Flexible design in urban furniture

Abstract

Keywords: Urban open space; furniture; flexibility; design education.

1. Introduction

Landscape elements that are used in different areas and provide comfort and environmental quality indicators, support basic functions such as sitting, shelter, protection, enclosure, transportation, advice, lighting, communication, description, games and sports, and facilitate social and individual life are called furniture elements. In brief, furniture include elements that are placed to fulfill various occupant requirements in that particular space (Düzenli et al., 2017: 134). The furniture should facilitate personal and social life, and occupant communication, assign functional and aesthetic meanings to the space, and define the space. Thus, it should be functional, original and aesthetic (Güney et al., 1996: 147). The space should be flexible enough to meet the changing user requirements, while providing integrity between the space, activity and furniture in the design process that begins with the concept of furnishing. Numerous urban furniture that are encountered in urban spaces, which are the most frequently occupied spaces following the home and workplace, should be designed and placed for the occupants in the most beneficial manner and provide the right service for the occupants. Thus, the current approach to furniture and ergonomics is a holistic one. Ergonomics is a technique that aims harmony between urban environment and all vital and T. DÜZENLİ & E. M. ALPAK & A. ÇİĞDEM, FLEXIBLE DESIGN IN URBAN FURNITURE

Yildiz Journal Of ART And Design

Volume: 6, Issue: 1, 2019, pp 37- 50 Received Date: 17/05/2019 Accepted Date:30/06/2019

functional elements used in this environment and human beings. A quality open space could only be created with ergonomics principles in mind. Humanitarianism, economy, social adequacy for the protection of health, and technical and economic rationality could be considered as the goals of ergonomics (Bulut et al. 2008). It is also important to prevent a conflict between the furniture and aesthetic values of the space and that the furniture possess the flexibility and quality to serve the spirit of the area (Güneş, 2005: 94; Aksu, 2012: 375). Furniture, which possess social, cultural and economic properties, should have flexible functionality that could serve various occupant requirements and should be designed based on established standards (Harris and Dines, 1998: 112; Celbiş, 2001: 176; Molnar, 2015: 120; Kurdoğlu and Çelik, 2016: 194). The furniture elements should be compatible with the location, size and meaning of the space, and possess the flexibility to provide psychological comfort for the occupants, as well as reflecting the character of the environment (Yücel, 2006: 23; Bayraktar et al, 2008: 106). Instead of a standard application, furniture should be designed with a flexible and original approach based on the features and functions of the location (Şatıroğlu, 2016: 116; Düzenli et al., 2018: 131; Mumcu et al., 2017: 14). In order to construct quality spaces, the design approach should emphasize design elements such as size, form, color and texture and be flexible to respond to the habits, reactions, and instincts of the individual. Thus, the space could attain perceptibility and sustainable availability (Çınar and Çetindağ, 2009: 107). In the following section, the relationship between the concept of flexibility and furniture will be discussed.

Yildiz Journal Of ART And Design

Volume: 6, Issue: 1, 2019, pp 37- 50 Received Date: 17/05/2019 Accepted Date:30/06/2019

