Bulacan State University DormiComFlex

Comfortable Living and Effective Learning Environment

Gutierrez, Kim Paolo B. and Yabut Rodeliza S. Chapter 1

Bulacan State University DormiComFlex

Comfortable Living and Effective Learning Environment

Chapter 1

Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION A. THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

a. BACKGROUND

According to David J. Oborne, (Ergonomics at Work 3rd Edition) Man particular has constantly been tailored to fit the demands of the physical world, and most victims accept a fair degree of discomfort and disability without too much fuss. People becoming subservient to the needs of the environment, rather than the environment being adapted to peoples needs Comfort is a major quest for many students who are searching for the ideal place where they could stay and study. Many are unlucky to find a dormitory, a boarding house, and other housing facilities which are conducive to learning and with considerations to p roper workspace, student facilities and roommates density. This is because of the limited sizes of rooms. Dorm rooms are usually small in size in order to maintain the affordability of the rent for the students. Inconvenience hinders them from doing their specific activities in their courses. Comfort is not answered considering the different demands of students. They want to save time for their homework and projects and so they rent near housing facilities. There are lots of these arou the nd vicinity of the University, but not all can answer their specific needs in their courses. Most dormitories and apartments although near to the schools, are not that effective and comfortable to the students because of the limited sizes of rooms that lack the desired function. The concern is about project workspace and student lounge areas where they could use as study area. Most students have long vacant time in their schedules, and they use it on doing their homework and projects. The problem iswhere will they do it? Lounging areas at the university are too crowded and noisy for them to review and do their homework. The facilities are not sufficient and efficient for

Bulacan State University DormiComFlex

Comfortable Living and Effective Learning Environment

Chapter 1

specific projects like those of technical-mechanical things of Engineering, computer-aided projects of Computer Related Courses and group drawings of Architecture and Fine Arts students. They have to adjust with the existing facilities in order to comply with their studies. Students have problems when there are large group projects; mostly they have to look for a host group mate where they could use their own house to be their workspace. Some were fortunate to have a generous member but also, they have to consider the family members of the host (for example: you have to ask permission first to the family before using their toilet, it is not a problem to ask but it is more comfortable if you move and work freely). Another thing, what if the number of group is not only three, four or five, if a class size project or presentation is to be done? A much larger space is needed to accommodate them all. Another is the period of the projects... What if the projects could be finished only within or less than a month, a week, a day or an overnight project? Renting a dorm, apartment or the like housing will take a monthly expense for them. When there are field trips, mostly students come home very late at night and some transportation is not available anymore. It is also dangerous traveling nighttime. Another major problem in dormitories aside from mentions above is the unknown of who the roommates will be. Here, personal space, individual characteristics, social norms and culture is an issue. Some are organized while they have roommates who are not. Some are very talkative while others are shy. Some have strong ethics while others do not. Sometimes roommates may have to study while you decide to sleep or vice versa. It is essential for students to make adjustments as well as learning to compromise with roommates. Issues in connection with this are: misunderstandings with other roommates who are not of the same course (ex. Lights are turn on if one of the boarder is doing his assignment while his board mates are already sleeping). Another thing is inadequate working space (mostly experienced by Architecture students because of using large sizes of papers and also when accommodati g their non-boarder group n

Bulacan State University DormiComFlex

Comfortable Living and Effective Learning Environment

Chapter 1

mates and classmates and if theyre of the opposite sex), storage spaces for their stuffs and the most common problem on boarding and dorm houses is sharing the same toilet and bath. As the population of the campus grows, the demand for rentable rooms also arises. The next scenario would be overcrowding. On dorms and boarding houses near the University, there are some rooms that are designed only for single occupancy, that would be for doubles and the doubles would be for quads later on. And this depends also to the sizes of occupants. Some students have to look then for other dormitories and might not be lucky to find a better and nearer one from the school. Comfort is not answered considering the different demands of students. Because of this, the academic performance of students is not fully successful. The problem calls for a study on giving solutions to have a comfortable and effective environment for learning and living of varying kinds of students. Improving student facilities is a factor to consider making their student life more comfortable. b. Statement of the Problem General Problem How can student dormitory facilities be a tool to have a comfortable and effective learning environment? Specific Problems
y y y y

How to achieve comfort on dorm rooms considering different demands of different people? How can the facilities help the students perform well academically? How to include strategies on solving dormitory problems at the same time maintaining the rent affordable for the students? How overcrowding on dormitories affect the students and how can this be solved?

