Özet:

In landscape architecture discipline, the systematic use of furniture elements designed as spatial components is as important as creating a space. Furniture with correct design improves the quality of life and provides comfort by fulfilling occupant requirements. Thus, the designed furniture elements should be compatible with the spatial identity and occupant requirements. At this stage, the concept of flexibility becomes a factor. The occupants, who constantly change and develop physically and psychologically, desire to alter their environment based on the transformations they experienced. This could be made possible via flexible design. The aim of the present study was to analyze flexible design approach in furniture designed for urban open spaces. The study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, flexible furniture models developed in Furniture Design Course in KTU Landscape Architecture Department were analyzed based on flexibility and functionality, while in the second phase, a survey was conducted with 68 students to determine their levels in learning the concept of flexibility with respect to furniture. In the first stage, it was determined that the furniture designed by the students were movable based on the space and the type of activities conducted in that space, and these designs were movable in certain cases, fragmented, modular or integral in others. In the second stage, the survey findings demonstrated that the students’ learning level was very high in the concept of flexibility, they could design flexible furniture at a good level, however they experienced problems in reflecting the concept of flexibility to designs functionally. It was considered that this problem could be solved with experience. T-test was conducted to determine whether the survey question responses were statistically significant. It was determined that the students learned the concept of flexibility at very high level, that is, they scored the highest points in this area, they learned to design flexible furniture at a high level, in other words, they scored high points in this area, however they experienced difficulties when reflecting functional flexibility concept to the furniture they designed, hence they scored moderate points (positive). In conclusion, the designer’s objectives should include creating open-ended landscapes that are accessible by occupants and can fulfill their needs. Landscape designed to fulfill these needs could connect with the occupant and possess multiple functions and meanings. The present study findings would shed light on flexible urban open space furniture design and could promote the design of such products.

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