UK Residential Buildings - The Spatial Quality of Compact Living

98 Pages·2014·4.27 MB·English

UK Residential Buildings;
The Spatial Quality
of Compact Living

By Luke Riggall.

1� of 9� 8
2� of 9� 8
Dissertation
UK Residential Buildings: The Spatial Quality of Compact Living

What makes a space a liveable home, and can compact living achieve this?

Luke Riggall
P13201616
May 2014

De Montfort University,
Leicester School of Architecture,
Master of Architecture Year 5,
Dissertation

11,138 words
______________________________________________________________________________

3� of 9� 8
4� of 9� 8
Abstract

This dissertation sets out to examine high quality examples of compact living to determine how
liveable this type of residential living can be. An ‘Indicative Design Guide to Liveable Homes’ was
created from a variety of influential sources. This guide was tested against five case studies and
the results were analysed. I found that compact living can achieve a high standard of living as
long as the area of the dwellings footprint per person does not fall below a realistic minimum size
of around 20m2, or a more recommended area of at least 25m2. These figures however require an
exceptionally high quality of design and meticulous attention to detail.

Acknowledgement

This research project would not have been possible without the support of many people. The
author wishes to express his gratitude to his supervisor, Dr. John Ebohon who was abundantly
helpful and offered invaluable assistance, support and guidance. Deepest gratitude are also due
to Dr. Jamileh Manoochehri without whose knowledge and assistance this study would not have
been successful.

Special thanks also to all his friends, family and partner, who have always been there and
expressed their understanding and support throughout the duration of his studies.

The author would also like to convey thanks to the De Montfort University and The Leicester
School of Architecture for providing the platform, resources and facilities.

5� of 9� 8
6� of 9� 8
Table of Contents

Abstract
Acknowledgement
Table of Contents
Credited Illustrations
I. Introduction - Setting the Scene
12
I.I Successful Places for Compact Spaces
I.II The Desolation of UK Compact Living
II. Literature Review
16
II.I Spatial Quality and Compact Living
II.II Summary and Question
III. Methodology
24
III.I How Suitable is Compact Living based on the Spatial Qualities of a Liveable Home?
IV. Spatial Qualities within Liveable Spaces
26
IV.I Design Guide for Liveable Homes
V. Compact Living
38
V.I Approaches - Small Space, Single Space & Multi-functionality
VI. Apply and Analyse
42
VI.I Application of Liveability Design Guide to Examples of Compact Living
VI.II Summary of Analysis
VI.III Future Progression of Design Guide through Post-Occupation
VII. Conclusion - The Future for Compact Living
54
VII.I Challenges
VII.II Alternative Strategies for Improving Residential Life
VIII. Bibliography
56
IX. Appendix
61
7� of 9� 8
8� of 9� 8
Credited Illustrations

Cover. Blundell, M. May 2012. Crystal Palace Toilets Panorama. [Photograph] Available at:
<http://markblundellphoto.com/tag/victorian-toilet-conversion/> [Accessed May 2014] Page 1.

Figure 1. RIBA. April 2013. Average Newly Built House Size Comparison. [Diagram] Available at:
<http://www.withoutspaceandlight.com/#!without-space> [Accessed May 2014] Page 12.

Figure 2. Authors own. May 2014. Collage of Literature Review Sources. [Collage] Page 14-15.

Figure 3. Authors own. May 2014. Diagram of Methodology. [Diagram] Page 24.

Figure 4. Authors own. May 2014. The Predominant Profile of the Respondents from the Survey of
73 People. [Table] Page 28.

Figure 5. Authors own. May 2014. Analysed Results of Q13 Showing the Life Values from the
Survey of 73 People. [Table] Page 29.

Figure 6. Authors own. May 2014. Analysed Results of Q14 Showing the Important Aspects within
a UK Home. [Table] Page 30.

Figure 7. Authors own. May 2014. Analysed Results of Q15 Showing what Makes the UK
Population Comfortable in a Home from the Survey of 73 People. [Table] Page 31.

Figure 8. Authors own. May 2014. Analysed Results of Q16 Showing What Enables People to Feel
a Sense of Possession in a Home from the Survey of 73 People. [Table] Page 32.

Figure 9. Authors own. May 2014. Analysed Results of Q17 Showing Which Type of Space People
Most Like to Live in from the Survey of 73 People. [Table] Page 33.

Figure 10. Analysed Results of Q16 Showing What Makes a Home Liveable According to the
Respondents from the Survey of 73 People. [Table] Page 34.

Figure 11. COCO Flats. n.d. Petite Penthouse - 1. [Photograph] Available at: <http://
www.cocoflats.com/index.php/en/our-flats/petit-penthouse> [Accessed May 2014] Page 42.

9� of 9� 8
Figure 12. COCO Flats. n.d. Petite Penthouse - 2. [Photograph] Available at: <http://
www.cocoflats.com/index.php/en/our-flats/petit-penthouse> [Accessed May 2014] Page 43.

Figure 13. COCO Flats. n.d. Petite Penthouse - 3. [Photograph] Available at: <http://
www.cocoflats.com/index.php/en/our-flats/petit-penthouse> [Accessed May 2014] Page 43.

Figure 14. Cube Project. n.d. QB2 - 1. [Photograph]
Available at: <http://www.cubeproject.org.uk> [Accessed May 2014] Page 44.

Figure 15. Cube Project. n.d. QB2 - 2. [Photograph]
Available at: <http://www.cubeproject.org.uk> [Accessed May 2014] Page 45.

Figure 16. Cube Project. n.d. QB2 - 3. [Photograph]
Available at: <http://www.cubeproject.org.uk> [Accessed May 2014] Page 45.

Figure 17. Jane-Clark, L. March 2012. Crystal Palace Toilets - 1. [Photograph]
Available at: <http://crystalpalacetoilets.blogspot.co.uk> [Accessed May 2014] Page 46.

Figure 18. Jane-Clark, L. March 2012. Crystal Palace Toilets - 2. [Photograph]
Available at: <http://crystalpalacetoilets.blogspot.co.uk> [Accessed May 2014] Page 47.

Figure 19. Jane-Clark, L. March 2012. Crystal Palace Toilets - 3. [Photograph]
Available at: <http://crystalpalacetoilets.blogspot.co.uk> [Accessed May 2014] Page 47.

Figure 20. Williams, M. January 2013. Life-Edited Apartment - 1. [Photograph]
Available at: <http://www.lifeedited.com/see-full-set-of-official-lifeedited-apartment-photos/>
[Accessed May 2014] Page 48.

Figure 21. Williams, M. January 2013. Life-Edited Apartment - 2. [Photograph]
Available at: <http://www.lifeedited.com/see-full-set-of-official-lifeedited-apartment-photos/>
[Accessed May 2014] Page 49.

Figure 22. Williams, M. January 2013. Life-Edited Apartment - 3. [Photograph]
Available at: <http://www.lifeedited.com/see-full-set-of-official-lifeedited-apartment-photos/>
[Accessed May 2014] Page 49.

1� 0 of 9� 8