Developing the Niemi area from a student housing perspective. An Industrial Design BA thesis project.
Spring 2018
Individual BA thesis project for and in collaboration with the City of Lahti.
Grade 5/5
The thesis received Teemu Hiltunen grant given by Askon säätiö (Asko foundation).
How would housing and an urban environment support students’ well-being and prevent loneliness?
Goal: supporting daily spontaneous encounters in the living environment.
In my thesis, I researched the housing preferences and ideated the dream living environment together with students in three workshops at the beginning of the thesis process.
The key aspects of the research findings were summarised into six concepts for developing the Niemi area in Lahti. The concepts observe the living from a holistic perspective where also an urban environment affects the living experience.
The context of the design was narrowed down to the upcoming campus area in Lahti. The area consisted of a student housing block and a park.
Methods
Three participatory workshops for students to find out
- Living preferences, especially location and attitudes toward shared spaces
- The current state of living, fears and dream
- Ideating what could be in the campus area
Wishing wall to find wide range of aspects about how students would like to live.
Scale model of the campus area to inspire ideation and locate new concepts.
“Idea wall” to evaluate a bunch of created ideas.
Results
The key aspects of the research findings were summarised into six concepts for developing the future Niemi area in Lahti.
Home at the Niemi: six concepts
1: Covered seats, places to rest
2: Moving around must be smooth, and routes must be diverse.
The idea in this concept relies on the philosophy of Jan Gehl, who proposed that routes in urban environments should be built based on how people move. The upcoming park should be built part by part, by participating citizens.
3: Pets support social interaction and increase well-being.
The new dog park concept brings together dog owners and dog lovers. Instead of being an exclusive place for dog owners only, this park is welcoming by integrating several actions into one place.
4: Need for temporary accommodation
Flexible living solutions allow students and other visitors at the campus area to come and go as they need. Also, most of the students’ life is not stable. They may need to move away for an internship or exchange. The digital platform connects those who have an apartment and those who need it and supports short period rentals.
5: Encounters happen in shared spaces.
6: Affordable living with efficient spatial solutions.
Scale model
