(PANDEMIC ISSUE) EDITOR in CHIEF Arch

ISSN 2611-3872 N.4 DEC 2020

(PANDEMIC ISSUE) EDITOR IN CHIEF Arch. Maria Maddalena Margaria

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE: Prof. Valeria Minucciani - POLYTECHNIC OF TURIN Dr. Katelijn Quartier - UNIVERSITY OF HASSELT Prof. Francesca Murialdo - MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY Prof. Penny Sparke - KINGSTON UNIVERSITY Prof. Elena Dellapiana - POLITECNICO DI TORINO Prof. Ricardo Guasch Ceballos - ELISAVA Prof. Graeme Brooker - RCA LONDON Prof. Els de Vos - ANTWERPEN UNIVERSITY

WWW.INNEMAGAZINE.ORG

COVER AND DESIGN: DARIOBOVERO.IT LIVING IN A PANDEMIC STATE: HOW INTERIORS FACE TO ISOLATION (PANDEMIC ISSUE) Index

6 HOME OR ‘PANOPTIC’ SPACE OF WORK

WRITTEN BY Pierluigi Panza, Faculty Design Sciences, University Antwerp

14 UTILIZING DESIGN CREATIVITY TO PROTECT AND CONNECT IN PANDEMIC TIMES

WRITTEN BY Ashlyn Powers Assoc. AIA, Assoc. IIDA Pipa Bradbury ASID, NCIDQ, Illinois Registered Interior Designer #161.003564

20 PANDEMIC AND POST PANDEMIC. THE ANNUS HORRIBILIS AND THE DISCIPLINARY RE-CONSTITUTION

WRITTEN BY Pier Federico Caliari

31 POST PANDEMIC INTERIORS - THE DESIGN INTERNS’ VISTA

WRITTEN BY Mani Makhija Student of IV year of Architecture of School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal, India 38 SPECTRUM OF SPATIAL MANIFESTATIONS IN HOMES, DURING A PANDEMIC

AUTHOR: Deepiga Kameswaran Associate Professor, Faculty of Architecture, Dr.MGR Educational & Research Institute Chennai. CO AUTHOR: Anil Ravindranathan Professor, Faculty of Architecture, Dr. MGR Educational & Research Institute Chennai.

50 HEALTHIER LIVING SPACES ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AND SCIENTIFIC-TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION WRITTEN BY Clelia Maria Bonardi Dott.ssa in Architecture

58 THE CHANGE IN INTERIOR SPACE AND THE CONCEPT OF WELL-BEING IN RELATION TO THE NEW CORONAVIRUS WRITTEN BY Nilufer Saglar Onay

HOME

OR ‘PANOPTIC’ SPACE OF WORK

WRITTEN BY Pierluigi Panza Faculty Design Sciences, University Antwerp Michel Foucault (1926 – 1984) Abstract

he timing of the renewal of labour strategies in the global market is too rapid for private housing, if it has a future, to adapt to it T every time. Instead, housing - as stabilised in its various forms since the advent of the Agricultural Society onwards - can be rethought starting from certain variables in the world of production that appear less unstable:

• The partial downsizing of the sharing policies that seemed unstoppable;

• The survival of smart-working because it allows a downsizing of business spaces, that is, a saving;

• The introduction of new forms of control of work, worker and individual through telematics and polysystem tools.

How can these guidelines affect Walter Benjamin’s “old” idea of home as the home of the individual? How do we support them and in which way can we counteract them by exposing their regressive aspects? Certainly, this scenario will impact at least on three levels: the physical one (use of spaces and planning adaptations), the psychological one (how to involve other people in the house or exclude them, how to support our psychological resources) and relational (how to welcome any guests, how to improve the technologies “to see each other”). What we want to study here from a theoretical point of view is, above all, the third variable, that is the impact that monitoring, control and production systems can have in a home.

For the theoretical reflection on architecture, however, what matters is to carry out a critical act of “warning” against these additional transformations. We can assume that in the post-pandemic phase, productive capitalism will seek to take over, progressively and surreptitiously, private housing as a new place of work, control of the individual and production. And so will do central control systems, such as medical or financial ones.

