Reflective Log | Plurality of Space

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In this project, I first studied ergonomics and how it's essential to move around the space and then designed the space according to it and did other important observations and research. The assignment was divided into many parts, i.e., Ergonomics-1 (Intro to ergo), Ergonomics-2 (Defining space through ergo), Space Planning and Place-Making.

So starting with Ergonomics-1

In this first, I had to choose an activity from our daily routine which is brushing my teeth. In this, I had to first make a mannequin with the actual measurements of mine on the scale of 1:10. Then I took the measurements of the washroom and made the plan and sectional plans of it on graph paper. Then I placed the mannequin above it and performed the tasks in top view, side view and front view perspectives. Then I had to observe it in steps and make the space bubble and juxtaposition of the mannequin.

By getting the space bubble and juxtaposition of myself I got the minimum area that I require to brush my teeth. For eg. when I bend to spit and gargle I got the bending height and distance I was leaving from the washbasin. This made me think if I add a wall just next to the washbasin then I must need that much amount of space to bend and spit and this space made me understand the use of ergonomics. Ergonomics is the process of designing or arranging workplaces, products and systems so that they fit the people who use them. Even the height of the washbasin and the opening of it are all made according to the human beings requirements and all these distances or measurements of humans comes under anthropometrics study (the scientific study of the measurements and proportions of the human body).

By studying ergonomics through the mannequin was a way to learn it through experimenting and understanding in more practical ways. The mannequin study exercise helped us to find the suitable measures which everyone should use while making furniture or space planning. Like there should be enough height of washbasin so that we can wash hands easily at the same height where our arms are from the ground, it should not be lesser or greater otherwise we will have to raise our hands above or to bend a lot to wash them. This is when all these observations and measurements come into help. By this, we were not restricting ourselves to the standards which were denoted by secondary research which is just a shortcut for us but it never works every time. This is what this activity helped us learn to get the best standard measurements of our own. We cannot always rely on the standard measurements every time sometimes it can be wrong. That's why we need to learn the required measurements with our learning and experimentations.

Then moving to Ergonomics - 2

Now I had to make a room with the help of ergonomic and anthropometric study with 2 tasks sleeping and studying. For that, I made juxtaposing of my mannequin on a bed and took the minimum requirements for bed and even for the table I did observations by sitting and how much space I need for the chair to move back and sit. I did all the ergonomic and anthropometric studies for both the activities which gave the standard measurements.

And considering the above measurements, I started iterating to make make a room where both these activities can be performed. In those iterations, I got many critical observations of ergonomics which I learned I kept on iterating. New circumstances came in each step which helped me analyse the actual use of ergonomics in space. I also performed activities using a mannequin in the model of the final iteration. I even tried to perform these activities in reality like trying to walk with a minimum gap between two walls, analysing the space required for pulling the chair and sitting.

I never thought of these things earlier in life and now starting to observe how every piece of furniture is made according to the ergonomic and anthropometric study. From this task I learned how much space I required to perform these activities and how much space furniture requires and how it will affect the movement in space. Like we need space around the bed to walk, bend, and lay bedsheets. By this, I now learned how to make a minimum space where I can sleep and study with no hindrance in movement and ergonomics.

Now we have to add a door and window for the room. We also need to make windows in such a way that there should be better ventilation. For this I did iterations and these also helped in overcoming new problems in each step.

By this step, I found various problems in a room which could only be found out with this type of experimental learning. This opened my mind and now I started thinking about these things and can relate to them. Then I finalised one idea which is still the smallest space where I study and sleep with window, ventilation, light, door and circulation and is ergonomic.

Then I had to make the space for 2 people and 3 activities, i.e., studying, sleeping and dining. By using the previous learning I have the measurements and the basic knowledge of a room and whats all factors I should think of. But when it comes to 2 people we have to think that how they would also interact in that space, don't fight for their space and privacy and various other issues. So I started iterating for that.