design, possible future users, their questions and outcomes. This approach is possible only if the design is flexible. In the current era, where everything develops faster, sustainable flexibility is the only solution for designers to capture the requirements of the time and construct sustainable solutions. Since flexibility is a sustainable and future-oriented concept in design, it is the designer's task to consider scenarios that could occur in the predictable future (Kızmaz and Cimşit Koş, 2015: 116-117). The concept of flexibility appears in various typologies in urban open spaces:  Surface flexibility  Functional flexibility  Occupancy flexibility, and  Experiencing diversity and transience Although the above-mentioned classification indicates that flexibility could be utilized with different methods and for various purposes, it is important to note that these typologies are used often in conjunction in design (Erbaş Gürler, 2016: 53). The preference of flexible approaches in design is due to the need to control various possible scenarios and to solve the problems before they occur. Flexibility in furniture design aims to prevent the termination of the use of a furniture after its control is delegated to the occupant, in contrast, allow its use to continue as long as it is occupied, and to extend this period as long as possible though flexible approaches. Since the users are not uniform, the furniture should also be flexible, but not uniform. The concept of flexibility is possible though approaches such as adaptation, modularity, mobility, change and transformation due to changing user types. The most important concept in establishing an accurate relationship between occupant requirements and the space, adaptation of the spatial organization to changing conditions, functions and techniques is flexibility. Flexibility aims the maximum adaptation of space and its elements-components in time to changes and developments, and effectively fulfilling changing demands, thus keeping the quality value at the highest level throughout the life of the space (İslamoğlu and Usta, 2016: 1-12; Senem and Arıdağ, 2016: 23). The main reason for the need for flexibility in design is to allow the occupants to control their environment based on their needs. The requirement for flexible design is based on user requirements. T. DÜZENLİ & E. M. ALPAK & A. ÇİĞDEM, FLEXIBLE DESIGN IN URBAN FURNITURE

Yildiz Journal Of ART And Design

Volume: 6, Issue: 1, 2019, pp 37- 50 Received Date: 17/05/2019 Accepted Date:30/06/2019

However, designers should consider the concept of flexibility as a user requirement and produce adequate solutions. Although the occupant requirements are the main reason for flexibility, the designers should take the flexibility as a user requirement and produce adequate solutions. Thus, the aim of the present study was to design flexible furniture that would fulfill various occupant requirements and to analyze flexible furniture design process.

2. Material And Method

The study material included flexible furniture element models designed by sophomore Reinforcement Design course students for different activities in KTU Landscape Architecture Department. Landscape architects create habitable spaces for occupants through environmental design based on occupant requirements and desires. Landscape architecture spatial design should entail ergonomic functional flexible and highly creative aestheticoriginal designs that would fulfill occupant requirements. Thus, the above-mentioned course aims to provide students with an understanding in developing creative and flexible furniture design at an adequate size, using adequate material and for adequate activities. In this context, the study was designed in 2 stages. 1st Stage: The students were expected to interpret the selected activity and to design flexible original furniture, creating a harmony between form and function in the open space. At this stage, models of flexible original furniture designed by the students for various activities were analyzed.

A. Research on the concept of flexibility, review of furniture examples in the literature B. Analysis of the selected activity and deciding on the adequate furniture C. Analysis of the furniture based on function and flexibility D. Development of flexible furniture proposals in adequade size and form

FINAL PRODUCT (MODEL) Figure 1. The Furniture Design course process T. DÜZENLİ & E. M. ALPAK & A. ÇİĞDEM, FLEXIBLE DESIGN IN URBAN FURNITURE

Yildiz Journal Of ART And Design

Volume: 6, Issue: 1, 2019, pp 37- 50 Received Date: 17/05/2019 Accepted Date:30/06/2019

The students were asked to interpret the selected activity and design flexible furniture in correct size and form that would create a harmony between form and function at the end of the course and in the first stage, selected furniture models were analyzed for flexibility. 2nd Stage: In this stage, a survey was conducted with 68 students who attended the course to determine their views on the concept of flexibility and its relationship with furniture design and t their learning level. The questionnaire inquired 

Their level in reflecting the concept of flexibility to furniture functionality. The

survey form was a 5-point Likert-type scale and scored as 1 (very little), 2 (little), 3 (moderate), 4 (good), and 5 (very good).

3. Findings And Discussion

In the findings section, 6 selected student furniture design models were analyzed based on flexibility and functionality and the process approach in design (Tables 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6). Table 1. Analysis of the design 1 Model 1

The student developed a flexible furniture that included three movable pieces. This furniture was conceptualized to move based on the suitability of the space and the spatial activity type. It has flexible functionality and allows various activities based on occupant needs. It was designed to allow activities such as studying, reading books or newspapers, playing games such as backgammon, etc., laying down, sunbathing, resting and climbing for children.

