In China, many families living in small apartments are facing the problem of insufficient living space, especially since the implementation of the two-child policy. This project is based on this problem, targeting families in northern China to provide them with possibilities for small apartment living with their two children. At the same time, a malleable design was made for this apartment, that is a design that accommodates changes in the patterns of family life over time. This study explores how to increase the capacity of an existing apartment to meet the needs of Chinese family. Through the analysis of the life phase of each of the family members, the final result is a phased design of two modes applicable to the family. The two phases are: 1) the family model before the second child, 2) the family model after the second child. The final design uses movable walls, multi-functional furniture and increased storage space, satisfying the family's changing needs and offering a sense of spaciousness in a relatively small existing apartment.

Ge Lin. Re-designing a Small Apartment for Two-child Families in Changchun, China. Frontiers in Art Research (2021) Vol. 3, Issue 5: 50-67. https://doi.org/10.25236/FAR.2021.030511.

[1] Bian, K. (2010). Study on Space-saving Furniture Structure. Packaging Engineering. 31(24), 23-25. https://doi.org/10.19554/j.cnki.1001-3563.2010.24.007

[2] Blake, J. (1981). The only child in America: Prejudice versus performance. Population and Development Review, 7(1), 43-54. https://doi.org/10.2307/1972763

[3] Brooker, G., & Stone, S. (2010). What is interior design?. RotoVision.

[4] Collins, J. (2009). ‘Small children dictate home plan’: Uncovering the influence of childrearing ideals on the design of the modern post-war house. Australian Historical Studies, 40(2), 197-214. https://doi.org/10.1080/10314610902849294

[5] Feng, M. G. (2008). Humanized interior space design. Chinese and Overseas Architecture, (12), 131-133. http://dx.doi.org/ 10.3969/j.issn.1008-0422.2008.12.034

[6] Gao, Y. N. (2017). Shinei huanjing yanse dui ertong xinli yingxiang [The influence of indoor environment colour on children's psychology]. Fashion Colour, (11), 66-70. http://dx.doi.org/ 10.3969/j.issn.1005-555X.2017.11.016

[7] Hao, H. & Guan, X. (2017). Research of the indoor space changes based on the "two-child policy". Furniture & Interior Design. 2017(5), 116-117. https://doi.org/10.16771/j.cn43-1247/ts.2017.05.024

[8] Hart, C. (2018). Doing a literature review: Releasing the research imagination. Sage.

[9] Jiang, Y.,& Wang, Q. (2010). Study on 4-6 year-old children's color preferences in the interior environment. Journal of Hunan First Normal University, 10(3), 145-147. http://dx.doi.org/ 10.3969/j.issn.1674-831X.2010.03.044

[9] Li, D., Song, K., Zhang, P.,& Ye. Q. (2014). Reflections on the residential scales in Chinese cities – A study of standards for the compact living space. Architectural Journal, (S2), 82-85.

[10] Liu, S. Y., Ge, L. Z., & Zhu, Y. (2004). A research of color preference of children aged 4 to 6. Journal of Psychological Science, 27(3), 669-670. http://dx.doi.org/10.16719/j.cnki.1671-6981.2004.03.038

[11] Liu, X. Y. (2011). Nanbeifang jianzhu chayi jiqi yiji xingshi [The difference of buildings between north and south and their habitable forms]. Journal of Modern Property Management, 10(7), 200-201. http://dx.doi.org/10.16141/j.cnki.xdwyxjs.2011.07.096

[12] Meerwein, G., Rodeck, B., & Mahnke, F. H. (2007). Color-communication in architectural space. Walter de Gruyter.

[13] Mulder, S., & Yaar, Z. (2006). The user is always right: A practical guide to creating and using personas for the web. New Riders.

[14] National People's Congress. (1978). Constitution of the People's Republic of China.. China.

[15] Nelson, A. (2018). Small is Necessary. Pluto Press.

[16] Ning, J.Z. (2020). [The Director of the National Bureau of Statistics answers reporters' questions on the operation of the national economy in 2019]. National Bureau of Statistics. http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/sjjd/202001/t20200117_1723470.html

[16] Pitts, A., & Gao, Y. (2014). Design of dwellings and interior family space in China: Understanding the history of change and opportunities for improved sustainability practices. Buildings, 4(4), 823-848. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings4040823

[17] Read, M. A., & Upington, D. (2009). Young children’s color preferences in the interior environment. Early Childhood Education Journal, 36(6), 491-496. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-009-0311-6

[18] Shi, Y. (2015). Ertong woshi kongjian secai sheji yanjiu [Research on colour design of children's bedroom space]. Yalujiang, (5), 1922.

[19] Sima, L. (2015). A study on small apartment design in China: Evaluation on the impressions of and preferences for the floor plans. Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, 14(2), 307-314. https://doi.org/10.3130/jaabe.14.307

[20] Song, P. (2018). Ertong woshi kongjian de secai sheji [The colour design of children bedroom space]. Yihai, (12), 90-91. http://dx.doi.org/ 10.3969/j.issn.1673-1611.2018.12.034

[21] Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress. (2015). Law of the People's Republic of China on population and family planning (2015 Amendment). [White paper]. China.

[22] Studio, L. X. (2008). Study on space-saving of middle/small apartment building in big-medium cities in China [J]. Housing Science, 8, 6-11. http://dx.doi.org/ 10.3969/j.issn.1002-0454.2008.08.002

pp45-50.

[23] Tian, L., Yan, Y., Wu, Y., & Shao, L. (2020). Breaking the land monopoly: Can collective land reform alleviate the housing shortage in China's mega-cities?. Cities, 106, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2020.102878

[24] Xinchou. (2019) Changchun's 2019 average salary. https://www.xinchou.com/AverageWage/220100/2019

[25] Yang, X. L. (2019). 2018 Quanguo goufangzhe huaxiang [2018 National Portrait of Home Buyers]. 36 Kr. https://www.36kr.com/p/1723185561601

[26] Zhang, Q., Liu, W. J. (2011). Xiaomianji zhuzhai shinei kongjian sheji moshi tanxi [Analysis of interior Space Design Pattern of small area Residence]. Architectural Journal, (8), 84-87. http://dx.doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.0529-1399.2011.08.024

[27]Z hang, T. T. (2018). Chengshi zhuzhai huxing sheji fazhan qushi fenxi [Analysis on the development trend of urban housing type design]. Ju She, (33), 93-94.

[28] Zhang, Y., & Goza, F. W. (2006). Who will care for the elderly in China?: A review of the problems caused by China's one-child policy and their potential solutions. Journal of Aging Studies, 20(2), 151-164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2005.07.002