COMFORT: A PERSONAL MATTER ?
COPYRIGHT: 2000
DIRECTOR: Michel LE BAYON
AUTHOR: Monique ELEB
FORMAT: Beta SP
DIFFUSION: Beta SP
DURATION: 52 minutes
TYPE: Documentary
PRODUCTION: France 5, Lieurac Productions
PARTICIPATION: Centre National de la Cinématographie Plan Urbanisme Construction Architecture (Ministère de l'Equipement), Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication: Direction de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine et Délégation au Développement et à l'Action Territoriale Agence Nationale pour l'Amélioration des Conditions de Travail

In France, since the Second World War the standard of comfort in the homes has vastly improved. The size of dwellings has increased from 2,7 rooms in 1946 to 4 rooms in 1992 and the number of people per room has decreased from 1,15 en 1946 to 1 in 1962 and 0,62 today.
Today, at the beginning of the 21st century, comfort is a daily pleasure that has become a necessity. As looking after our bodies, learning to relax and washing everyday have become regular habits, housing has had to evolve so as to meet these new demands. In the same way, as teenagers are becoming more autonomous, their rooms are now often equipped for a quasi-independent life style. The same arrangement applies if an older person, for example a grandparent, forms part of the household. Today it is often the kitchen, be it open-plan or separate, that has taken the place of the sitting or dining room as a convivial family meeting place. Comfort is size and volume, but it is also beauty. There is an aesthetic side to comfort.