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Michel Foucault (1926 – 1984)

Introduction - from are also being tested Italy with job-sharing or agi- le work solutions, have been completely called into contamination in the office question by Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Forced into sudden lockdown, the new passwords of the labor orga- to smart working at home nizers have changed, becoming “home-working” and “remote”. arissa Mayer, Yahoo’s CEO, in February In fact, three types of workers are emerging. The 2013 rejected the implementation of “Mobile worker” is a worker who does not have a work-from-home models by forcing em- M desk and can use common space in a site: for this ployees to work at Silicon Valley offices. A note sent to worker his own home remains a safe haven. The se- all employees read: “To become the best place ever to cond type of worker is the homeworker and he wor- work, communication and collaboration will be im- ks exclusively from home. The homeworker must portant, so we need to work side by side. That’s why submit to the company the documents of his home it’s crucial that we’re all in our offices. Some of the (floor plan, certificates of habitability and plant com- best decisions and insights come from discussions pliance) which are examined by the company’s HSE held in the hallways and cafeteria, from meeting function. This also carries out an inspection of the new people, and from impromptu team meetings”1 home to determine if it is suitable for homeworking But these solutions based on “contamination”, which and to choose the workstation position in a room.

1. A.GATTARA and F.GUIDI, Empatia degli spazi, “Position Paper”, n.11, Milano, ottobre 2013.

8 The company also provides the homeworker with planning adaptations), the psychological one furniture and ICT equipment, consisting of an ergo- (how to involve other people in the house or nomic chair, a desk and hires technicians to install exclude them, how to support our psychological a Wi-Fi system in the home: it is clear that this type resources) and relational (how to welcome any of work profoundly affects the home, which is “sha- guests, how to improve the technologies “to see red” with the company. The Smart worker can carry each other”). This study also intends to carry out out his work not only from home, like the homewor- a critical operation, to “warn” about the third of ker, but from any non-public place with private WiFi: these aspects, which involves the issue of control also in this case his activity can affect the use of the over the individual after the irruption of the office home. into the domestic space. The goal is to show how to design an interior will henceforth have to deal In his article entitled We’re not going back to nor- (also disciplinarily) with regulatory systems not mal published in “MIT Technology Review”, Gideon only architectural, but which concern the world of Lichfield recalled how many of the practices that work and digital and privacy regulations. broke into the lockdown “won’t go back to normal in a few weeks, or even a few months. Some things never will”2. These include smart working, (and, obviously, homeworking), which promotes business Theme - a panottic house: do savings and has been accepted or appreciated by employees, perhaps also for induced reasons, which is they look at me at home? not the case to discuss here. As evidence of this, we report the data of a survey conducted by the Digital Transformation Agency of Lombardy3 on a sample of 6,500 workers (55% in the public sector and 45% The new forms of home-working and “social spain the private sector). 51% of those who had already ce” will lead, from the point of view of territorial tried smart working said they were “more producti- distribution, to a rediscovery of the countrysi- ve” while among new smart workers 57% said they de and to an occupation of spaces that were less were less productive. However, 94% of respondents used and therefore considered safer (contrarily to said they were ready to continue with “working from what previously thought), favoring a demographic home”. The impact of smart working on workplace sprawl. and domestic affairs emerged from the questionnai- With regard to large housing sizes and types, re: 43% of workers in the private sector and 37% of apart from a rediscovery - almost nostalgic - of the public sector stated that “separating work and premises that had been deleted (entrance, corri- leisure” was one of the difficulties. Smart working is dor, ...), it is incomplete to speak only in terms putting worker, home and work in a fluid condition.4 of square meters or equipment tools. It is not a This condition of work and domestic use of the apart- matter of thinking only about how to create a new ment on the one hand highlights a better well-being open-space or not, technologically connected and for the lower stress recorded (52% of workers without functional, healthy and, perhaps, located inside a children and 45% of those with children say they are building or a residential complex with collective “less stressed”) but, on the other hand, the intrusion sanitary facilities. of the home office revolutionizes its statutes and also becomes a form of remote control of the home space In the post-pandemic phase, productive capitali- of the worker.5 sm will seek to take over, progressively and surreptitiously, private housing as a new place of This paper aims to show how these new guidelines work, control of the individual and production. So will taken in the field of work with theCoronavirus SARS- do central control systems, such as medical or finan- CoV-2. affect Walter Benjamin’s “old” idea of home as cial ones. On this one must be “on guard”. the home of the individual.6 Philosophy had already dealt with this theme of the Certainly, this scenario will impact at least on end of private space, in one case by linking it to the three levels: the physical one (use of spaces and overcoming of the idea of habitation in capitalist so-

