ARCHITECURAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS OF SHAPING HOUSING CONSIDERING CHILDREN’S NEEDS

References: 5th International Multidisciplinary Scientific Conference on Social Sciences and Arts SGEM 2018, www.sgemvienna.org, SGEM2018 Vienna ART Conference Proceedings, ISBN 978-619-7408-33-1 / ISSN 2367-5659, 19 - 21 March, 2018, Vol. 5, Issue 5.1; 45-52 pp, DOI: 10.5593/sgemsocial2018H/51/S17.006

ABSTRACT

Correct development of small children may manifest itself by, among others, increased physical activity. Older children might go through periods of objections towards adults. Such behaviors are often caused by inappropriate housing. Children’s needs change quickly and their fulfilment requires suitable space and its proper organization (functional division and technical equipment). Children’s activity is often undesired in the representative part of the house, e.g. in the living room; and realization of their needs is limited to a separate, single room, which usually is among the smallest ones in a house. Such solution often leads to separation of activities of adults and children, occurring of generation gaps and limiting of living space.
Appropriate psycho-physical development of children should not take place only in classroom or in a small single room. It is necessary to provide children with a bigger space for realization of their needs as well as spatial dispersion of their activities. Socialization is necessary from the early age and its best form is developing of family ties, including participation in family social life and household chores. Play, work and learning make up everyday activities of children, which should be realized in the entire house. What is more, good relations between adults and children should be reflected in the functional and spatial organization of a house.
The paper presents such problems as: recommended features of the space and furnishings for children located in a house, physical activity and its consequences in the organization of space, as well as psychological and aesthetical factors in the child – adults – house relation.
The importance of space for children in the structure of a dwelling is usually overlooked by architects in the design stage. However, its recognition may lead to a better programming and designing of contemporary houses.

Keywords: housing, interior architecture, rooms for children, children’s activity