ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing ArtsISSN (Online): 2582-7472
An Assessment of Paradigm Shift in People’s Priorities toward Interior Designing of Space during the Pandemic Outbreak Damanpreet Chugh 1 1 Assistant
Professor, Chitkara School of Planning and Architecture, Chitkara University,
Punjab, India, Amity University, Punjab, India 2 Professor,
Chitkara School of Planning and Architecture, Chitkara University, Punjab,
India
1. INTRODUCTION Pandemics
in the past vis-a-vis the Spanish flu, Russian Flu, European
influenza epidemic in 1889, influenza 1918, Bubonic plagues, and US Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) 2009, had
a deadly impact on human history Schuth (2014), Alexander (1974), Taubenberger & Morens
(2006), Munnoli et al. (2022) Pandemics in the past have given
lessons on how to treat a spatial interior layout during an outbreak Taubenberger & Morens
(2006). Spaces for Quarantine, home
isolation, and new ways of working will be remembered due to the past pandemics
Alexander (1974), Taubenberger & Morens
(2006), Munnoli et al. (2022). The pandemic covid-19 has hampered the overall
operations of cities, where Government policies implemented lockdowns, social distancing,
and movement restrictions, which resulted in changed behaviours and mental
health while at home as
shown in Figure 1 below Zaher (2020), Sharifi et al. (2020). Citizens were
not used to sudden changes and therefore faced many professional and personal
issues during the pandemic at home Sharifi et al. (2020). Many of the
sectors like education, markets, transportation, residential areas, and
public/private offices in the cities were highly impacted Sharifi et al. (2020). New age
digitization of workspaces, home offices, urban governance policies, and data
portals also guided the change in the functioning of any habitable interior
space Zaher (2020), Sharifi et al. (2020). Smart cities and
digital apps were considered for controlling and monitoring the lockdowns,
people movement, and mapping of COVID cases through their command centres. Chugh & Kumar (2022). All major city
administrations world-wide created COVID Command Centres from where the
information, measures, instructions, mapping of cases with residential areas
were channelised to control the COVID through big data and data intelligence. Chugh & Kumar (2022) This pandemic has promoted new policies, new
behaviour, new lifestyle, and new attitude which provide hope for renewed
living in interior spaces for urban housing dwellers and ultimately may upgrade
their priorities for spatial areas in a housing dwelling unit Sharifi et al. (2020), Aldossary et al. (2023), Alahdal et. al. (2020). 1.1. Problems faced in the Towns during the Pandemic Figure 1
As shown in
Figure 1 below, cities suffered during the peak of the
pandemic and so did the spatial areas vis-a-vis residential areas, office
areas, recreational areas, and classrooms Valizadeh
et al. (2022). People spent most of their time at home only,
where all the habitable spaces were redefined once i.e., bedrooms turned into
offices, drawing rooms turned into play areas, the kitchen turned into
classrooms and kid’s areas turned to exercise areas and balconies turned into
temporary workspaces, see Figure 1 below. Valizadeh
et al. (2022). A house is divided into many components for
occupational needs, self-fulfilment needs, psychological needs, and basic needs
Gorman
(2010) therefore, a house may also offer relaxation
needs, and safety needs due to COVID-19 at the same time Alhadedy & Gabr (2022), Chugh & Kaur (2023). The recent pandemic has offered a new outlook and
a vision to perceive housing, a house, and a layout in a unique way. Valizadeh
et al. (2022), Alhadedy & Gabr (2022). Many research studies have shown the data that
people having good economic status with spacious houses along with good
neighbourhood facilities were resilient during the pandemic compared to
low-income groups, slums, and squatters where proper internal spaces were not
available and neighbourhood was not available Oluwatosin et al. (2020), Okem et al. (2022). Therefore,
resilience in houses were seen where the income levels were high, which also
means that having more built-up area there may be more amount of flexibility
and safety.
