Designing a Dormitory for Industrial Workers in China - Research Proposal Example

MADI 5403 Action Research Lab Specification Report Designing a dormitory for industrial workers in China Yuk Lam Lee (Rachael) P10507741 Interior Design Specification Report Contents Designing a dormitory for industrial workers in China 1 1. Project Description Project location: Foxconn Science & Technology Park, Longhua, Shenzhen Many industrial workers in China are committing suicide due to extremely difficult living conditions and unfair treatment. A Chinese manufacturing company called Foxconn – a manufacturing centre of Apple products – is well known for its unfair treatment of its employees in terms of living conditions resulting in occurrence of lots of tragedies leading to loss of workers loyalty to the company. In this regard, this project aims to design a humane environment for the company’s employees to sleep, interact, and stay for considerably lengthy periods. This project will mainly emphasize on the interior design of the building. Circulation, functions and the use of materials will be seriously taken into consideration. To achieve lower operating costs and to provide a healthier living space with less pollution, some sustainable strategies will be implemented. 2. Points to achieve This project aims to make improvements on the following areas which are advantageous to both Foxconn employees and the reputation of the company. Level of privacy, hygiene and security Air quality within the building Staff communication Quality of life of employees A place for relaxation To inspire other companies to put in place strategies to care for their employees and next generations Primary research To observe the interior of some existing hostels since they have similar design criteria to a worker dormitory in terms of solutions of hygiene problems, privacy, materials, lighting, general arrangement, etc. To request those who stay in hostels to fill questionnaires to harvest there recommendations, and to determine improvement needs. To research materials which are sustainable and non-toxic with good durability, longevity and reasonable costs. To make phone interviews with ex-employees of Foxconn who lived in the provided dormitory in Shenzhen for lengthy periods before aiming to have a deeper insight of the living condition inside. The Outcome of the research is based on the following conditions. To keep the operating costs low in terms of heating, cooling and lighting systems by applying suitable sustainable strategies. A design that acts like a healing environment which can reduce the health problems and absenteeism of workers by providing a pleasing view of interior, sufficient of natural lighting, better ventilation, and air quality and comfort found in sustainable homes. (Stitt, 1999) To utilize the products and technology produced by Foxconn since using local resources would be beneficial to the society and lower the energy consumption. 3. Summary of research Secondary research and its impact on the dormitory design Regarding to the analysis made from the secondary research, some changes of the project have been made in terms of sustainable strategies. The initial idea was to use live microalgae to generate renewable energy and offset carbon emissions from the dormitory, however, a study conducted by Hankinson and Breytenbach (2012), indicates that there are many barriers that impact on the implementation of sustainable design. These barriers include; 1. Cost 2. Education and inexperience in sustainable design and 3. Materials, Therefore, the “algae” idea was not applicable to the case of Foxconn dormitory. To implement sustainable design without having to spend large amount of money on the employment of the design method, this project will be referring to the features of the Vernacular Architecture, which is a popular used model that teaches sustainability. It provides innovative solutions such as maximizing the use of natural energy. For instance, it does not depend on advanced energy-consuming systems for heating, cooling, providing ventilation and lighting. This means that Foxconn would still be able to implement sustainable designs in their buildings without sacrifice the health and work experience of its workers. The research focuses on the relationship between human and environment. This is based on convenience, wellness and how human beings react to extreme conditions. The design is going to tackle on how to avoid the following environmental stress factors: noise, heat, air pollution, crowding and architectural dysfunction, at the same time providing physiological comfort, safety, belongingness, and aesthetic needs for workers. Primary research and its impact on the dormitory design Questionnaires This section will be summarizing the findings from the interview. There were 20 people from London eye hostel who were asked to fill in the questionnaires (Appendix A) by giving scores in terms of different interior design aspects to show their level of satisfaction of the hostel. According to the circle graphs (appendix B), it shows that the most satisfying aspects are noise isolations from outside the building, and the arrangement of furniture. The level of convenience within the hostel, the use of artificial lightings and the space of the room are also satisfying factors. However, the customers felt the hostel did not provide a good level of hygiene, security, natural ventilation and natural lighting which are considered as the basic human needs. About six interviewees suggested that the implementation on solving hygiene problems and providing enough natural ventilation should be a priority, since these issues directly affect physical and mental health during their stays. Besides, some of them did not feel secure enough during night-time and