How do you ensure comfort and well-being in small spaces?
While part of the feeling of comfort and well-being in an internal environment is related to factors outside the building, such as natural lighting and ventilation, another part is directly related to the internal spatial distribution and sensations caused by the occupants of the building. building. space through architecture.
Reconciling all the factors that provide more comfort and well-being in interior spaces is always a challenge in an architectural project, especially in environments with small surfaces, where the space must be maximized and there is not always the possibility to provide large openings for the exterior or even not to accommodate all the functions of the program in a conventional way.
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In these cases, a range of solutions can be devised in architectural terms to promote a greater sense of well-being for the occupants of the building. Below we present some of the strategies that can be used in small-scale projects to ensure greater comfort in terms of lighting, ventilation, space homologation and the well-being of those who live there.
Natural lighting and ventilation
Windows, as one of the main means of connecting the interior and exterior in an architectural project, have the dual function of lighting and ventilating the rooms. These qualities are highly valued in environments with limited space, so it is important that they are well sized and positioned based on ventilation studies and the solar path, combined with the needs of the site.
Renovation: U-shaped room / Atelier tao + c
Rooftop studio Tapachula / TO
Flexible and versatile furniture
Flexibility is key for projects with a small footprint. Stairs used as wardrobes, extendable tables, beds with built-in drawers and furniture on wheels are some examples of recurring solutions in spaces with limited footprint to save space and solve more than one function in a single element.
Apartamento 097 – Yojigen Poketto / elii
28 m2 apartment / studio wok
Vegetation
Humanity instinctively depends on nature, which stimulates the quest to be somehow close to it. In small areas, an alternative to save space and still take advantage of the influence of vegetation on the well-being of those who live there is to incorporate it in a hanging fashion.
Pantera Filmes Workshop / Matú Arquitetura
Apartment Lido 501 / Atelier Aberto Arquitetura
High ceilings
Environments with high ceilings not only allow for greater use of space by creating mezzanines and higher storage areas, but also aid in the ventilation of indoor environments through the chimney effect.
Taller_142 / Atelier Wilda
Family house / Ruetemple
Light shades
In a previously published article, we showed how colors can change the perception of interior spaces, and a good example is the use of light colors on the surfaces of an environment as a way to create a sense of greater spaciousness.
The Camarin / IR architecture
Spectral apartment / BETILLON / DORVAL – BORY
Hot materials
While light and cool tones can contribute to a greater sense of comfort in interior spaces through the greater sense of spaciousness, warmer materials such as wood, fabrics and ceramics can provide a greater sense of welcome without necessarily giving the feeling of being in a larger area. life. space.
Architecture studio / Alina Jerónimo + Paulo Carneiro
Apartment in Saint Andreu / Oriol Garcia Muñoz
Mobile and lightweight partition walls
Mobile and lightweight partition walls, be it curtains, panels or other options for flexible room separation, have a big advantage in small spaces. When fully open, these elements promote better integration between spaces, while, when kept closed, take up less space compared to traditional space partition alternatives such as drywall or masonry.
Renovación Apartamento Alphonse / Match, architectural firm
Translucent spaces Apartment / batlab architects
This article is part of the ArchDaily topic of the month: Wellbeing in Indoors. Every month we explore a topic in depth through articles, interviews, news and plays. Read more about our topics. And as always, at ArchDaily, we value the contributions of our readers. Please contact us if you would like to submit an article or work.