Oluwatosin et al. (2020) The change in the internal spatial planning of a
dwelling unit may vary according to the economic status Oluwatosin et al. (2020), Okem et al. (2022). Many residents
faced issues during COVID-19 and were not mentally prepared for this challenge,
either in terms of the need for space or for their change in lifestyles Yun et al. (2021), Zaher (2020). As shown in Figure 1 above, Mental Health issues, spatial
issues, presence of family members at home and related disturbances, lack of
space for office work/domestic work, lack of space for online classes of their
child, and change in hygiene, behaviour and lifestyle were a few to count which
demanded a big transformation in the planning of a housing project and its
internal design of built-up space Alhadedy & Gabr (2022), Oluwatosin et al. (2020), Valizadeh
et al. (2022), Zaher (2020). 2. LITERATURE
REVIEW AND HYPOTHESES 2.1. Literature Review The ample availability of literature on housing and
pandemic-related issues have focused on change in occupant’s thinking
abilities, social attitude, lifestyle, and behaviours Chugh & Kaur (2023) has raised the need for a renewed approach to a
dwelling unit layout design, see Figure 2 below Oluwatosin et al. (2020), Yun et al. (2021). The literature
has also pointed out issues during the pandemic related to mental health,
depression, discomfort, and negative behaviours due to shared interior spaces
with other family members which ultimately resulted in a manifold increase in
domestic violence, see Figure 2 below Chugh & Kaur (2023), Yun et al. (2021), Alahdal et. al. (2020). The requirement of extra space in a house for
health issues when a family member in the house falls sick due to an infection
of COVID-19, that is the time which pressurized whole of the family and demands
more internal spaces, flexible spaces, and separate sanitation provisions Oluwatosin et al. (2020), Zaher (2020). Occupants having
large-sized dwellings had the facilities to change their interior spaces
anytime into a home quarantine or isolated spaces Gür (2022). On the other
hand, people having less income, large household sizes, and slums faced serious
challenges in mitigating the health crisis at the domestic level due to a lack
of extra internal space for health emergency uses Chugh & Kaur (2023), Oluwatosin et al. (2020). The current
health emergency has given a chance to change or modify the priorities for
common spaces to create adaptable internal spaces for such critical situations Aldossary et al. (2023), Alhadedy & Gabr (2022), Zaher (2020). The Pandemic was
the time when occupants and interior designers realized to change their thought
processes and priorities towards domestic and non-domestic activities jointly Zaher (2020). Issues like
studying, sleeping, cooking, and playing have faced a shortage of interior
spaces which may be handled only by changing the design priorities towards a
spatial layout. Alhadedy & Gabr (2022), Zaher (2020). The fact is not denied by scientists, virologists,
epidemiologists, and doctors that there would be no future pandemic, instead,
they mentioned in many varied journals that we should deal more cautiously with
pandemics, and the future pandemics may be highly devastating in comparison to
the current pandemic if no lessons are learned Sharifi & Khavarian-Garmsir (2020), Chugh & Kaur (2023). The design
experts have discussed the policies with the industry leaders and policymakers
for preparedness in such a situation of a health crisis, and accordingly,
inculcate the spatial areas as well to handle the situation Sharifi & Khavarian-Garmsir (2020). There are literature and case studies mentioning
family lounges having the proper door to exteriors may later change into a
home-isolation area to protect other family members from COVID-19 infection Alhadedy & Gabr (2022). Healthcare
emergencies may be tackled by designing effective spatial areas Alhadedy & Gabr (2022), Chugh & Kaur (2023). Isolated areas with all
basic amenities in a spatial area having natural light, sanitary, and
greenery/open areas, etc may provide resilience during COVID-19 Alhadedy & Gabr (2022). Therefore,
spatial designing is currently encountering a paradigm shift in planning and
design approaches that can withstand future challenges and provide resilience
for the occupants to future outbreaks Alhadedy & Gabr (2022). Much of the literature has shown a way forward for
designing transformable, adaptable, and convertible interior spaces, i.e.,
during the night-time a space is a bedroom, and, in the morning, it is an
office, as shown in Figure 4 & Figure 5 below Gür (2022), Alhadedy & Gabr (2022), Zaher (2020). Likewise, in the
daytime, it’s a family lounge and at night it is converted into a bedroom, as
shown in Figure 4 & Figure 5 below. With this
approach, the usage and efficiency of internal spaces can be optimized by
