Login
       
  • The impact of housing design and quality on wellbeing: Lived experiences of the home during COVID-19 in London

Alonso, Lucia ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6212-041X and Jacoby, Sam ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9133-5177, 2022, Journal Article, The impact of housing design and quality on wellbeing: Lived experiences of the home during COVID-19 in London Cities & Health, 7 (4). pp. 1-13. ISSN 2374-8842

Abstract or Description:

COVID-19 has heightened awareness of how housing design and quality can dramatically impact the mental and physical wellbeing of an individual. Adding to existing housing problems, long-term demographic changes, and failures in building maintenance as well as safety and housing design standards, the pandemic has exacerbated existing housing inequalities. Through 50 in-depth interviews with London residents conducted in early 2021, the paper studies how experiences of changing home uses and perception of the quality and design of domestic space affected the wellbeing of participants during the pandemic. The paper focuses on design-related housing aspects such as environmental comfort, the agency to make changes to a home, notions of privacy and security, and a lack of space. This reveals how changes in domestic use and future housing preferences might have a long-term impact on dwelling design. The wide-ranging lived experiences and subjective perceptions of the home call for a more inclusive approach to housing and social policies that consider the value of architectural design. Based on the findings and discussion, the paper concludes with housing design policy recommendations that should be taken into account to improve future housing quality and design.

Official URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23748...
Subjects: Architecture > K100 Architecture > K120 Interior Architecture
Architecture > K400 Planning (Urban > K450 Housing
Other > Social studies > L900 Others in Social studies > L990 Social studies not elsewhere classified
School or Centre: School of Architecture
Funders: Prosit Philosophiae Foundation
Identification Number or DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23748834.2022.2103391
Uncontrolled Keywords: Housing design; wellbeing; COVID; lived experience; homeworking; homes; qualitative study
Date Deposited: 12 Aug 2022 10:21
Last Modified: 08 Sep 2023 10:45
URI: https://researchonline.rca.ac.uk/id/eprint/5095
Edit Item (login required) Edit Item (login required)