2. G.LICHFIELD, “We’re not going back to normal”, (“MIT Technology Review”, 17 March 2020) 3. https://www.trasformazionedigitale.regione.lombardia.it/wps/portal/site/trasformazionedigitale/trasformazione-digitale-in-lombardia 4. Z.BAUMANN, Work, consumerism and the new poor, Open University Press, Berkshire, England-New York, 2005, Italian transl. Lavoro, consumismo e nuove povertà, Città aperta, Troina, 2005. 5. Z.BAUMANN, Liquid surveillance. A conversation, with D.Lyon, Polity Press, Cambridge, 2013. Sesto potere.Trad.it., La sorveglianza nella modernità liquida, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 2013. 6. W. BENJAMIN, Raum für das Kostbare, in Gesammelte Schriften, curated by R. Tiedemann and H. Schweppenhäuser, vol. IV, part I, curated by T. Rexroth, Suhrkamp Verlag, Frankfurt am Main, 1972. Italian transl. Il ritorno del flâneur, in Ombre corte. Scritti 1928-1929, curated by G. Agamben, Einaudi, Torino 1993, pp. 468-473.

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10 ciety, in the second, the opposite, warning of the sur- ce within which surveillance takes place. So, after veillance that power exercises through architecture. this “experimentation”, the possibility that the sum of all private homes is the place of an uninterrupted The philosopher of the Frankfurt School Theodor W. cloister for “docile bodies” and subjected by the world Adorno had entrusted the idea of going beyond the of work appears a marked step. From the lockdown domestic space to an aphorism of Minima moralia. onwards, the cameras will no longer observe who is The homes designed today, Adorno wrote, “brutally out in the surrounding area, but if you go out. From contrast with each aspiration towards an indepen- the lockdown onwards, the smart-worker and his dent existence”. From this it follows that “living is own home are constantly observed by the digital eye. no longer practically possible ... The house has disap- The system has turned upside down: the private has peared.” In this sense, the advent of smart-working become what is observed anonymously, panoptically. would only forcefully confirm this “prophecy” of the sunset of the need for a domestic and private space. Before putting forward some traces of normative sug- “It is part of my luck, wrote Nietzsche in Die fröhliche gestions that regulate this ongoing intrusion, but it is Wissenschaft- concludes Adorno - not to own a house. a question, at least, of unmasking the false freedom And today it should be added: it is part of the moral to that lies behind the opportunities for simplification, never feel at home”.7 flexibility, various advantages that it evokes to support the silent transformation of “one’s” private spa- But since domestic space does not appear on the point ce into a place of “collective” work. Adorno and Hor- of being liberally abandoned, but “invaded” by others, kheimer, in the Dialectic of the Enlightenment11 have here philosophy has already brought attention to the demonstrated the advent of counterpraxis which is theme of the individual observed in “his” space wi- inherent in every modern liberation process. Their thout being seen, or observed in a space that becomes thesis, as is known, is that the Enlightenment advo- panoptic - which was once only that of prison as desi- cated the self-determination of individuals but ended gned by Jeremy Bentham but which now risks to beco- up imposing a form of rational, and, now, technolo- me the domestic one. The theme had been addressed gical, organization capable of anesthetizing and neu- by the French post-structuralist philosopher Michel tralizing the freedom of the subject. Today, in a book Foucault in 1975 in his essay Surveiller et punir: Nais- like The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for 8 sance de la prison. Since the seventeenth century, the a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power by the individual body, states Foucault, has entered a gear American sociologist Shoshana Zuboff 12, these issues of power, in a “normative mechanics” that defines are re-emerging, linked to the digital revolution and spaces and distances for docile or subjugated bodies. to the new conditions of human development. Zuboff Foucault dedicates the third part of his work to the developed the concepts of “surveillance capitalism”, advent and deployment of a “political anatomy” that “instrumental power”, “means of behavior modifica- organizes the discipline bodies by subtracting them tion “. The house modeled as a workplace, acquisi- 9 from their “scattered localization”, governing their tion of goods and consumption as well as place of proxemics in prisons, on ships, in schools , inside the rest from work, subjected to a surveillance control churches ... through a “corpus of modern procedures”. that takes place through the telematic recording This discipline “sometimes requires seclusion, the carried out by the tools provided (PCs, cameras, specification of a place heterogeneous with respect to smart appliances, wi-fi, apps, geolocation proxi- 10 all the others and closed in on itself”. This cloiste- mity, meeting recording) reveals the counterpraxis red and hospital-like space was experienced precisely face of the new panoptic freedom. That is, a free- during the infections and in all these cases, “medi- dom that puts individuals once again in the condi- cal surveillance” was accompanied by “a whole other tion of being monitored “at home” without knowing series of checks”. We too have now experienced this by whom and when. “closed in” place that was imposed on us by the presence of Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. This place has been This silent “expropriation” of private space marks, a private and at the same time widespread place: our in a certain sense, the triumph of the ethics of Capi- homes. The private place par excellence has suddenly talism in its first religious aspiration, typical of Pro- become the place of collective confinement, the spa- testantism and Calvinism. In Christian Directory,

