Introduction
Thesis Statement
Research
Site Analysis
Concept
Development
Final Design:
1/F 2/F
3/F Apt
Epilogue
Introduction
Thesis Statement
Research
Site Analysis
Concept
Development
Final Design:
1/F 2/F
3/F Apt
Epilogue
Thesis Statement
This thesis began as a deep frustration with the issue of subdivided flats in Hong Kong, having seen first-hand how unaffordable properties are in Hong Kong, as well as the poor living situation people are forced into; this project was introduced as a response to that frustration.
It cannot be overstated, the importance of personal space and how immensely that impacts ones mental health, which is an aspect that is often overlooked in Asian societies, Hong Kong included. A place where one can feel welcomed and seek refuge is pivotal to one’s mental and physical well being, and success - something the residents of Subdivided flats are unfortunately denied of, and that this project aims to provide.
As discussed, subdivided flats are dangerous, dehumanizing and ultimately cause more harm than good. There is an urgent need for a new housing model, catered to the tenants of these living situation.
We cannot solve the problem of dense population and low land supply, but surely we improve the situation of poor living environments by looking at the current limitations and explore the possible opportunities and chances for improvement within –– exploring within the box.
This project aims to solve issues that are present with subdivided homes; offering a better living situation to people who are in need –– with the focus on creating affordable, sustainable, and quality housing for the grass-root classes.
Does living in a small space mean a bad quality of life (QoL)?
Can we still provide quality living with a relatively limited space?
Through substantial research, this project aims to explore the relationship between living space and quality of life, explore the relationship between number, size and quality of living spaces; delivering a safe, well designed quality living space as a new mode to be adopted.
The end user will be current tenants of subdivided flats, selected base on their location and proximity to the site location, as the project aims to tear down pre-existing outdated buildings, that presents an opportunity to places near by residents into significantly better living situations.
The group size would be 1-2 people, as this is an experimental project, a small user size would be a good starting ground.
If the project were to be replicated elsewhere, the targeted end users are to be people in need within close proximity of the project site, ideally within a few cities blocks or within the same district to lower the disruption of their daily life.
The Hong Kong Housing Authority is a government agency responsible for providing public housing in Hong Kong. Established in April 1973, the agency was formed as a merger of the Resettlement Department and the Building Section of the Urban Services Department.
In light of the dangerous and inhumane situation that is the subdivided flats found across in Hong Kong, there needs to be a solution that addresses such liabilities. In hopes to provide affordable living spaces with significantly higher quality of live, as well as safety; as a way to provide community support to the extremely under-privileged.
This project presents an opportunity to provide a new living space to current tenants in surrounding subdivided flats as a mean to help clear out problematic buildings.
This project will act as a basis to explore more sustainable methods to living situations in Hong Kong, with the goal to define a standard of design for future public housing.