抄録
This study focused on a lifestyle that values the space shared by the whole family, and defined the trend according to this change in the dwelling space as “sharing of the dwelling space”. We then analyzed cases of dwelling unit of condominium renovations, which have been increasing in recent years, and aimed to elucidate the changes in the dwelling space from perspective of the trend of sharing.
Specific changes in floor plans that we found were as follows:
1) The area of shared space has increased significantly, and regardless of the total floor space, roughly 30 m2 tended to be secured for the shared use.
2) The total area and number of private rooms decreased significantly, and the area of each room showed a slight decrease. Nearly half of the cases reduced the number of private rooms to fit families of a few members, resulting in zero spare private roomnote1). On the other hand, especially among large families, about 20 percent of the cases had private rooms less than the number of family members. In these cases, it was observed that flexible floor plan were used to keep a large shared space until more private space is required in the future in two-generation household, and that a large shared space was separated into sections in households with single person or only a married couple.
3) There was a trend of intentionally keeping private rooms as connected roomsnote2). Especially children's rooms tend to be intentionally connected to living rooms for the following reasons: (1) the children's room is usually made open and used as part of the shared space, (2) as the traffic line passes through the shared space, parents can keep an eye on the children, and (3) parents can feel the presence of the children while the children are in their own room.
4) Sliding doors are often installed between connected rooms and shared space (39.5%). Furthermore, a trend is found in which connected rooms and share rooms are integrally used without fittings or with a panel curtain between them. In some cases, in order to connect children's room more strongly with the shared space, a window was created in an interior wall, or the wall height itself was lowered.
5) For storage, there was a strong trend to install a large storage space that is shared by the whole family located in the space other than individual private rooms.
6) There were many cases in which entrance spaces were expanded. Instead of using it as a simple entrance, depending on the situation, the entrance was used as storage space for hobby items or as a workspace with earthen floor. The entrance space is considered as a shared space for the family.
Also, our home visits found that the family members spend most of their time in their shared spaces other than sleeping, which were a common finding among families at various life stages. This explains the housing needs background that leads to the shared floor plan.
As such, through analysis of renovations in which residents' needs are actualized, we were able to understand the changes in modern Japanese residents, which began as an imitation of the western model, based on a trend of sharing of the dwelling space.
Note 1) A number obtained by subtracting the number of private rooms assumed to be required based on a family composition from the actual number of private rooms in a residence.
Note 2) A private room that is directly accessed from a shared room without a passing through a hallway.