noting the current issues and devising changes in the spatial designs Gür (2022), Alhadedy & Gabr (2022), Zaher (2020). Figure 2
2.2. HYPOTHESES H1: There is a significant paradigm shift in
people’s priorities in reference to interior designing post-COVID. The structured survey questionnaire with the
snowball sample technique was filled by the respondents to get valid results
and the survey conducted and analysis has shown a positive and significant
relationship with the occupant’s perspective in tackling spatial layouts
post-covid Gür (2022), Alhadedy & Gabr (2022), Valizadeh
et al. (2022), Zaher (2020). A Conceptual
Model of hypotheses H1a, H1b, H1c and their inter-relationships is shown in the
Figure 3 below. H1a-Classification of the Dwelling Unit (CDU)
Vs Shift in daily behaviour
(SDB) The Hypothesis H1a may probably show a
negative-perfect correlation, where reducing one aspect is responsible for an
increase in other aspects i.e.: ·
Classification
of the Dwelling Unit (CDU) Vs Health and Hygiene during COVID-19 (HHC): A small size of a dwelling unit may
probably result in a compromise in health and hygiene during COVID-19 (HHC), or
a large size of a dwelling unit may probably result in a following the health
and hygiene practices during COVID-19 (HHC). Similar issues are also mentioned
in the research paper published by Gür (2022), Chugh & Kaur (2023), Alhadedy & Gabr (2022) which mentioned that many of the
issues were dependent on the size of the dwelling unit to facilitate activities
at home during the pandemic. The dwelling unit where the area was small faced
more issues related to health and hygiene, whereas the dwelling units with
larger areas were having more spaces to maintain health and hygiene. Moreover,
during any COVID-19-infected member at home the larger units stayed resilient
as compared to the small units as mentioned in the literature reviewed Chugh & Kaur (2023), Gür (2022) ·
Classification
of the Dwelling Unit (CDU) Vs Kids Encountering issues (KEI): A small size of a dwelling unit may
probably result in Kids encountering issues during online classes (KEI), or A
Large size of a dwelling unit may probably result in a reduction in issue faced
by the Kids. The issues related to children encountering problems in attending
classes are also mentioned in the literature reviewed Valizadeh
et al. (2022), Zaher (2020) which says that many of the issues
were dependent on the size of the dwelling unit. Larger size dwelling units
were facing less/no issues as compared to the dwelling units having small sizes
because of the availability of number of rooms and open areas to attend the
classes and to play making life more balanced in the large dwelling units. Valizadeh
et al. (2022), Chugh & Kaur (2023) ·
Classification
of the Dwelling Unit (CDU) Vs Family members Encountering issues (FEI): A small size of a dwelling unit may
probably result in Family members encountering more issues during online
classes (FEI), or a large size of a dwelling unit may probably result in a
reduction in issue faced by the Family members during online classes (FEI). Similarly,
the issues related to family members encountering problems in attending online
office meetings are also mentioned in the research paper published Valizadeh
et al. (2022), Zaher (2020), Alhadedy & Gabr (2022) Many of the issues mentioned in the
research were dependent on the size of the dwelling unit i.e., small sizes
dwelling units were facing more issues as compared to the dwelling a unit
having larger size because of constraints in a greater number of family members
with multiple activities and one has to attend their offices online and
concentrate on daily office works. Chugh & Kaur (2023) ·
Classification
of the Dwelling Unit (CDU) Vs Consciousness regarding keeping the house
clean (CHC): A small
size of a dwelling unit may probably result in Less Consciousness
regarding keeping the house clean (CHC), or large size of a dwelling unit
may probably result in a more Consciousness regarding keeping the house
clean (CHC). The research published by Chugh & Kaur (2023), Gür (2022) has mentioned in that almost all
economic classes were conscious about keeping their house clean during the
pandemic Okem et al. (2022). It is only due to constraints like
the area of the dwelling units and the level of awareness was also restricting
them to be conscious during the pandemic. Okem et al. (2022) ·
Classification
of the Dwelling Unit (CDU) Vs Practice new activities during lockdown (PAL): A small size of a dwelling unit may
probably result in less Practice for new activities during lockdown (PAL), or a
large size of a dwelling unit may probably result in a more Practice for new
activities during lockdown (PAL). The
similar results are published in Alhadedy & Gabr (2022), Gür (2022) where the author has mentioned that
the occupants have practiced new activities and hobbies while staying at home.
