect.org).

PROPOSAL 1 FLEXIBLE SPACES

The quality of life in cities can be a difficult situation due to the lack of space and city growth. The space in the big cities are very expensive. This idea would allow us to explore what the possibilities and opportunities are that can be developed in small spaces. Taking into consideration the human activities and relation with space.

PROPOSAL

This is a case study by ELII architects in Madrid. This project’s purpose is to renew an old flat in the center of Madrid to turn it into a transformable space.

MULTI PURPUSE

SPACE

PROPOSAL

GROUND LEVEL

FRONT ELEVATION

PHASES PHASES PHASES PHASES

LIVING SPACE LIVING SPACE

THE MAIN IDEA OF THIS CONCEPT IS TO HAVE AN INTEGRATED NEIGHBORHOOD WITH SPACE WHERE MICRO HOMES COULD BE THE BASE FORM. THIS CONCEPT STARTS WITH A SINGLE UNIT AND HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EVOLVE AS THE PERSON OR FAMILY THAT LIVES IN IT. THE MAIN LAYOUT OF THE FLOOR PLAN IS TO HAVE A MAIN CORE, WHICH CONTAINS MOST OF THE SERVING LINES SUCH AS PLUMBING, ELECTRIC, AND MECHANICAL. MAKING THIS CORE TO BE THE DIVISION BETWEEN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SPACES. THE OPPORTUNITY OF THESE DESIGNS ALLOWS THE OCCUPANT TO DESIGN OR CONSTRUCT THEIR HOUSING ACCORDING TO THEIR PREFERENCE. IN THIS EXAMPLE, I AM SHOWING A POSSIBILITY OF SEVEN PHASES, BUT THERE IS THE CHANCE TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE MORE FLOORS AND HEIGHT. THE OVERALL PURPOSE OF THIS DESIGN IS TO ACCOMMODATE THE OCCUPANT, BUT TO ALSO INTEGRATE AND BRING TOGETHER A COMMUNITY. THIS WILL HELP WITH CREATING MULTIPLE SPACES.

PHASES PHASES PHASES PHASES

PROPOSAL 2

MAIN CORE MAIN CORE

BACKYARD BACKYARD

SECO

FRONT ELEV

BASE MODEL

PHASE 1

PHASE 2

PHASE 3

PHASES PHASES

MAIN CORE

OND LEVEL SECTION

VATION

ISOMETRIC VIEW

PHASE 4

PHASE 5

PHASE 6

PHASE 7

PROPOSAL 3 The idea is to create a Capsule that applies the lesson learned from my research about the space and human interaction. This capsule idea is to create a shelter from the environment that could be used in different regions of the planet or outerspace.

PROPOSAL

Outerspace architecture is the main question of the analysis of my thesis. Being able to understand space and human behavior allows to think and design spaces when we encounter conditions such as city growth or even compact space such as outerspace ships.

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