T. DÜZENLİ & E. M. ALPAK & A. ÇİĞDEM, FLEXIBLE DESIGN IN URBAN FURNITURE

Yildiz Journal Of ART And Design

Volume: 6, Issue: 1, 2019, pp 37- 50 Received Date: 17/05/2019 Accepted Date:30/06/2019

The student designed an integrated flexible furniture that included multidirectional movable pieces. This furniture was conceptualized to rotate based on the suitability of the space, occupant desire and the activity type. The components of the furniture are movable and flexible; thus, the furniture is multidirectional. It has more stable functionality; it was designed for sitting, resting and reading books.

The student designed an integrated flexible furniture that included rotating movable parts. This furniture was conceptualized to rotate based on the suitability of the space, occupant desire and the activity type. The components of the furniture are movable and flexible; thus, the furniture is multidirectional. It has more stable functionality; it was designed for sitting, laying down, chatting, resting and reading books.

T. DÜZENLİ & E. M. ALPAK & A. ÇİĞDEM, FLEXIBLE DESIGN IN URBAN FURNITURE

Yildiz Journal Of ART And Design

Volume: 6, Issue: 1, 2019, pp 37- 50 Received Date: 17/05/2019 Accepted Date:30/06/2019

The student designed an integrated furniture that included organic lines. This furniture is mainly flexible in functionality and allows various activities based on changing requirements. It was designed to allow activities such as to lay down, sunbathing, sitting, resting, skateboarding for young adults, and climbing/sliding for children. Furthermore, the cover allows shading.

The student designed a flexible furniture that included three movable parts. This furniture was conceptualized to move based on the suitability of the space and the activity type. It has flexible functionality and allows various activities based on changing requirements. It was designed to allow activities such as studying, reading books or newspapers, playing games such as backgammon, etc., laying down, sunbathing, resting and climbing for children.

T. DÜZENLİ & E. M. ALPAK & A. ÇİĞDEM, FLEXIBLE DESIGN IN URBAN FURNITURE

Yildiz Journal Of ART And Design

Volume: 6, Issue: 1, 2019, pp 37- 50 Received Date: 17/05/2019 Accepted Date:30/06/2019

The student designed a flexible furniture that included two parts; a desk and a chair. This furniture was conceptualized to move based on the suitability of the space and the activity type. It has flexible functionality and allows various activities based on changing requirements. It was designed to allow activities such as studying, reading books or newspapers, playing games such as backgammon, etc., eating and sitting.

At this stage, χ2 test was conducted with SPSS (v. 23.0) software to determine whether the responses were significant. The χ2 test findings demonstrated that all categories were statistically significant. 3.2.1.

The response frequencies for the question posed to determine the students’ learning level in the concept of flexibility are presented in Table 7. Table 7. The response frequencies for the question “What is your learning level about the concept of flexibility?” (Q1) Moderate Good Very Good Total

Based on the findings, students stated that they learned the concept of flexibility at a very good level (χ2=24,471a, 2df, p<0.01). It is very beneficial for designers to utilize the concept of flexibility in considering the future sustainable scenarios (Kızmaz and Cimşit Koş, 2015: 116-117) and the findings of this phase were also considered very beneficial in this respect. Because, the transfer of the concept of flexibility to the student demonstrated that T. DÜZENLİ & E. M. ALPAK & A. ÇİĞDEM, FLEXIBLE DESIGN IN URBAN FURNITURE

Yildiz Journal Of ART And Design

Volume: 6, Issue: 1, 2019, pp 37- 50 Received Date: 17/05/2019 Accepted Date:30/06/2019

they could create functional, flexible and sustainable designs when they would become practicing designers in the future. The response frequencies for the question posed to determine the students’ learning level in designing flexible furniture are presented in Table 8. Based on the findings, students stated that they learned designing flexible furniture at a good level (χ2=12,118b, 3df, p<0.01). As reported in the literature, it is quite important to design flexible furniture that fits the space (Güneş, 2005: 94; Aksu, 2012:375). Thus, the finding that the students learned to design flexible furniture was significant for the success of their future furniture designs, and hence open space designs. Table 8. The response frequencies for the question “What is your learning level in designing flexible furniture?” (Q2)

