Sustainable Furniture For Small Dwellings in Mexico

This thesis project addresses a furniture design problem related to limited space in small housing units in Mexico. The study analyzes the sociocultural furniture needs for the living spaces of Mexicans with small dwellings and offers a sustainable design solution in the furniture sector. The main hypothesis for this project is this: The use of the dining room for family gatherings is essential to sustaining Mexican culture, and the functionality of the dining room for this purpose is threatened by new housing that provides a very small area for these activities. This research included surveys and interviews of Mexicans living in small homes. A careful analysis was conducted of the various activities normally performed in their dining rooms. Throughout the process, the hypothesis was validated by a number of findings. These results indicate that (a) the number of furniture users varies on average from four people on weekdays to eight people on weekends; (b) most inhabitants have a strong preference for long-lasting furniture that reflects the cultural values of urban Mexican cities; and (c) there might be a design solution that supports and sustains Mexican culture. There is a lack of available furniture in the Mexican market that meets these needs while fitting into small dwellings. The seating system presented here is a design solution to the problem of flexibility in using the dining room in small Mexican homes. The seating system addresses both environmental and cultural sustainability. This new design also embraces the Mexican preference for long-lasting furniture that can be handed down to future generations.