The activities vis-a-vis craft making, dancing, yoga, exercising etc were a
constraint in dwelling units having limited areas and more households. Therefore, the results to be analysed may probably
state a significant relation in the parameters of Classification of the
Dwelling units (CDU) with Shift in daily behaviour (SDB). To find out the
relationship between the variables of COD and SDB Chi-Squared Analysis for H1a
shall be applied. Figure 3
H1b-Classification of the Dwelling Unit (CDU)
Vs Outlook reg Covid-19 (ORC) This may show that people of all categories and
income classes may probably have taken care of following measures to maintain
health hygiene during COVID-19. See Figure 3 above, for a
conceptual framework of corelation between the parameters. ·
Stay
at home helps to reduce the spread of the virus. (SHH) ·
Isolate
infected people (IIP) ·
Stop
schools and universities can reduce (SSU) ·
Closure
of crowded places (CCP) ·
Stop
travelling between cities. (STC) ·
Limiting
within-city movement (LCM) ·
Adopting
covid appropriate behaviour (ACB) ·
Working
from home (WFH) ·
Change
in diets (CID) ·
Increased
focus on immunity food (IIF) Many of the
research published and literature reviewed have mentioned the issues of
maintaining health and hygiene through varied parameters and preferences by the
occupants. Due to the sudden health crisis and change in outlook towards
personal health and hygiene, people changed their attitude towards COVID-19.
Staying at home, isolating, not going to the educational institutions, not
going to the crowded places, stopping travel from major cities, limiting city
movement, adopting COVID measures, working from home and change in diets were
highly preferred among public in all most all towns. Yun
et al. (2021), Sharifi & Khavarian-Garmsir (2020), Gür (2022), Chugh & Kaur (2023) Therefore,
the results to be analyzed may probably state a
significant relation in the parameters of Classification of the dwelling unit
(CDU) with Outlook reg Covid-19 (ORC). To find out the relationship between the
variables of COD and ORC, one-way ANOVA test for H1b shall be applicable to
find out the relation between the variables. H1c-Classification of the Dwelling Unit (CDU)
and Utilisation of spatial area in the
dwelling unit (USD) may probably show a positive perfect
co-relationship, see Figure 3
above, for a conceptual framework of corelation between the parameters. The
area of a dwelling unit was compared with the: ·
Classification
of the Dwelling Unit (CDU) Vs Utilization of rooms (UOR): A small size of a dwelling unit may
probably result in limiting utilization of rooms (UOR) Practice for new
activities during lockdown (PAL), or a large size of a dwelling unit may
probably result in more utilization of rooms (UOR). As per the literature reviewed, during the
COVID peak, the usage of houses was not fixed due to the availability of family
members at home and all having varied personal activities of either attending
classes, attending the office, doing exercises, and/or learning anything new
from online sources have vanished particular use of any area. People converted
their bedrooms to an office during working hours, drawing rooms were converted
into yoga or exercise areas, smaller rooms, and balconies were converted for
online classes for kids. Due to this there was no usage of a room fixed for
morning, evening and night as mentioned in the published research. Gür (2022), Alhadedy & Gabr (2022), Zaher (2020) The much-required flexibility during
COVID was only possible in dwelling units having larger areas instead of
smaller units. ·
Classification
of the Dwelling Units (CDU) Vs utilization of open areas (UOA): A small size of a dwelling unit may
probably result in limiting utilization of open areas (UOA) during lockdown, or
a large size of a dwelling unit may probably result in a more Practice for new
activities during lockdown in open areas.
As mentioned above for utilisation of rooms, similar flexibility was
possible in larger units for open areas where the options of having a veranda,
balcony, terrace, front yard, backyard, or a garden during lockdown as compared
to the dwelling units having small sizes. Gür (2022), Oluwatosin et al. (2020), Valizadeh
et al. (2022) The option of doing any activity in open areas
were more common in larges dwelling units instead of smaller units. ·
Classification
of the Dwelling Unit (CDU) Vs Cases of COVID-19-infected family members during
health issues (CII):
A small size of a dwelling unit may probably result in less or no availability
of extra room for infected members for quarantine or a large size of a dwelling
unit may probably result in availability of extra spaces for COVID infected
family members having health issues (CII)).
