Unit 1 Housing—Human Factors and Infl uences
6
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Housing, good or poor, has a deep and lasting
effect on all people. Winston Churchill once said,
“We shape our buildings, and then they shape us.”
This is especially true of the buildings in which
people live. First people fi nd shelter to satisfy their
needs, and then this shelter affects the way they feel
and behave. Housing or interior design professionals
have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to impact
housing through meeting the needs of all humans.
As you read about housing and human needs, think
about ways you can start meeting the housing needs
of others now.
People and Their Housing
Housing, as this text uses the word, means
any dwelling that provides shelter. It refers to
what is within and near the shelter, such as
furnishings, neighborhood, and community.
A house is any building that serves as living
quarters for one or more families. In contrast, a
home is any place a person lives. The relationship
between people and their housing will be the focus
throughout this text.
Housing is the near environment, a small
and distinct part of the total environment in which
people live. Housing includes a dwelling place, the
furnishings in the space, the neighborhood, and
the immediate community. The total environment
includes all a person’s interactions with people and
buildings as well as different geographical areas
outside the dwelling place, neighborhood, and local
community. Although housing is just one part of an
individual’s total environment, it is a very important
part (Figure 1.1). It has great impact on how a
person lives and develops as an individual.
Whether living alone or with others, people
interact with their housing. Housing affects people’s
actions, and in turn, their actions affect their
housing. For instance, if an individual lives in a
small apartment, he or she will not easily host large
parties because there will not be enough room.
The neighbors might complain about the noise
and lack of accessible parking near the building. If
an individual wants to entertain large numbers of
guests, choosing to live in a large house that is set
apart from other houses may be the best option.
It is also possible to view interaction with
housing on a smaller scale. Suppose a person
chooses to decorate a room in his or her house
with many fragile, expensive accessories. Although
this gives a feeling of formality and elegance, this
room would not be the place to exercise or dance.
If physical fi tness is important to an individual’s
lifestyle, furnishing the room differently—or
adapting the housing to match a way of life—is likely
the best option.
Bank
Government
offices
Place of
employment
(if not at home)
Shopping
mall
Total Environment
Near environment
• Home
• Yard
• Neighborhood
Place of
worship
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 1.1 The near environment is part of the total environment.