1인가구 라이프스타일 기반 스마트홈 플랫폼 연구

Abstract

(Background and Purpose) This study aims to propose a new residential environment model that addresses the growing sense of isolation, loneliness, and emotional anxiety among single-person households, which have been significantly intensified by the prolonged social distancing and the shift toward non-face-to-face lifestyles following the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to multi-person households, single-person households experience greater psychological vulnerability and emotional deprivation, emphasizing a strong need for emotional stability, social engagement, and mental well-being rather than mere technological convenience. Therefore, this study explores the design direction of a convergent smart space that integrates the physical smart home environment with a digital cultural platform, creating a hybrid residential model where users can achieve comfort, safety, and social connectedness simultaneously. (Method) Through literature review and statistical data analysis, this study identified the residential, psychological, and behavioral characteristics of single-person households in the context of post-pandemic urban life. Stakeholder analysis, in-depth interviews, and indirect observations were conducted to derive users’ real needs, lifestyle patterns, and spatial expectations. Based on qualitative data analysis, the study proposed key spatial and service components that can promote emotional communication, cultural participation, and social interaction beyond the functional dimension of conventional smart homes. (Results) The findings reveal that single-person households experience multiple issues related to safety, health, isolation, and anxiety, and that technology-oriented smart homes alone cannot sufficiently address emotional deprivation or psychological detachment. Many interview participants expressed a strong need for “emotional bonding,” “mutual interaction,” and “shared cultural experiences,” while indirect observations confirmed the intensifying sense of social detachment and mental fatigue caused by remote work and reduced outdoor activities. In response, this study highlights the necessity of integrating digital cultural platforms with smart homes to create immersive virtual interaction spaces where individuals can maintain social networks, participate in communal activities, and cultivate a sense of belonging within their living environment. (Conclusions) The proposed smart home platform goes beyond technological functionality to provide a flexible spatial configuration that allows the combination and separation of residential, work, and cultural spaces according to users’ lifestyles. This convergence not only enhances convenience and safety but also contributes to alleviating loneliness, reducing stress, and improving psychological resilience. It demonstrates how human-centered technology can become a medium for emotional healing and social reconnection. Ultimately, this study presents a foundational model for future human-centered smart home design, offering practical and theoretical implications for sustainable urban housing policy, digital culture studies, and spatial design research in the evolving era of intelligent environments.