Housing is a Universal
Need
Interior Design I
Chapter 1.1 Notes
Learning Targets
 I can define housing and briefly describe how it
has evolved.
 I can analyze the basic physical and
psychological needs that housing satisfies.
 I can compare and contrast housing needs
among people of different ages and life stages.
 I can assess the importance of building homes
that follow the concept of universal design.
Vocabulary
 Adaptable Design
 Archaeologist
 Barrier-Free Design
 Housing
 Lifestyles
 Nomads
 Physical Needs
 Psychological Needs
 Universal Design
HOME
What comes to mind?
What is the purpose?
The Development of Housing
 Natural Shelters- Before tools, people relied on
landscape for protection and shelter.
 Portable Shelters- Hunters and gatherers had to
move frequently to be near new sources of food.
Their shelters had to be taken apart, moved and
reassembled at the next location.
 Permanent Shelters- With the development of
farming, people could stay in one place to plant
and harvest their crops and tend to their herds.
Is the image of early humans as “cave men” accurate?
--Natural Shelters
• Early humans often lived in caves
• Improved dwellings with primitive
doors
• Made ladders to reach caves in cliffs
• Dug elaborate pits with sturdy roofs
• Fireplaces for cooking
• Used mounds covered with skins for
beds
What prompted the need for portable shelters?
--Portable Shelters
People survived by hunting, fishing,
gathering wild fruit.
Those who traveled searching for
food needed movable housing.
Today…
Bedouins in North African Sahara
Nomads of Kenya
Turkish and Mongolian shepherds
What is historically significant about granaries?
--Permanent Shelters
Agriculture methods
improved…needed a place to store
and preserve food
Shelters for possessions
Homes were built using the same
materials from the area…houses
were the SAME!
Communities…
Established as more and more people built
permanent homes.
As communities were formed, distinctions
in housing developed.
As economic classes developed…
Wealthier classes—lived in two
story homes in center of city
Middle class—one story homes
Poorest people—lived in mud huts
in countryside
Wealthy people…
Wanted to protect themselves &
possessions
Chose easily defended sites
Cliffs
Mountainsides
Waterways
Used sturdy construction
Thick stone walls
Battlements
moats
Comfortable Shelters?
In earlier times, even the homes of
the rich were not especially
comfortable.
In Medieval castles…
Cold wind blew through the rooms
and passageways
Stone floors were cold
Light came dimly through narrow
window fitted with small bits of thick
glass
1300’s=Comfy! 
 Due to TECHNOLOGY, many homes were
brighter, better ventilated and more sanitary.
 The growth of a prosperous middle class during
the Renaissance also influenced people’s
expectations of housing.
 People began to use their homes for (increase
in leisure time):
Relaxation
Entertainment/ Social Activity
Privacy
What Is The Family Life Cycle?
Throughout the years families
experience many changes
that affect the family as a
whole. The family life cycle is
a model that was created to
show the five different stages
of the cycle. While it is very
accurate in most cases, all
families are different and the
model can’t reflect ALL
variations, but it does give a
general picture of how
families must adapt to
changing situations and
priorities.
Stage One:
Beginning
Beginning Stage:
Traditionally, the family
life cycle begins when
two people marry.
Priorities at this stage
include building a
relationship, working
out respective roles,
and setting goals for
the future.
Stage Two:
Parenting
Parenting Stage:
When the couple
become parents, their
priorities focus on
raising children. As
they devote time and
effort to caring for
children, they have
less time for activities
as a couple.
Stage Three:
Launching
Launching Stage:
This time of transition
occurs as the children
begin to leave home
and become
independent. They
must adjust to new
responsibilities, just
as their parents must
learn to relate to them
as adults.
Stage Four:
Middle-Age
Middle-Age Stage:
After children leave
home, parents have
more time to focus on
being a couple again.
The may reassess
their careers, take up
new hobbies, and
become more involved
in community activities.
Preparing for
retirement becomes a
more immediate
concern.
Stage Five:
Retirement
Retirement Stage:
Retirement gives more
time for leisure
activities. A couple
may move to a smaller
home or to a
retirement community.
In this stage, aging
related issues such as
health and
independence are
more likely to be major
concerns.
Variations
Just like the variations with types of families,
there are always exceptions to every rule. For
instance:
 Some people marry and never have children.
 Other people become parents later in life
when most are retiring.
 Still in other families, the parenting and
launching stages may be occurring at the
same time.
 Some people retire and continue to work parttime, and/or become substitute parents to
their grandchildren.