7. T. W. ADORNO, Minima moralia. Meditazioni della vita offesa, Einaudi, Torino 1954. See also D. Pisani, Per una apocalissi dialettica, engramma, n. 84, ottobre, 2010, open access ISSN 1826-901X. 8. M.FOUCAULT, Surveiller et punir. Naissance de la prison, Paris, 1975. Italian transl., Sorvegliare e punire, Torino, 1976. 9. Ibid. pp.147 ss. 10. Ibid., p.154 11. T.W.ADORNO and M.HORKHEIMER, Dialektik der Aufklärung. Philosophische Fragmente, Amsterdam, 1947. Italian Transl. Dia- lettica dell’Illuminismo, Torino, 1966. 12. Di S.ZUBOFF see also: The Support Economy: Why Corporations Failing Individuals e Next Episode of Capitalism.

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12 the Puritan preacher Richard Baxter already listed -Public support is required for general maintenance what were the real condemnations for the capita- of homes and their technological adaptation; list and which Max Weber identifies as typical of capitalism: the reclining, the enjoyment, the waste -it is necessary to promote tools for the develop- of time, the domestic “idle talk”, the sleep that may ment of new health-related neighborhood infra- only be what is needed to resume production. So structures, for work, for psycho-physical well-being much so that Benjamin Franklin summarized this and for active green; 13 thought in the famous slogan “time is money”. - the condo administrator will become a service Therefore, the apartment which has become a wor- manager who must ensure the IT and health ma- kplace for disciplined bodies where “time is money”, nagement of the home risks to be transformed into the place of action of The interior spaces will no longer be designable in a panoptic system of control also of the enjoyment terms of rooms, if not recovering the typologies that and of the loss of domestic time, and even of sleep. have been suppressed (the hallway that becomes a dirty / clean transition space) but with accessory functions, such as renewal of infrastructure equipment of the apartment, especially old, and new air Conclusions - Rules and not sanitization systems, or such as aesthetic functions only “interior design” determined by healthiness, views and solutions that also respond to the logic of Neuroaesthetics (even digital art will be able to become part of the digital-video platform that will provide the apart- 14 If we do not think that the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is ments as a luxury aesthetic function). the instrument through which Adorno’s “prophecy” In the first place, however, it is necessary that stra- on the overcoming of domestic space is forcibly ful- tegic lines be taken to protect the home. Companies filled, in a scenario like this the intervention that that introduce smart-working must have entered into a discipline such as interior architecture can carry agreements at central level with the Postal Police and out is that of a post-discipline. The architect - on National CERTs. CERTs are organizations, generally a large scale - will at best be part of a design team supported by universities or government agencies, made up of neuroscientists, occupational doctors, responsible for collecting reports of cyber incidents, psychologists, sustainability managers, developers vulnerabilities and intrusion into software that come and engineers. In this process, the architect will from users. Therefore, the regulations provided by the take on the task now called “workspace planner” Privacy Guarantor in the EU Regulation 2016/679 will and, inside the home, that of “interior designer”. be integrated to protect the domestic space - hence Though there is a proxemics of intimacy too com- the obligation to install a background screen that ma- plex and individual, different from civilization to kes the home space invisible remotely, for example. civilization, to be rigidly regulated or to open the Otherwise, remote work would also end up functio- way to neo-rationalist adventures, architectural re- ning as a video surveillance system. The congruity of presentatives must become part of the elaboration the workspace with safety standards must be entru- of new regulatory systems in the field of domestic sted to third agencies and certified to protect choices work. I believe this legislation is to be thought of in the domestic space. Companies must respond in in non-traditional and de-bureaucratization terms. terms of Governance, Privacy and CyberSecurity to I believe that living+working legislation must invol- the NIS directive 2016/1148 (Network and Information ve new figures and take into account some aspects: Security) approved in 2016 aimed at establishing the measures for creating a safe and reliable digital envi- -An anti-panoptic function must be ensured inside ronment in Europe.15 Finally, these problems should the home: I can only be seen if I see you, that is, I also enter the field of observation of the Italian Agen- can be seen and controlled only if and when I allow cy for digitalization established with the Mario Monti it; therefore computer systems and homes must Government16, which has the task of issuing guideli- provide total shielding; nes and standard regulations.

13. M.WEBER, Die Protestantische Ethok und der Geist., Italian transl. L’Etica protestante e lo spirito del Capitalismo, Milano, Rizzoli, 2010, pp.128-129 14. See also H.F.MULLGRAVE in particular chap.4 “Experiencing architecture”, in H.F.MULLGRAVE, Architecture and embodiment, Routledge, London. New York, 2013. 15. Implemented with Legislative Decree 18 May 2018, n.65, published in the Official Gazette n. 132 of 9 June 2018 which entered into force on 24 June 2018) 16. Law Decree 22 June 2012 n. 83 (so-called “Development Decree”) converted into law 7 August 2012 n. 134