As mentioned in the published research of Gür (2022) the size of the dwelling units has
given an extra option to safeguard their family members by isolating through
providing a separate quarantine area and this was possible where the occupants
have more incomes and larger houses. Alhadedy & Gabr (2022), Chugh & Kaur (2023) The provision of an isolation area was combined
with a toilet having washing area and a bath area where they can maintain their
health or daily routines during the quarantine period. Therefore, the size of
dwelling units, as per the literature review has shown signs of having
resilience for larger units as compared to the smaller units. ·
Classification
of the Dwelling Unit (CDU) Vs the area used to sanitize daily groceries
(ASG): A small size
of a dwelling unit may probably result in less area used to sanitize daily
groceries (ASG) or a large size of a dwelling unit may probably result in a
more area used to sanitize daily groceries (ASG). As per the literature
studied Chugh & Kaur (2023), Gür (2022), Alhadedy & Gabr (2022), it depends a lot on a unit size
which can offer extra space or a buffer area before entering a house to
sanitize or wash groceries. Very little possibility was available in front of
the smaller units as compared to the larger units where the spare area decided
the safety of the occupants during COVID. The spread may be limited in case of
the groceries are washed or sanitized at the entry of the house to avoid any
spread of infection through the surface of the grocery packets. Therefore, the results to be analyzed
may probably state a significant relation in the parameters of Classification
of the dwelling (COD) with the Utilisation of spatial area in the dwelling unit
(USD). To find out the relationship between the variables of COD and USD,
Chi-Squared Analysis for H1a shall be applied. 3. Research Methodology 3.1.
Survey
Instruments-Questionnaire Design The purpose of the structured household survey was
to get the actual ground conditions of the pandemic time in the form of
opinions, attitudes, and experiences. It’s the residents who faced varied
issues during the pandemic while staying at home. Lack of space, disturbances
due to family members, health/hygiene maintenance, new provisions at home,
sanitation at the dwelling level, and change in attitude and behaviour are a
few of the matters which were mentioned in the published literature. The target income class was 03 sections of the
society i.e., the Lower-income group having 1-BHK unit, the Middle-income group
having 2-BHK unit, and Higher-income group having 3-BHK unit. The selection was
to select all groups in a society to get unbiased responses, to compare their
extreme conditions, and consequences happened during the pandemic. Therefore, a
city-based cross-sectional survey was conducted through a structured
questionnaire, through the snowball sampling method, having a 5-point Likert scale
of Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Neutral, Agree, and Strongly Agree, to measure
the opinions, attitudes, and behaviour of the respondents. The structured
survey was conducted among households of Chandigarh Capital Region (CCR) i.e.,
Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula from November 2022 to January 2023. The pilot study of 42 respondents was conducted to
test the questionnaire before the actual survey of 404 responses selected. The
structured and systematic random sampling technique from the residential
sectors of Chandigarh Capital Region (CCR) i.e., Chandigarh, Mohali, and
Panchkula during the pilot survey. The final data was collected through
face-to-face interview techniques and telephonically as well. Further, the data
was entered carefully and analyzed by using a
statistical package for the social sciences version 24, considering P-values
< 0.001 as statistically significant. 3.2. Data Collection An overall 404 participants were considered in the
structured questionnaire survey through snowball sampling technique including
doctors, nurses, engineers, architects, interior designers, and general
citizens, from lower-income groups having 1-BHK unit, middle-income groups
having 2-BHK unit, and high-income groups having 3-BHK unit, residential areas
in the Chandigarh Capital Region (CCR) i.e., Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula.