Bulacan State University DormiComFlex

Comfortable Living and Effective Learning Environment

Chapter 1

c. GOAL/OBJECTIVES/STRATEGIES GOAL To be able to know how student dormitory facilities can be a tool to have a comfortable and effective learning environment? OBJECTIVES and STRATEGIES
y

To be able to know the varying demands of different students. Strategy: Interview people from different courses and know their needs.

To be able to know how can the facilities help the students perform well academically? Strategy: study more on ergonomics and development of workspace design.

To be able to know how to include strategies on solving dormitory problems at the same time maintaining the rent affordable for the students? Strategy: search for more economic but effective design for a student dormitory.

To be able to know how can overcrowding on dormitories be solved? Strategy: searching the internet, reading books and other related articles and literatures about overcrowding problems on residential buildings and solutions made.

Bulacan State University DormiComFlex

Comfortable Living and Effective Learning Environment

Chapter 1

d. SCOPE and LIMITATIONS SCOPE OF THE STUDY The study focuses on the fit between different students, the things they do, the objects they use and the environments they work and stay in. Technically speaking, about ergonomics and searching for creative solutions on how to make a comfortable environment on a limited space but still maintaining the rent of rooms affordable. The study also scopes the search for a design that could adjust with the population growth of future incoming occupants and providing rooms but eliminating crowding. The specific needs of different students are considered. The main target demographic shall be the students of Bulacan State University Main living far from the campus and the students that need workplace for projects. Study will be dealing on both male and female in all courses and to find ways on how to design an environment that can serve a tool for performing well in school.

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

y y y y y

Inaccessibility of financing data from exclusive dormitories and residence halls. Privacy of some rooms to be used on observations. Visiting and conducting studies on existing dormitories and residence halls may not be easy for the undergraduate like us. The information given by some personnel may be limited and taking pictures to some structures may be prohibited. Interviewing students who live campus is more difficult.

Bulacan State University DormiComFlex

Comfortable Living and Effective Learning Environment

Chapter 1

e. PURPOSE/ RELEVANCE/ SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY The Student Dormitory and the facilities will be Comfortable for students that are: accessible in distance thus saving time and everyday hustle. The design of a student-living place with effective facilities can be a tool for their successful and productive studying. Dormitories are integral component of the University as they foster the students total development, they offer benefits to the: STUDENTS: benefits to the students in terms of their academic achievement as well by eliminating the need to commute to campus. Students do not have to spend more time in riding any means of transportation. It also removes many distractions as it gives students immediate access to facilities that support their study. UNIVERSITY: The University will generate income from the Dormitory, also will help produce students with excellent performance and will invite more students to enroll in the university, as they will see effective results on having such facilities. The addition of residence of the students will have a net possession impact on the universitys time increasing demand for student housing yearly. This is an outcome both from the perspective of the continuous migration of students and from the perspective of what benefit it would give to the campus. f. Assumptions The Bulacan State University will be the client. The Provincial Government of Bulacan will provide fund for such facilities for the wellness of its people specially the students. The Student Performance Rating of the University will be more recognizable even nationwide because of the Dormitory facilities being a tool for effective learning.

Bulacan State University DormiComFlex

Comfortable Living and Effective Learning Environment

Chapter 1

B. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE Comfort According to Architect Robert P. Davis, The architectural design process is largely dependent on vision, not surprisingly lavishes attention on the visual aspects of the building However, how things look does not always tell us how they will feel. The composition may be artful, the colors match, and the iconography too clever by half, but the place may be drafty, noisy, smelly, or just plain uncomfortable. The space chosen only for physical beauty may have a foul temper, and when looks fade, there may be nothing left to love. In designing dormitories and housing facilities for students, comfort is the number one to consider. However, Comfort definition varies to different kinds of people. Getting comfortable is a complex act with emotional and physical components, contextually and culturally sensitive, with an indeterminate path to get there, but an absolutely certain sense of arrival. We know when we are and we know when we are not. According to Architect Davis, It has no equivalent mathematical expression, no units, no standard constituents, and no single sensory correlateIf it cannot be seen, therefore it cannot be drawn .His statement is a little confusing because of he is a designer and how will he be able to deal with the comfort problems if he cannot draw it? Comfort is a catchy tune. He is not literally saying, To draw as in to draft an architectural plan, but he is only trying to say that designers cannot give an exact measurement for the varying comfort of man. Designers could provide spaces that are not fixed and can be moved and arranged by the desired comfort. According to Crosby of E How (an internet magazine), in bedrooms of student housing facilities, multifunction furniture that is not permanently attached to walls could be a solution. With this, comfort and effective learning is achieved through having freedom to arrange things according to ones demand.