While making these ideas I never thought about many things that would also happen if we do the furniture placing like that. Then from these, I selected the idea to be the outcome and it should also be satisfying every factor that should be followed in a room.

By this, I completed the basic understanding of room for 2 people and helped me build the parameter and various measurements which I require and cannot be changed for creating a room which will reduce my time in thinking of these things while redesigning my room. This trial and error method of room designing was to make us understand how we are bound to use the space and make it so efficiently that we make the least number of mistakes in further designs and reach outcomes very quickly. It increases our confidence when we become sure that required protocols are fulfilled.

Now after this task we come to the next part where we had to now redesign our room and change it using the knowledge of ergonomics and the defined parameters. Now it was the tie to use that knowledge in reality and that was the most exciting part.

This started with Space Planning.

In space planning, we first analyse the room made its plans and sections, observing the surroundings of the room like what is next to that room, then writing the problems in the room and my requirements, and then diving the space into the zones or activities which I want. It is like a warmup exercise or like a police investigation where we are observing, generating requirements and defining our protocols. It is the basic information we should have for that room to move forward.

After this, we move forward to the main task Place-making.

In this task, we did iteration according to the space planning. First I was doing with the dimensions as it is but then I increased the room space as in my previous window design project. Then I declutter furniture from the room and start with different furniture positioning.

In my room, I wanted a lounge-like space but this was achieved only by extending the space and it also helped in getting more light and I achieved a plan which meets all my requirements and was also meeting all the ergonomic factors.

Then we have to apply the golden ratio and adjust the furniture geometrically. But in my design, I wasn't sure which type of furniture I am using but this was the rough section of furniture I was using which are cuboidal in shape so I did not get many great changes in my room after applying the golden ratio. It did make my furniture geometrical to all and bring everything on the same level and everything which does increase the appearance. But I changed the furniture later. It helped me understand the meaning of what is appealing. We had already made everything according to ergo but now we made it more aesthetically pleasing by adding geometry.

Then we started with creating the mood board and determining keywords to create a context of what I wanted and choosing the appropriate colour for the room. So for this, I did 2 iterations.

But this wasn't good we started with again finding parameters for the floor and walls that we wanted so I did secondary research to find about the material and the colour, lighting, textures and patterns. This helped in further deciding and limiting these parameters helped in reducing time and increased knowledge of materials in more simplest ways.

After all the parameters I made a few iterations digitally to make it more understandable. I first chose Vinyl Flooring but after much feedbacks and understanding its disadvantages I then decided to change it. I was also making the accent wall with darker colour which was not working for my room and thought of making all walls of the same colour later.

Finally, I used Ceramic Tiles as flooring and painted all walls light blue so that it also reflects more light and it's my favourite colour although blue is known for light sucking so I chose light blue with semi-gloss paint and it also gives the feel of coolness and relaxation. I chose white blue and dark blue as the colour combination and main thing I was mostly satisfied with what I created. I never thought I would reach this place and would even get a plan like this. This room was like my dream room and I liked it so much.

Through this activity, I first learned the step by step process of placemaking in which I even decided furniture placement according to ergonomics, then deciding the material for floors and colour for walls. It's very hard to decide and come to reasons which I achieved by many secondary resources and my primary research.

Reorganization of house

In this task, we had to now redesign our house. I have 2 floors in my house and both are used and part of all the tasks. So I first started with making the plans of both the floors at 1:50 scale and for that, I had to measure my whole house. I also found out that my house is made with double-wall, column and beam structure. It was constructed in 1973 and was made in parts and has a courtyard in between for proper light and ventilation.

Then I started with Space Analysis and Planning of the house. First I identified the hierarchy like how the house is divided into public, semi-public/ semi-private and private zones. And then I started with identifying the adjacency like which room is adjacent to what why the house is designed in such away. Then at last I started with noting down the problems, improvements and the wishes of my family members. This made me understand what all zones are required to start with making zones for each floor.