Only after a pilot study, the questionnaire was revised and finalized, and considered
standard with scaled items taken from the literature reviewed. The standard
research analysis tools chi-square and one-way ANOVA test have been tested for
the analysis of the proposed research model. 3.3. Demographic Status of Chandigarh Capital Region The demographic status during the structured survey
is as follows in Table 1 below, where 224 male
participants with 180 female participants from varied residential areas of
Chandigarh Capital Region (CCR) i.e., Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula. Table 1
4. Data Analysis The results were statistically analyzed,
and the data collected is positively significant in computing the peoples’
priorities towards internal housing spaces & neighbourhoods using
“Chi-square and one-way ANOVA test”. Attributes of an area, and context have
resulted in deciding the paradigm shift in the approach. The given Table 2, Table 3 & Table 4 below have shown
the results of the structured survey and analysis conducted as significant
under chi-square, therefore, it can be cited that there is a change in people’s
priorities toward internal housing spaces & neighbourhoods. As shown in Table 2 below are having
the parameters listed for comparison in the classification of the Dwelling
Units (CDU) Vs shift in daily behaviour (SDB) has shown a
negative-perfect correlation with a p-value 0.0001, where reducing one aspect
is responsible for an increase in other aspects i.e. Reducing the size of a
dwelling unit resulted in a compromise in health and hygiene during COVID-19 (HHC),
Kids were encountering issues in the course of online classes (KEI), family
members were encountering issues while staying at home (FEI),
consciousness regarding keeping the house clean (CHC), practice new
activities during lockdown (PAL). Therefore, the results analyzed are significant as per the area of a dwelling and
are done with the “chi-square analysis tool”. Table 2
The parameters of Classification of the dwelling
units (CDU) and Outlook reg COVID-19 (ORC) have shown a
significant co-relationship in Table 3 below, having a
p-value of 0.0001 through “One way ANOVA test”, which indicated that the
factors have a significant co-relationship. Hence, it can be mentioned that
people’s perspective has changed toward spatial consciousness. This also shows
that people of all categories and income classes have taken care of health
& hygiene during COVID-19. Table 3
The parameters Classification of the dwelling
(CDU) and utilization of spatial arrangement in the
dwelling unit (USD) have shown a positive perfect
co-relationship in Table 4
below and resulted as significant. The area of a dwelling unit was compared
with the utilization of rooms (DUR), utilization of open areas (UOA),
cases of COVID-19 infected family members during health issues (CII),
and the area used to sanitize daily groceries (ASG). Hence, it can
be mentioned that people’s perspective has changed toward spatial
consciousness. Table 4
5. Discussion and Conclusions 5.1. Discussion During the survey conducted, there were different
responses from the lower income groups having 1-BHK unit, middle income groups
having 2-BHK unit and higher income groups having 3-BHK unit as all have
different lifestyles, behaviours, habitable areas, neighbourhoods, and
attitudes during the pandemic. Therefore, all groups have shown contrasting
results because of their different dwelling unit sizes, different
health-hygiene practices, and different household sizes. Okem et al. (2022) Many of the
policymakers and designers have discussed resilience in designed communities.
Some of the residential areas which were designed have shown signs of
resilience and protection from the spread of the COVID because of their
maintained buffer areas, quality neighbourhood, defined statutory byelaws,
wider roads, quality parks/open areas, available convenient shopping, extra
rooms in the house, better natural light, ventilation, and open terraces or
parks in their houses. Aldossary et al. (2023) These available
spatial arrangements in the higher-class communities make society resilient in
many ways from the pandemic as compared to the societies that are low-income
societies. Aldossary et al. (2023) The low-income
societies are susceptible as they can't maintain health and hygiene properly,
lesser supply of sanitation, have less or no natural light, less/no
ventilation, no open areas in the house, no extra rooms, their societies also
have narrow streets, poor neighbourhood and fewer/no convenient shopping which
makes a poor society more susceptible to the Pandemics Okem et al. (2022). The recovery period of the poor and
underprivileged in longer as compared to the economically strong communities
due to differences in facilities like sanitation and neighbourhood. Chugh & Kaur (2023) Through the survey conducted and analysis, it is
found that there is a need for transformation of the housing planning and
internal residential spaces required post-COVID-19 keeping in mind the
possibility of future outbreaks Gür (2022), Chugh & Kaur (2023), Alhadedy & Gabr (2022). The chosen
indicators have shown significant changes in peoples’ awareness and behaviours
due to frequent changes happening in the categories of dwelling units,
