As the consistent growth of urbanization continuing, the population living in urban areas can increase from 50% to 70% in 2050, reaching from 3.3 to 6.4 billion (World Population: 1950-2050, 2009; World Population, 2009; Population Density, 2009; Urbanization, 2009.) Although the growth of cities can benefit the worldwide economics, the movement of population can seriously change the living quality in urban areas. The living spaces in most metro areas can cause the occupants feel stressed and depressed easily because those housings are relatively small (Sommer, 1974; Freedman, 1975.) Moreover, for lower and middle-income person, the crowding results in even worse negative effects because they have more difficult to organize their lives (Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies, 2006.) Eventually, they have permanent clutter as soon as they move into their houses (Guinness, 2006;) therefore, organizing and storage turn into a significant issue for people living in small spaces.
This thesis conducted a way to optimizing the small space to create a friendlier atmosphere for the occupants. The possible solutions may range from creating innovative furniture to developing a more inviting environment. The implementing methods will be as followings: building a open-space with proper lighting installed on furniture or creating extra storage spaces by using the upper space in the house: ceilings and walls.
Direct survey, questionnaires and interviews, were used to uncover the main problems of living in a tiny space. Along with the interview, the participants were encouraged to present their ideas with mock-up model, which is part of the co-design process. In addition, secondary survey, market potential and storage issues were implemented to support the findings of primary survey. After the survey, ideations, building open-space atmosphere and creating upper storage spaces, were executed for solving the storage issue.
Consequently, the evaluation research was implemented by testing the above concepts in a virtual 3D model to acquire feedback from the end users. The main goal of this thesis is to explore the understanding of design and environmental psychology to implement a way to help people live happier and more comfortable in a tiny space.