13 UTILIZING DESIGN CREATIVITY TO PROTECT AND CONNECT IN PANDEMIC TIMES

WRITTEN BY Ashlyn Powers Assoc. AIA, Assoc. IIDA Pipa Bradbury ASID, NCIDQ, Illinois Registered Interior Designer #161.003564 September 14, 2020 met with restrictive signage, roped off areas, and rules for how to exist safely within spaces. A great way to make people feel unsafe is to tell them how to be magine, one year ago, how would you begin a safe within a space they currently are occupying. The- design? Most might have started with a few se restrictions are in place because our previously de- conceptual goals. Communal. Vibrant. Commu- I signed spaces were not designed to adapt and now are nity Feel. Open Floor Plan just to name a few. Com- a stark monument to how the world used to be. Let munal and community feel seemed to be a trending us not tell people how to be safe within a space, let us design goal for almost every project type, from re- create safe spaces. staurants to workspaces, a sense of connection was always key to a successful concept. A year ago, the If this design “solution” of isolation and forceful se- connection was a physical one. In today’s times, is it paration continues, the pandemic mindset will never fair that we depend on yesteryears goals of this physi- end and isolation will be the new normal. Every hu- cal connection and only adapt these designs? We have man on this planet is striving for connection, so yes been dealt a hand that no one wants, but it is here to let us use the guidelines as set forth by the scienti- stay and the design community can decide to fold or sts and doctors as a minimum physical distance but adapt and utilize concepts that transform spaces into change the way we design by exploring different ways safe and dynamic escapes from isolation. to connect. By developing how we design for these changes, we do not need to depend on special finishes Proxemics is the “study of the nature, degree, and or strictly sterile environments; instead, we meet the- effect of the spatial separation individuals naturally se challenges head on and create artful experiences maintain and how this separation relates to the en- out of these restrictions. vironmental and cultural factors”.1 Edward T. Hall is credited to be the pioneer in the field of proxemics and in 1968 established guidelines that have been referen- Centralized features can be used as visual and audi- ced for interior design since its conception. He crea- tory gatherings that connect those around it through ted four categories and established distances (in feet) the common experience. For instance, a simple verti- that were preferred for such activity to occur. Intimate cal stream of water falling within the center of a spa- (less than one foot), Personal (two feet to four feet), ce creates a serene sound that reverberates and reso- Social (four feet to ten feet), and Public (ten feet and nates throughout and within a large area. This sound beyond).2 Fifty-two years later, the study of proxemics can travel around high-backed furnishings, partial now has been turned upside down with the Center for height partitions, and sectioned seating. Even though Disease Control guidelines taking its place (figure 1) you are physically within smaller groupings, every oc- cupant is sharing a connection through sound. Seventy-two inches, six feet. This is now the bare minimum CDC suggested distance in any social situa- This connection through common experience of tion.3 How do we as designers allot for this? Many water has more than just the benefit of providing a restaurants have taken immediate action by taping sound connection, “The presence of water has been off every other chair to prohibit close interaction. In proven to lead to reduced stress, increased feelings of places that used to serve as escapes, people are now tranquility, lower heart rate and blood pressure, and