neighbourhood facilities, income status, occupation category, usage of dwelling
units, and household size. The paradigm shift in peoples’ priorities during the
COVID-19 has offered a new opportunity for occupants, interior designers,
residential architects, developers, industry leaders, and academicians to
re-examine their outlook toward housing planning and internal spatial layouts
in space Chugh & Kaur (2023), Alhadedy & Gabr (2022). Survey respondents of lower-income groups having
1-BHK unit, middle-income groups having 2-BHK unit and higher-income groups
having 3-BHK unit during the survey and the analysis have shown fresh trends in
peoples’ priorities in managing an area during the pandemic Chugh & Kaur (2023), Alhadedy & Gabr (2022). The occupants
have discussed that there were many issues like disturbances/noises at home,
lack of areas, lack of provision of hand cleaning at the beginning of the
dwelling unit, no daily grocery cleaning spaces, lack of relaxation within the
dwelling unit, limited or no direct natural light and cross-ventilation during
the stay at home, which is in line with the literature studied Gür (2022), Zaher (2020), Alhadedy & Gabr (2022). On the other
hand, the HIG societies have not shown much of problems due to their larger
houses offering more transformability to perform domestic activities. Also, the occupants felt that there was a
lack of need-based designs of the dwelling unit which needs to be considered in
the designs during one of the interviews conducted with the citizens. Adaptable
internals spaces, flexible spatial arrangements, convertible internal spaces,
and convertible furniture might be the required elements that are currently not
in use and are mentioned in the literature studied Alhadedy & Gabr (2022), Zaher (2020), Chugh & Kaur (2023). Spatial areas have the
strength to adapt themselves in times of dire requirement if designed
efficiently, where a family lounge can be converted easily into a daily
exercise area having ample natural light with cross-ventilation as mentioned in
the literature studied Alhadedy & Gabr (2022). The underlined thing analyzed
through this research is that the reworking of the planning and design of a
housing layout may address work-from-home spaces, flexibility in spaces,
convertible home/office furniture, in-house play areas, exercise spaces, and
self-isolation or quarantine spaces for Lower income groups having 1-BHK unit,
Middle income groups having 2-BHK unit and higher income groups having 3-BHK
unit communities. Alhadedy & Gabr (2022), Gür (2022) 5.2. Conclusions It can be concluded that the pandemic COVID-19 as a
healthcare crisis proved to bring a change in general people’s priorities
toward spatial habitable areas of Low income and medium income communities Alhadedy & Gabr (2022), Chugh & Kaur (2023). The situation of the
pandemic has given an opportunity to the occupants, architects, interior
designers, academicians, and industry leaders to rethink the ordinary approach
to housing planning and provide a design option fit for adaptability in nature Chugh & Kaur (2023). The new and basic thought
process is to be considered more adaptable spaces and resilience through
planning and designing any spatial arrangement as mentioned in the literature
studies Alhadedy & Gabr (2022). As discussed in
the conducted survey, people were spending maximum time during the pandemic in
an interior space, and therefore a good design needs more care to consider
psychological health and mental health, which is discussed in the literature
studied as well Yun et al. (2021). A dwelling unit
as space has become a requirement during the pandemic as a multi-facet area
where a resident may spend time not just for sleeping and relaxing but also for
working, studying, and recreation, as mentioned in the research Aldossary et al. (2023), Alahdal et. al. (2020). Overcoming the
issues faced during the pandemic provided a newer thought towards designing and
safeguarding people and creating resilient design spaces. Chugh & Kaur (2023), Alhadedy & Gabr (2022). Furthermore, a paradigm shift towards residential
planning and internal habitable space may result in more resilience during a
health crisis through inclusive designs Aldossary et al. (2023), Chugh & Kaur (2023). The efficient usage of
cross-ventilation, natural light, convertible space, and open area may enhance
the efficacy of a dwelling unit when designed in line with learnings from this
pandemic Aldossary et al. (2023), Chugh & Kaur (2023). It can be concluded that the above-reviewed
literature, survey conducted, and analysis state that there is a significant
paradigm shift in people’s priorities in reference to interior designing
post-COVID. The parameters of dwelling units and behaviour during COVID and
daily practices have shown a strong relationship to state there is a Paradigm
Shift in People’s Priorities toward Interior Designing of Space during the
Pandemic Outbreak. 6. Recommendations After reviewing the literature, conducting the
primary survey, analysis, and discussion on the research, the following
categorical recommendations may be followed: 6.1. Planning & Policy-Level Recommendations ·
During
the primary survey and the literature reviewed, it was seen that many sectoral