The response frequencies for the question posed to determine the student levels in reflecting the concept of flexibility in the furniture they designed are presented in Table 9. Table 9. The response frequencies for the question “What was your level in reflecting the concept of flexibility in furniture functionally?” (Q3)

Based on the findings, the students stated that they reflected the concept of flexibility in the furniture they designed functionally at a moderate level (χ2=15.647b, 3df, p<0.01). The furniture elements with social, cultural and economic properties should possess functions that would fulfill different user requirements and should be designed in compliance with the standards (Harris and Dines, 1998:130; Celbiş, 2001:176; Molnar, 2015:176). Since this is a hard to acquire skill that could only be learned by designing and acquiring experience, the

T. DÜZENLİ & E. M. ALPAK & A. ÇİĞDEM, FLEXIBLE DESIGN IN URBAN FURNITURE

Yildiz Journal Of ART And Design

Volume: 6, Issue: 1, 2019, pp 37- 50 Received Date: 17/05/2019 Accepted Date:30/06/2019

learning level in the course was moderate and it would improve as the students take higherlevel projects and as their experience levels increase. 3.2.2.

T-test was conducted to determine whether the responses were statistically significant. It was determined that the students learned the concept of flexibility at very high level, that is, they scored highest points in that area, they learned to design flexible furniture at a high level, in other words, they scored high points in that area, however they experienced difficulties when reflecting the functional flexibility concept to furniture, hence they scored moderate points (positive) in that area. The analyzes demonstrated that the differences between the responses were significant in each question (p <0.01) and the mean and standard deviation values for each question. T-test findings are presented in Table 10 and the mean values are listed in Figure 2. Table 10. Response Mean and Standard Deviation and t-test Values

95% Significance Interval Least Most 4,32 4,62 3,57 4,02 2,62 3,05

4. Conclusion And Recommendations

When urban open spaces are designed using highly adaptive furniture for activities that emerge and differentiate spontaneously with changes in the climate, adequate, beneficial, and user-friendly spaces are constructed. Thus, flexibility is a beneficial method in interaction

T. DÜZENLİ & E. M. ALPAK & A. ÇİĞDEM, FLEXIBLE DESIGN IN URBAN FURNITURE

Yildiz Journal Of ART And Design

Volume: 6, Issue: 1, 2019, pp 37- 50 Received Date: 17/05/2019 Accepted Date:30/06/2019

with the landscape. Thanks to furniture that could be designed uniquely in each case, the communications between the occupants and the open space and occupant belongingness for the space increase (Erbaş Gürler, 2016: 54). Thus, the furniture models designed in the furniture design course by KTU Landscape Architecture Department students were analyzed to determine design flexibility. The study findings demonstrated that the furniture designed by the students were conceived as movable and versatile furniture based on availability of the space and activity type, and in certain cases they included various pieces, and they were modular and integral in others. In terms of function, it was determined that the students designed flexible furniture that allowed various activities based on changing user needs. In the present study, the benefits of the furniture design course, which aims the students to construct flexible furniture designs, were also demonstrated. Thus, 

The students learned the concept of flexibility at a very good level,

The students could design flexible furniture at a good level, and

The students experienced difficulties in reflecting the concept of flexibility to

the furniture functionally in the course. In conclusion, the designers should aim to design open-ended landscapes that are accessible by the occupants and suitable for their requirements. Landscape designed to fulfill these needs could connect with the user and possess multiple functions and meanings. Landscape design needs to be irregular rather than guiding (Johnson, 1997: 312). This is possible with flexible design. The present study findings would provide insight for the design of future furniture in urban open spaces.

T. DÜZENLİ & E. M. ALPAK & A. ÇİĞDEM, FLEXIBLE DESIGN IN URBAN FURNITURE

Yildiz Journal Of ART And Design

Volume: 6, Issue: 1, 2019, pp 37- 50 Received Date: 17/05/2019 Accepted Date:30/06/2019

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