Bulacan State University DormiComFlex

Comfortable Living and Effective Learning Environment

Chapter 1

Designing a plain or simple space that can be manageable by students could also be a solution. Unremitting good taste is soporific and needs glitz to set its value. As said earlier, Comfort is like a catchy tune. Students quest for their needs in living and learning. It is a summary condition, the parts adding up to some kind of satisfaction. According to Arch. Davis, the simplest expression adds an antidote to current misery: if cold, to be warm; if hungry, to be fed. It is like, Comfort = I am not too hot, the lunch was good, the sun is shining, and my work is going well. Students settle for what they can get. Without air conditioning on a hot day, a slight breeze through an open window may be good enough. However good enough depends on what we think we deserve and who might be looking. If comfort is a sum, its parts are the balance between opposites or provide their own reason for being : Room enough but not too much, neither hot nor cold or damp, light to see and something to look at and a convenient toilet. Arch. David said, it is about the point of equilibrium and freedom. The freedom of choice needs something to choose: permeable boundaries that can be opened or closed between inside and outside, personal and public space, to hear and not be overheard, adjustable temperature, light and air. Comfort is a summary of dynamic conditions, a pulsation of the good and not so good. Comfort is like Shoe-fitting. It is the successful result of mutual adjustmentthe new shoes gradually unstiffen and conform to the feet. Nevertheless, the familiar is not always comfortablesome shoes just never fit right. Nor do all shoes fit all feet. If the shoe fits, wear it but not if it is on some other foot. When designers ask users how things should be made to make them most comfortable (or productive, etc.), the response is often what is familiar, even when it doesnt really fit or what appears to be working elsewhere, even when it cant be made to fit. People will select and tolerate ill-fitting shoes when they feel the style is flattering. Design choices are often made the same way. The problem: shoes wear out much quicker than buildings; shoes can be slipped off under the desk when no one is looking; shoes can be easily changed.

Bulacan State University DormiComFlex

Comfortable Living and Effective Learning Environment

Chapter 1

Different people have different tastes, different needs and most importantly different body sizes. Some can adjust to what exist and some just feel uncomfortable to it. Considering students courses, they also have different demands regarding their specific activities. Some activities are not common to all, so it has to be on a specific place and students should not be adjusting on what exists. About Dorm Rooms, Furniture etc. According to Elizabeth Smith, e How Contributor, Dorm furniture will form the framework of a students university living experience; a dorm room is a home away from home, and the center of college life. Comfortable, appropriate furniture will ensure maximum comfort and productivity. Even in the most expensive universities, dorm rooms are small. Students generally share a dorm room with one or more roommates, which mean double the amount of furniture. Most dormitories provide a bed, a desk and a desk chair for each resident. Leaving it up to the student to bring any additional furniture and appliances: comfortable chairs, refrigerators, microwaves, electric fans and computers. The nature of college life itself presents a risk to dorm room furniture: Heavy use, improper cleaning and a variety of other factors shorten the life of dorm furniture. College students, often not used to taking care of their belongings, are more inclined to be careless with their furniture. The new atmosphere and sudden freedom also tend to increase impulsive and destructive behavior, presenting further risk to dorm furniture. According to Antonia Sorin, another E How Contributor, it is an almost universal truth: college dorm rooms are small. Yet, that small space can be better employed with the use of a loft bed, which lifts the bed far enough off the ground to allow you to utilize the space underneath however you like. Its the same basic idea as a bunk bed, with a twist. Instead of a bed, you can put in other furniture,