jobs were working mostly online at home, therefore, several issues are being
noted and reported by the occupants during the survey which can be part of
new-age design strategies to achieve quality and resilience in a spatial
environment. Sharifi & Khavarian-Garmsir (2020), Alhadedy & Gabr (2022) ·
Through
the conducted survey it can recommended that there is a dire need for updates
in building codes for Lower Income Groups having 1-BHK unit, Middle income
groups having 2-BHK unit, and Higher income groups having 3-BHK unit housing
dwellings after the pandemic, where the provision of convertible, flexible
spaces, and adaptable spaces is to be considered to achieve resilience at all
dwelling unit levels. ·
During
the survey it was felt that the occupants of Lower Income Groups having 1-BHK
unit, Middle income groups having 2-BHK unit, and Higher income groups having
3-BHK had experienced varied problems during their stay at home during
COVID-19, therefore, innovative need-based design practices may be encouraged
to achieve resilience in a spatial area during COVID-like situation. ·
Resilience
was seen in the designed and organised communities where the neighbourhood
planning was also robust. Therefore, neighbourhood planning for all income
levels, vis-a vis Lower income groups having 1-BHK unit, Middle income group
having 2-BHK unit, and Higher income groups having 3-BHK unit, may also be
given more priority so that the availability of basic services becomes
reachable during the pandemic as also mentioned in the literature reviewed. Aldossary et al. (2023) ·
As
discussed during the interviews conducted, the interviewers stated that there
is a need for amendment in building by-laws, especially for the residential
category of all income groups, may be amended where possibility of adaptable
spaces may be given as recommendations. And the change in designs may offer
proper sanitation, natural light, and cross-ventilation. The residential areas
should be on top priority as that is a safe place to be during pandemic times. 6.2. Community-Level Recommendations ·
Keeping
the community’s sensitive group vis-à-vis Low-income groups having 1-BHK unit
and Middle-income group having 2-BHK unit in mind, the residents, architects,
interior designers, industry leaders, and furniture manufacturers may be given
the innovative need-based design practices having newer approach in spaces, as
also mentioned in the literature reviewed Alhadedy & Gabr (2022). ·
Considering
the interdisciplinary approach to inculcate healthcare, architecture, and
interior design education and awareness programs, sensitization of students
towards the change and to enhance their technical capacities towards the
importance of health in designs may be done through education. A convertible
living may be required during health emergencies/quarantine period in the form
of isolation spaces may also be taught through design schools. Valizadeh
et al. (2022),
Alhadedy & Gabr (2022) ·
In
one of the literatures reviewed and the survey conducted, affordable and
changeable prototypes in furniture can be formulated so that all economic
categories may use it regularly or during emergencies as mentioned in the
literature Alhadedy & Gabr (2022). ·
During
the survey conducted people have mentioned the importance of natural and
ventilation in the times of lockdown. Natural light, cross ventilation, and
recreational spaces are to be encouraged to balance the internal environment
and reduce mental stress. This may improve mental health as well, as mentioned
in the literature Alhadedy & Gabr (2022). Therefore, provision of the
mentioned design aspects may be provided in the byelaws. 6.3. Design-Level Recommendations Figure 4
·
Re-modelling
of the design of housing projects and inclusion of all necessities like open
areas, recreational areas, and convenient shopping may be strengthened at the
design/policy level as discussed in one of the pieces of literature Munnoli et al. (2022) ·
Interior
habitable spaces with the prospect of converting from a family lounge to an
office area with complete sanitation provisions, natural light, and
cross-ventilation to be promoted through design competitions, as shown in Figure 4 & Figure 5, Zaher (2020). ·
During
the interviews with the architects, designers and planners in the society,
sample drawings for varied sizes may be created to which the impanelled
planners, architects, & designers may easily be referred Alhadedy & Gabr (2022).
·
Need-based
designs, social priority designs, cost-effective design techniques may be
introduced in the design manuals to implement them in the designs Zaher (2020), Alhadedy & Gabr (2022) ·
The
designs may be prepared with a vision of resilience to achieve a better quality
of life and it should be focused on adaptability during health emergencies. Aldossary et al. (2023), Alhadedy & Gabr (2022). The room size in Figure 5
shown below is 14’-0” x 12’-0” which may act as a module for experimentation
having 02 adults and 02 kids. The module may be considered for Relaxing-cum-
sleeping during the evening to early morning (6 pm-7 am), working during the
morning to evening (9 am-6 pm), and a recreational/play area with family/kids
during the evening (6 pm-9 pm) Figure 5
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