1 “Proxemics.” Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster. Accessed May 13, 2020. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proxemics.

2 Hall, Edward T., Ray L. Birdwhistell, Bernhard Bock, Paul Bohannan, A. Richard Diebold, Marshall Durbin, Munro S. Edmonson, J. L. Fischer, Dell Hymes, Solon T. Kimball, Weston La Barre, Frank Lynch, S. J., J. E. McClellan, Donald S. Marshall, G. B. Milner, Harvey B. Sarles, George L Trager, and Andrew P. Vayda. “Proxemics [and Comments and Replies].” Current Anthropology 9, no. 2/3 (1968): 83-108. Accessed May 13, 2020. www.jstor.org/stable/2740724.

3 “How to Protect Yourself & Others.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, April 24, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html.

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recovered skin conductance” 4. Water reminds occu- rably 100 feet, incorporate an information-rich pro- pants of the natural world within the built environ- spect view by designing with or around an existing or ment and has been proven to reduce stress, “auditory planned savannah-like ecosystem, body of water, and access and perceived or potential tactile access to wa- evidence of human activity or habitation, limit opa- ter reduced stress in participants; and by Barton and que partitions (e.g., workplace conditions, landscape Pretty (2010), who concluded that activities conducted hedges) to 42 inches in height 8. in green spaces with the presence of water generated Large central features and open visual fields may not greater improvements in both self-esteem and mood be possible in the scope of many projects but achie- than green environments without the presence of wa- ving the same essence of creating connection throu- ter.” 5 (figure 2) gh audio stimulation can be. Let us be creative in our Visually, the association can be achieved by centrali- planning, imagine a radial furniture layout resem- zed lighting sculptures, groupings of similar lighting bling a flower connecting to nature. That connection fixtures, or common light levels within certain are- emphasized with a biophilic design feature cascading as. Light has the power to create emotions, to make behind, accented by beautiful suspended lights highli- colors and intensity change before your eyes, and to ghting the lush vibrant color. (Figure 3) direct your attention purposefully. Mixing in mirrors The separated layouts of furniture can have varied strategically placed with lighting can create a sense of solutions of designed auditory zones that can create mystery as well as cleverly providing fun unexpected intimate groupings or be varying in auditory inten- visual connections. A sense of mystery is “a spatial sity. These zones can vary from the quiet space with condition characterized by the promise of more infor- low ceilings and soft surfaces for more intimate fee- mation manifested by the presence of partially obscu- ling settings or purposeful loudness caused by hard red views or other sensory stimuli that fascinate and surfaces. It has been proven that introducing ambient entice the individual to travel deeper into the environ- sounds based on the sounds of nature promote crea- ment” 6. tivity9. The loudness, if controlled correctly, will con- In opposition of creating mystery, another impor- nect others by hearing those around minimizing dead tant need in interior design is to create a sense of air caused by physical separation. It is like hearing a understanding 7, occupants need to be aware of their train whistle in the night, even though you are alo- surroundings. This need for understanding can ne within your bed, you hear the world moving and also facilitate another visual connection by creating know that you are not the only one awake. unblocked views throughout the space. A few ways to Utilizing visual and auditory designs now thrusts us accomplish this, as illustrated below, include: Provide into the world of experiential and emotional design. minimum focal lengths of ≥20 feet (6 meters), prefe-