Bulacan State University DormiComFlex

Comfortable Living and Effective Learning Environment

Chapter 1

creating storage, an office or a place to simply relax. According to Bill Crosby of Sunset Designers, the most common problems on residence halls are: No space, no storage, no personality, and you had to share it with someone else. Dorm room should feel like home, a shelter from the challenges outside, a place where you can be yourself, relax, have fun and yet still inspire you to reach your goals. You do not need to spend a fortune just to remodel your dorm room into a comfortable yet stylish space. Here are great examples that can provide ideas for kids going off to college as well as for the rooms of the ones staying at home: All are within a student's budget, can be assembled and disassembled within the room, and are free of permanent connections to the walls--a nono at all the schools. They have all stood the test of a year of college living; by employing standard methods of safe construction, you should have no trouble achieving similarly durable results. Comfort and Ergonomics Ergonomics is about 'fit': the fit between people, the things they do, the objects they use and the environments they work, travel and play in. If good fit is achieved, the stresses on people are reduced. They are more comfortable, they can do things more quickly and easily, and they make fewer mistakes. So when we talk about 'fit', we don't just mean physical fit, we are concerned with psychological and other aspects too. It is concerned with the understanding of the interactions among humans and other elements of a system. The profession applies theoretical principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. It contributes to the planning, design and evaluation of tasks, jobs, products, organizations, environments and systems in order to make them compatible with the needs, abilities, and limitations of people. There are different kinds of Ergonomics: Physical, Cognitive and Organizational Ergonomics. Physical Ergonomics is concerned with the human anatomical, anthropometric, physiological and biomechanical characteristics as they relate to physical activity. The relevant topics

Bulacan State University DormiComFlex

Comfortable Living and Effective Learning Environment

Chapter 1

include working postures, materials handling, repetitive movements, work-related musculoskeletal disorders, workplace layout, safety and health. It is also concerned with how the physical environment around you might affect your performance. This study will focus on the workspace design. This is a big factor to consider on student performance in school. Dormitories and other student housing facilities are the second home of the students and this environment could affect their entire stay. Therefor it should be properly designed and avoid a Procrustean Approach or making people fit in with their surroundings. The demands of the environment have been growing, with the needs and abilities of the person in the environment being given secondary importance.

Crowding According to John B. Calhoun, an American Psychologist, having an area of personal territory in a space where there are people aside from us, e.g. at the dorm rooms, is a key feature of many architectural designs. Having such a 'defensible space' can reduce the negative effects of crowding in urban environments. Creating barriers and customizing the space are ways of creating personal space, e.g. using pictures of one's family in a room setting. This increases cognitive control as one sees oneself as having control over the competitors to the personal space and therefore able to control the level of density and crowding in the space thus giving a sense of comfort. Effective learning Dormitories and housing facilities for students do not only have to serve for sleeping. Architect Gene C. Pyo said that the most important quality in a dormitory is a comfortable setting. "A dorm should not be just a long corridor with rooms on both sides. It should have many different spaces to suit many different needs," he said.

Bulacan State University DormiComFlex

Comfortable Living and Effective Learning Environment

Chapter 1

In addition, it would be helpful to have space available for activities that are not strictly social or academic, but are a mix of the two. He suggested space for arts practices and small performances, a Writing Center, or some other type of tutorial space. According to Connie Susilawati Petra Christian University, Surabaya, Indonesia, student dormitory is a very important facility, which has to be provided by university. University should not only provide accommodation but also other supporting facilities. However, designers should consider some constraints. In order to optimize the decision, linear programming has been used for this site allocation problem. This research wanted to calculate number of rooms and area of each facility, which could satisfy the constraints and obtain optimum profit. The method of this research is by conducting a survey to understand the required facilities, financial ability and the competitors' rent fee. Gathering information and developing mathematical model is the most difficult part of this research. Moreover, some facilities depend on number of students that could be counted by number of bedrooms.This research recommend number of bedrooms and bathrooms also area of each facility, such as: living room, dining room, common room, cafeteria, book shop, mini market, phone booths, sport facilities and parking space. Since this investment is financially feasible, the student dormitory could be built in the future. Moreover, the result could be used as input for the further design. Student dormitory is an essential accommodation facility to be provided by University. However, not many universities furnish this facility. In Petra Christian University, off campus student accommodation have been built and managed by surrounding housing owner. The existing accommodation does not provide the study environment because they are separate from university facilities.