• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.13-21
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to analyze the development and characteristics of movable-housing planning concept. A document research method was used to analyze and classified the development of the movable-housing concept of 20th century. Through this study, the following conclusions have been reached; First, the origin of the movable-housing is from the prehistoric and traditional portable buildings, also due to the emergence of nomadic lifestyle using car traveling and mobile home in the 1920's. Second, the development of the movable-housing in 20th century was classified as follows; (1) In order to obtain the productivity and efficiency drawing from the industrialized-housing in the early of 1900s, movable furniture and flexibility was proposed. (2) American mobile home in 1920's, influenced by the development of car industry, was the most successful example of a factory-built building to be found in the world. (3) Dymaxion house and dome by R.B.Fuller, an aggregation of high-tech mechanical equipment, had a great impact on the development the concept of 'mobility' and influenced Archigram & Metabolist's movable capsule ideas in 1960's. (4) The lightweight materials such as plastic, duralumin and pneumatic structure were adopted for movable-housing in 1960's. Through this research, It is discovered that the stage of social development has close links with the developing aspects of movable-housing concepts. This study shows that the combination of three planning concepts such as flexible housing, mobile-housing and capsule will be more ideal in movable-housing planning rather than relying on just one type.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.429-434
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• 2023

Kitchen cabinets are essential furniture for storing the kitchen tools, but their high installed location makes it difficult for users to access the upper of the cabinets. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a new type of kitchen cabinet that allows users to easily take out or store items by adding new height adjustment features while maintaining the function of the existing cabinet. For convenience and safety, an appropriate complex link mechanism is designed so that the selected floor, not the entire cabinet, can come down to a desired height with one operation. Moreover, the optimal descent path is set to prevent the floor tilting or interfloor interference during descent, and appropriate link shapes, lengths, and joint types are selected to implement it. FEA analysis is performed to ensure that the stretched complex linkage can support the load of the stored items and the feasibility of the height adjustable kitchen cabinet is verified through fabrication.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.65-72
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• 2007

What is the meaning of home to older people? How much is home significant for older people? How do they express self-identity through decorating their own homes? These are the new subjects that scholars in the West are involved in lately in terms of micro-perspective (George, 1998; Kellett, Gilroy & Jason, 2005; Gilroy & Kellett, 2006). It is evident that home has more significant meaning to older people than other age groups, since the older are more likely to spend greater time within the home through lower income, lessening mobility or loss of companions (Gilroy, 2005). Also the older tend to cling to their homes and attach to possessions than the younger. Older people's possessions are the things that memories of their lives were absorbed. Therefore, possession display can role as a mean of showing their past lives and memories. Gilroy and her colleagues (2005, 2006) found that there was a certain pattern of possession display in English older people's households, and that older people would like to express self-identity through decorating their own homes with their precious possessions. Then, isn't it interesting to find out if there is any pattern of possession display or decoration items in Korean older people's households as well? Thus, the aim of this study is to describe pattern of possession display as a mean of expressing self-identity in Korean older people's households. Interview with older people was used to find out the way and reason of display possessions. Observation method including taking photos and hand-drawings was also added in order to demonstrate detail condition of display items in the house. Possessions display and furniture arrangement in the living room and bedroom were investigated to find out a certain pattern of display and meaning. Research objects were healthy older people aged over 60, who are living independently from their adult children, and who can manage housekeeping by themselves. 32 households were investigated in the area of Seoul, Kyunggi, Chungchungnam, and Kangwon provinces. The findings demonstrate that most precious possession for Korean older people is photo of themselves; especially one taken in their younger age. The reason of it is because the photo reminds them of their heydays when they were vital. Photo of the most beloved one is displayed more frequently in the bedroom than in the living room indicating consistence with English case. As symmetrical display pattern was dominant in case of English older people's households, no dominant display pattern is found in Korean case. Korean older people also cling to their homes and possessions and want to keep their dwelling space as large as what they use now. It is notable that even after they become older and frail, they want sufficient space to display possessions as a mean of self-identity expression. Attachment to possessions and decoration can give older people significant meaning of identity, and it is the reason why architects or interior designers have to meet older people's needs. It needs consideration that residents are allowed to bring their old furniture and precious possessions when they move in elderly housing unit in order to minimize environmental shock, as well as feeling at home. This subject could suggest a clue to designers or architects who have to meet residents' needs in space design of elderly housing or facilities in the future. Psychological well-being of older people can be met by making them feel at home wherever they live. They need space where they can express their own identity and personality even in case when they have to live in a limited small space like elderly housing unit or nursing home.