AR134-1 / E01 Final Research Paper

Proponent Guinid, Fatima Amor V. | 2019121739

Proposal Reference: The topic reference is from a thesis entitled “Hope is Scarce:
Designing an Orphanage to Create a Sense of Belonging” by
Mehmet Arif Ozelgul.
https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/barch_etd/189

Issue: Psychological effect of orphanage building design on its residents

Proposed Topic: Redeveloping Filipino Orphanages: Introducing New Space Planning

Strategies that Promote Sense of Belongingness and Socialization
among Orphans

Background: A child who is not raised by their mother nor father from birth is
forced to spend their formative years in environments that they
cannot identify as "home." The best environment for a child's growth
is not one in which they must live apart from their parents (Ozelgul,
2022) Out of the country's total population of approximately 109
million, the Philippines Orphanage Foundation estimates that there
are at least two million orphaned children. In addition, from 2014 to
2018, there were only 139 Filipino orphans who were adopted
annually on average. Orphans are susceptible to harmful influences
that might prevent them from pursuing happiness and self-
satisfaction in life (Moslow, 1943). With this reason, the study will
determine the effectivity of the building design of an orphanage in the
Philippines and how it affects the psychological growth of the
residents. Creating a sense of place attached to one’s home and
community has its certain advantages. It has been associated with
numerous positive health and cultural benefits. (Behzadi, et.al)

Approach/Proposed A. Area of Study and Participants

Method: The study will focus on one orphanage in the Philippines, preferably
in Metro Manila. For qualitative research method, the researcher will
interview three to five residents in the orphanage. While ten to twenty
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orphans will be the participants for quantitative method. The age

range of the participants will depend on the available residents in the
orphanage.

B. Approach
The study will utilize both qualitative and quantitative data gathering.
Data collection will consist of interviews with orphans to assess the
effectiveness of the current building they are residing in and how it
affects them psychologically. The researcher will interview three –
five orphans in the orphanage. The reason for this is the set of
questions for the interview will be subjective and open-ended
depending on the respondent. Having a small group will allow the
researcher to focus on understanding each interview. Additionally,
these interviews will serve as a tool to determine the modern design
and space planning strategies for the orphanage. Qualitative
research will allow the researcher to conduct an in-depth
understanding of the study.

Quantitative data gathering will also be utilized through a set of

questionnaires with objective answers. This questionnaire will focus
on design related questions for orphans. Additionally, this will
contribute to producing new and improved design and space
planning strategies that promote a sense of belongingness and
socialization among orphans.

Research Goal and The goal of the study is to determine the effectivity of the building
Research Questions design of an orphanage in the Philippines to the psychological
growth of the children. After determining, the data and results
gathered will be used by the researcher in introducing new planning
strategies of an orphanage to promote sociability and sense of
belongingness among the residents. Thus, it will answer the following
questions:

1. What is the effectiveness of the current orphanage design and

space planning?

2. How does this affect the psychological growth of the children

AR134-1 / E01 Final Research Paper

residing in the orphanage in terms of sociability and sense of

belongingness?

3. What are the new and improved design and space planning
strategies to be introduced on the orphanage building?

Research This study will benefit the fields of architecture and interior design,
Significance: and psychological development of child in relation to physical design.
The study will contribute to introducing new and improved design and
planning strategies for orphanages in the Philippines.

1. Target Users

The main purpose of the research is to benefit the target

users which are orphans. The result of the study should be
able to contribute to the developing design strategies that
positively affect the psychological growth of the target users.

2. Architecture and Interior Design

This study may contribute to developing a built environment

that creates a connection between the children and the
natural environment which is vital for the well-being and
health of the residents.

Designers may use this study for reference and additional

knowledge in developing planning and design strategies
specifically for orphanages in the Philippines.

3. Child development through physical design

This study will be also helpful for psychologist as the result

the of study may help them further understand psychological
child development through physical design that positively
affects the psychological growth of the orphans such as
feeling sense of belonginess, socialization, and self-
development.
AR134-1 / E01 Final Research Paper

Data Gathering The researcher will utilize both qualitative and quantitative research
methods through interviews and yes or no questionnaires.
Interview questions for the orphans:
1. Please state your name, age, and gender.

2. Since what age did you become an orphan? How long have
you been staying in the orphanage?

3. Can you please tell us what your day is like inside the
orphanage? What are the activities you have?

4. Can you please describe your experience residing in the

orphanage in terms of the design of the building?

5. How is your experience using sleeping quarters, bathrooms,

dining rooms, and communal areas?

6. Do you think what you have right now is enough? If not, what
do you think should be added, removed, and improved?

7. What are the activities you wish you could do inside the
orphanage?

8. What is your ideal orphanage like?

Interview questions for orphanage manager/client:

1. Please state your name, age, and occupation.

2. How long have you been working in the orphanage?

3. What are the common issues orphans face in the facility?

4. What is your ideal orphanage like?

5. What is your opinion on interior spaces of the orphanage

being flexible for activities?

6. What activities do you think should be included in the facility?

How does that affect the development of the orphans?

7. Are there any unique activities that you have in mind the
orphans should focus on?

8. Do you think it is important to incorporate colors pertaining to

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a gender?

9. In what ways do you think we can incorporate culture in the

facility?

10. Do you think nature plays a significant role in a child’s

development? Why or why not?

Rating Questionnaires for head of the orphanage:

1- Strongly Disagree 2- Disagree 3- Neither nor Agree 4-
Agree 5- Strongly Agree

1. Orphans should be able to interact with nature.

2. Children use their imagination more when playing outside

than indoors.

3. The interior design of the building affects the emotional state

of the children.

4. Interaction with other kids at an early stage is vital in a child’s

development.

5. Attending day care at an early age helps in improving a

child’s development.

6. Displaying artwork gives a child a sense of pride.

7. Children should be exposed to their environment at an early

age.

8. The natural environment plays a significant role in a child’s

development.
AR134-1 / E01 Final Research Paper

References:
References
Anton, C. E., & Lawrence, C. (2014). Home is where the heart is: The effect
of place of residence on place attachment and community
participation. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2014.10.007

Baclig, C. (2022, February 17). INQUIRER.net. Retrieved from Orphan

crisis in PH: ‘A situation worth crying over":
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1556177/orphan-crisis-in-ph-a-
situation-worth-crying-over

Behzadi, F., Yazdanfar, S., Khosrowabadi, R., & Rad, P. (n.d.). Effect of
orphanage interior design on the sense of place attachment .

Moslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. In Psychological

Review, (Vol. 50, pp. 370-396). Retrieved from
http://psychnet.apa.org

Ozelgul, M. (2022). Hope is Scarce: Designing an Orphanage to Create a

Sense of Belonging.