PERSONALIZATION in a SPACE

PERSONALIZATION in a SPACE

Post 108 - by Gautam Shah

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Space is an entity a person identifies with. The relationship with the space manifests in many different ways. The most primordial one is the inhabitation. It becomes a precinct of safety and security. The precinct is reinforced with distinct reservations in time schedules and space markings, for different activities. This arrangement also involves the participants. The participants who make such arrangements also imprint their own selves here. The relationship between the participants and their space, occurs naturally, but the user wants to personalize it further. The user by adding and modifying the space imprints a personal identity.

 

The space identity is seen at several levels. The identity within an interior space is very individual, moulded usually by the housewife who conducts the house affairs. Outside the habitat it is formed by the housewife but it reflects the owner of the house. Neighbourhood identity develops as a common facet of all families. The influence of the richer, bolder and more aware families are always striking in a neighbourhood. In culturally close-knit communities, however, the individual identities are less impressionistic.

Unplanned Individualization Gaziabad India

PERSONALIZATION OF THE INTERIOR SPACE

● Personalization of an interior space is most evident in who occupies which section of a space, how long and at what times of day (and night) or the season. It is represented through the abstract means of colour-pallette, textures, patterns, etc. It is exhibited via exclusive means, facilities, amenities, gadgets and tools. It comes through intentional and unintentional sounds, smells, airiness, illumination and other sensorial effects.

PERSONALIZATION OUTSIDE THE HABITAT

● Outside the habitat, the ownership of the space is one of the key element of personalization. Identifying and declarative elements state the owner, the nature of ownership, and conditions of visitations. These are done by direct expressions as well as very subtle means. Often these are placed due to the social conditioning, without knowing their purpose or significance. Identification elements differentiate a building within a group, or connect it to a category. Identical doors and windows conjoin several, even differently styled buildings into a cohesive entity, -as a colony. Similarly in a mass housing colony, people treat their doors, windows, or curtains, extravagantly different from their neighbours. 

 

The personalization elements are very essential enrichments of a building. Immigrants try to enrich their homes with a lifestyle they have inherited. These are like the colours, fabrics, furniture, landscaping features, artefacts, and other decorative features.

The entrance door (or a street window) is not just the place of arrival but is a metaphoric point of entrance for everything, good or evil, friend or enemy, known or unknown. In a way, it is the point of fear, doubt and danger, as much as it is of hope, fulfillment and safety. The declarative elements announce the nature of opening like, entry, exit, restricted access. These elements are placed on the outer face of an entrance to warn new visitors. And also the same are occasionally placed on the interior side to reinforce the message to departing visitors (e.g. close the door gently or fully). The personal identifiers mark the owner, nature and antiquity of the ownership, name of the building, its date of commencement, occupier’s name, caste, educational qualifications, native place and titles.

Means of personalization also include, bells, knockers, buzzers, talking pipes, whistles, sirens, rattlers, vibrators, horns, intercoms, video recognition, surveillance systems. Personalization also comes through linguistic expressions like quotes and couplets. These are often in ancient languages, or in forms which are incomprehensible to themselves or others. Means of physical and spiritual defense are placed here even though there may be more vulnerable locations in a building. Names and indicators of Gods and saints not only reflect the religious affinity but also faith in specific groups. Display of forms, patterns, signs and symbols reveal the owner’s affiliation with secret communities.

NEIGHBOURHOOD IDENTITY

The means of personalization in a neighbourhood are not personally executed. It develops gradually, but on its own. The basic response derives on how a community explores the local materials, talents, flora, fauna, and handles its riches (economics). Buildings, food preparation systems, dressing, personal adornments, all emerge as cohesive personality. Very strong and sudden influences (through immigrants, media, etc.) are seen as a mismatch identity in the community. The neighbourhood identity is seen in the common celebrations and ceremonies or rituals. 

 

 

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