also, the felt unsafe staying with strangers the same room. Phone interview with a previous Foxconn worker Appendix C shows the conversation between the interviewer and the worker. The interview was done in Chinese and translated to English. The content was about the level of the worker’s satisfaction on the living environment. The whole conversation has been briefly summarized into bullet points: No privacy at all and only a small locker provided for storage The toilet and bathroom hygiene was terrible Corridor light is insufficient Workers always lose their personal belongings Workers can’t sleep well during winter and summer as it was either too cold or too hot Living rooms are utilized for cooking There is only one common room that has a TV in the whole block Workers always got awaken by different noise High absenteeism to work because of health issues There is Gambling in the rooms due to lack of beneficial activities Aforementioned, the design criteria of an industrial worker dormitory is similar to hostel design, and we believe it was the best and most convenient way to find out the deficiency of the hostel and also, discover some good design solutions for this project. And what the previous Foxconn worker said in the conversation really helped us to understand the real situation. Based on the research result, some specific design decision has been made: Toilet hygiene solutions: Toilets and bathroom surfaces that are likely to be soiled should be made of smooth, waterproof and hardwearing material that can be cleaned with water and are resistant to cleaning agents (Adams et al., 2009). A design that encourages minimal hand contact and focuses on privacy e.g. aural, visual and odour should be encouraged. Also, it is essential since it helps minimise misuse and abuse of the toilet.(RSA, 2013). More secondary research in terms of design solutions is still in progress. Privacy and security solutions: To design a sleeping area with a lot of privacy and amenities and also, provide enough space for storage with good security technology. To achieve the above stated purposes, the initial idea of the sleeping area is designed to resemble the Japanese capsule hotel concept. More secondary research in terms of design solutions is still in progress. To maximise natural light such as using natural lighting products which provide excellent thermal characteristics and low levels of UV output. An example is shown in Appendix D (Natural Lighting Products, n.d.). For natural ventilation solutions, the project will be using the vernacular architecture features. More secondary research in terms of design solutions is still in progress. To use non-toxic materials for flooring and walls such as bamboo, marmoleum and cork in order to promote indoor air quality and reduce the possible harmful effect to human health. More secondary research in terms of use of materials is still in progress. To design an interactive and comfortable zone where workers can relax themselves, also a healing environment which can help reduce stress and anxiety resulting from work. Furthermore, a design that encourages workers to have more interactive communication with their colleagues and allows them to keep update to the outside world by installing appropriate technology. 4. A ‘client ready’ conceptual design 5. Presentation plan At the end of term 2, design concepts of the Foxconn dormitory will be presented to client concept stage. The presentation will include explanation of how research outcomes affect the design decisions, and different methods such as quick sketches, making models, etc. will be used to demonstrate how the design ideas relate to the research result. Presentation of the project will be done in 10 minutes. The presentation will be in the form of a video which is impressive, clear and smooth enough to demonstrate the ideas to the client, develop concepts and finally, sketch the design. The video will be done by Final cut pro. For the presentation in term 3, to allow clients to view more perspectives and to feel the atmosphere of the dormitory design, a 3D virtual interior walk through animation and a 1:100 model will be done. The animation will be done by Cinema 4D. Apart from these, all the technical drawings and rendered visuals will be printed on two A0 presentation boards. 6. List of all drawings, visual materials Term 2 - Design concept presentations will be including the followings: Mood boards Conceptual visuals (hand-sketching visuals, digital collages, sketch models) Zone planning General arrangements Initial sample board Term 3 – the final design presentation will be including the followings: General arrangements Annotated floor plan, elevations and building sections Reflected ceiling plan Interior details HVAC/plumbing plans Schedules of door/window/interior finish/furniture Rendered visuals 3D virtual interior walk through animation 1:100 model 7. Gantt chart / action plan 8. Reference Stitt, F. (1999). Ecological design handbook Sustainable strategies for architecture, landscape architecture, interior design and planning. New York: McGraw-Hill Company Hankinson, M. and Breytenbach, A. (2012). Barriers that impact on the implementation of Sustainable design. [PDF] University of Johannesburg. Available at: [Accessed 20 March 2014]. Adams, J., Bartram, J., Chartier, Y. and Sims, J. (2009). Water, sanitation and hygiene standards for schools in low-cost settings. Geneva: World health organisation RSA (2014). Re-design the toilet using a people-centred design philosophy considering long-term sanitation issues and what will improve people’s lives. [ONLINE] Available at: [Accessed 20 March 2014]. Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Appendix D Source from: http://www.naturallighting.com.au/products/skylights/glass-skylights Read More