4 Ryan, Catherine, William Browning, Joseph Clancy, Scott Andrews, and Namita Kallianpurkar. 2014. “BIOPHILIC DESIGN PATTERNS Emer- ging Nature-Based Parameters for Health and Well-Being in the Built Environment.” Archnet-IJAR International Journal of Architectural Research , no. Volume 8 Issue 2 (July): 62–76. https://earthwise.education/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Biophilicdesign-patterns.

5 Ryan, Catherine, William Browning, Joseph Clancy, Scott Andrews, and Namita Kallianpurkar. 2014. “BIOPHILIC DESIGN PATTERNS Emer- ging Nature-Based Parameters for Health and Well-Being in the Built Environment.” Archnet-IJAR International Journal of Architectural Research , no. Volume 8 Issue 2 (July): 62–76. https://earthwise.education/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Biophilicdesign-patterns.

6 Ryan, Catherine, William Browning, Joseph Clancy, Scott Andrews, and Namita Kallianpurkar. 2014. “BIOPHILIC DESIGN PATTERNS Emer- ging Nature-Based Parameters for Health and Well-Being in the Built Environment.” Archnet-IJAR International Journal of Architectural Research , no. Volume 8 Issue 2 (July): 62–76. https://earthwise.education/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Biophilicdesign-patterns.

7 Ryan, Catherine, William Browning, Joseph Clancy, Scott Andrews, and Namita Kallianpurkar. 2014. “BIOPHILIC DESIGN PATTERNS Emerging Nature-Based Parameters for Health and Well-Being in the Built Environment.” Archnet-IJAR International Journal of Archi- tectural Research , no. Volume 8 Issue 2 (July): 62–76. https://earthwise.education/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Biophilicdesign-patterns.

8 Ryan, Catherine, William Browning, Joseph Clancy, Scott Andrews, and Namita Kallianpurkar. 2014. “BIOPHILIC DESIGN PATTERNS Emer- ging Nature-Based Parameters for Health and Well-Being in the Built Environment.” Archnet-IJAR International Journal of Architectural Research , no. Volume 8 Issue 2 (July): 62–76. https://earthwise.education/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Biophilicdesign-patterns.

9 Ryan, Catherine, William Browning, Joseph Clancy, Scott Andrews, and Namita Kallianpurkar. 2014. “BIOPHILIC DESIGN PATTERNS Emer- ging Nature-Based Parameters for Health and Well-Being in the Built Environment.” Archnet-IJAR International Journal of Architectural Research , no. Volume 8 Issue 2 (July): 62–76. https://earthwise.education/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Biophilicdesign-patterns.

