A Study On Japanese Urban Housing Design For Three-generation Families

Alongside a severe aging population and a declining birthrate, the Japanese dwelling structure is transforming. Society has somewhat altered living conditions making ‘Urban Housing Design for Three-Generation Families’ the most common. In urban areas, two nuclear families live under the same roof. In recent years, with an increase in Japanese demand for home care, the sharing of household chores and a willingness to save, this revolutionised housing type is becoming more evident but not without problems. Two families living together will no doubt create its own problems. Therein, some Japanese residential developers and architects have targeted the market and through heavy research, to some extent, have increased and improved such housing requirements. Living standards have also improved proportionally.However, past experiments have not yielded enough reliable results leaving theory alone insufficient.In order to build a stronger theoretical framework for the ‘Urban Housing Design for Three Generation Families’, this thesis will analyse both design related social aspects and the current design framework in Japan, summarise previous practice and shed light on the relevant departments, disciplines and workers involved.Firstly, this thesis provides a detailed analysis of the impact of social factors on the Japanese ‘Urban Housing Design for Three Generation Families’. Social factors are split into policy, economic and cultural factors. In this process, this thesis uses several statistical data of various professional fields for reference.Secondly, this thesis initially looks towards the status quo of the Japanese ‘Urban Housing Design for Three Generation Families’, before analysing the problems within and providing corrective measures. In order to better understand the status quo, the author conducts an online poll to the customers of Japanese residential construction company, Asahi Kasei Homes Corporation. This thesis also produces case studies based on current three-generation family developments gathering statistics from both occupants and designers before summarising his own thoughts.Finally, this thesis explores the residential design experience using the theory and statistics derived in the previous section together with the authors’ own relevant practical experience in zoning design and variable design. Chapter four will then summarise several possible design strategies and specific methodologies aimed at providing an effective solution to the housing needs. At last, this thesis notes a discrepancy between current housing demand and design and erection supply and therein provides a prediction for the future of the ‘Urban Housing Design for Three Generation Families’ and the avenues for further research.