Investigating and Categorizing the Concept of Flexibility in Mobile Interior Spaces: The Case Study of Yacht Interior Spaces

The thesis examined the two main concepts that are flexibility and mobility. These concepts might exist in various areas of the life. Hence, this survey set out to investigate the flexible design solutions in interior design of mobile spaces which are yacht spaces. The study examined certain research objectives and try to discover wheteher flexibility is a proper solution to the limited mobile spaces in the case of being noncontextual; kinds of flexible solutions in interior yacht spaces; effects, significances and roles of flexibility as a result of the integration into interior yacht spaces; functional solutions that were achieved by the flexible systems; besides the differences and similarities of flexible solutions between various yachts. Literature review was the technique to construct theoretical background within the context of qualitative research method. On the other hand, field study was the technique within the context of quantitative research method. There were 30 cases in the field study that has chosen from ‘‘32. International Istanbul Boat Show- Marintürk Istanbul City Port’’ in Pendik/ Istanbul. The survey was finalized that, interior yacht spaces have numerous flexible solutions. These approaches respectively were divided into three headings according to the categorization of flexibility as modular systems, movable systems and foldable systems. In addition, all kinds of flexibility approaches have different categorie in their own. The study revealed that, there are 23 type of flexible solutions within 27 type in interior yacht spaces. The flexible solutions affect interior of yachts at 10 beneficial points. Furthermore, the flexible approaches are effective on 8 functions in interior yacht space. Besides, study also concluded that smaller yachts have more flexible solution then the bigger yachts. The results shows that in yacht interiors there are foldable systems firstly, movable systems secondly and modular systems lesser compared to the other two systems. The flexible approaches are effective on various functions such as sitting, eating – drinking, sleeping, storage, watching TV, sunbathing and bathing. Keywords: Interior Design / Flexible Design /Flexibility/ Mobile Space / Interior Yacht Space