Research Methodology

There are several method in doing research, there are case study, survey, interview and observation. Each method collects different kinds of info, different ways to present and analyze the info.
But there is the same purpose form all kinds of research method, those research are to support each other, correct each other, until in the end I can collect the most accurate data.

In one of class activities, each group discussed about one research methodology. We discussed about what kind info that we collect from the research, how to present the info in our report and also how we analyze the info.

Then we share our discussion to the whole class. These are pictures of discussion paper from other groups.

Canteen is forgotten

Canteen as a place where people enjoy their meal and socialize should be a comfortable place. People can recharge their energy there before they start or continue their activities. But sadly, canteen is usually not a priority in space managing of a building, despite the importance of it. There are too many divisions of space in an area until canteen is mostly forgotten and only has the left-over space of the area.  

Therefore, in the process of building construction, good management is important in, such as:

•    Minimizing unnecessary construction and maintenance costs. 
•    Minimizing energy and other operating costs that may result
     from heating and cooling poorly used space. 
•    Ensuring an equitable distribution of available resources to all
     units and activities at an installation.

Through good management, funding for facilities can be minimized and the money saved can be applied to other needs. Space management is an important part of facilities management. It is a process of projecting space requirements, identifying deficiencies, and allocating available space to users in an equitable way, monitoring use, assisting users with space usage problems, and resolving space problems. Like facilities management, space management not only is concerned with the amounts of space, but must address the quality of space as well. 

 Building construction

Too little space, too many people

As a small island state, Singapore not only has to host its businesses and industries, but also all its other needs – utilities, homes, and schools– within some 710 sq km of land. As it grows as a city, there will inevitably be greater demands on the limited land resources. At the same time, Singapore has to continue to adopt an integrated, long- term approach to land use and infrastructure planning. 

 Limited land resources in Singapore

Beside the limited land resources in Singapore, the number of people is also increasing every day. As mentioned before, Singapore is a small island. The whole area is only 274.1 sq miles (710 km²) which is considered small compared to other islands. By the end of June 2012, the island's population stood at 5.31 million. It is the second densest sovereign state in the world, after Monaco. Singapore is a multiracial and multicultural country with a majority population of Chinese (74.2% of the resident population), with substantial Malay (13.2%) and Indian minorities (9.2%). The Malays are recognized as the indigenous community although most are the descendants of post-1945 immigrants from Indonesia and Malaysia. According to World Bank, World Development Indicator, number of population of Singapore is increasing every year. 

 Crowded street in Singapore

Singapore Population Growth Graphic  

According to  the facts above, it can be said that limited space and the increase of number of people are some of the causes of the problem 'Canteen too small'. For example, a canteen was big enough at first but then became too small because of the increasing number of people. Or a too small canteen want to be expanded but there is no more free space to use.

Source:

Wikipedia. Demographic of Singapore. Created 24 Mar. 2014. Accessed 26 Mar. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Singapore>