16 fig. 1

fig. 2

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fig. 3

Many designs of the past have neglected these aspects longer achieve their original goals with the same re- as function and form has controlled our budgets. sonance as they once did. Design has followed similar Clients focused on capacity and high turnover but this principles of proxemics for years with minor tweaks is the way of the past. With public spaces and restau- that have slowly metastasized. Then, in 2020, we were rants beginning to open back up, we are not seeing hit with an opportunity for change. This pandemic, the resurgence of attendance that was expected. Why? as devastating as it is, can be an opportunity for desi- People are feeling vulnerable and scared, they do not gners to create safe and dynamic spaces whilst brin- feel that these spaces properly separate nor do they ging back connectivity with creative emotional design provide the escapism that they once did. Bygone are experiences. Let us not depend on moving chairs fur- these designs of the past, as those solutions can no ther apart, let us redesign the seat.

Bibliography

Hall, Edward T., Ray L. Birdwhistell, Bernhard Bock, Paul Bohannan, A. Richard Diebold, Marshall Durbin, Munro S. Edmonson, J. L. Fischer, Dell Hymes, Solon T. Kimball, Weston La Barre, Frank Lynch, S. J., J. E. McClellan, Do- nald S. Marshall, G. B. Milner, Harvey B. Sarles, George L Trager, and Andrew P. Vayda. “Proxemics [and Comments and Replies].” Current Anthropology 9, no. 2/3 (1968): 83-108. Accessed May 13, 2020. www.jstor.org/stable/2740724.

“How to Protect Yourself & Others.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, April 24, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html.

“Proxemics.” Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster. Accessed May 13, 2020. https://www.merriam-webster.com/ dictionary/proxemics.

Ryan, Catherine, William Browning, Joseph Clancy, Scott Andrews, and Namita Kallianpurkar. 2014. “BIOPHILIC DESIGN PATTERNS Emerging Nature-Based Parameters for Health and Well-Being in the Built Environment.” Ar- chnet-IJAR International Journal of Architectural Research, no. Volume 8 Issue 2 (July): 62–76. https://earthwise. education/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Biophilicdesign-patterns.

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PANDEMIC AND POST-PANDEMIC. THE ANNUS HORRIBILIS AND THE DISCIPLINARY RE-CONSTITUTION

WRITTEN BY Pier Federico Caliari

20 Turin-Milan-Inverigo, April 19th, 2020. vate space not only housing – relegated to mere distributive aspects – as well as the primacy of ur- t took a terrible pandemic to make peo- ban design on interior design, considered the use- ple understand the primacy of qual- less Cinderella among the disciplines of the proj- ity of life, and that most of that pri- I ect. In essence, we realized that the crisis of the macy is due to the quality of living spaces. Casabella-Continuità Paradigm, which for more When, in a certain number of months, the desire than half a century has influenced the Italian ar- to regain the habits and spaces frequented before chitectural culture (and not only), eliminating the the annus horribilis will prevail over the emer- best enlightened professionalism and marginal- gency and we will return to an almost normal life, izing the interior design, replaced them with a we will tend to forget if not to remove a period of political vision – academically protected – of an our existence among the most dramatic in our architecture whose competence and realization re- history. A drama that has not unfolded between mained firmly in the hands of a very limited num- bombings or destruction caused by natural events ber of professors-architects. Basically, to promote – that deprive of their own things, their own home a dramatically poor architecture.1 and loved ones – but, on the contrary and paradoxically, has matured within the house walls due This is not a disciplinary revenge, a reaction to to a curfew necessary to save many lives and to the ancillary condition that interior architecture avoid the spread of the contagion. Suddenly, the has experienced despite itself in the last thirty homes of many people have turned into prisons years, but a pure and simple act that anticipates, with unexpected psychological implications and or should anticipate, a reconsideration and a rede- still many consequences to study. What is certain sign of the profile of the architect’s profession. This is that for a large part of the population, their own fact obviously concerns also the teaching of a sub- protective space consisting of a number of square ject – the architecture – that in the last decade, es- meters intended for housing, has become other pecially in Italy, has been measured by an unprec- from the purpose which it was designed to. It has edented legitimisation crisis due essentially to the become insufficient, inadequate, and improper. loss of its core identity, generating a heavy loss of credibility in front of the society and the Country Together with the oblivion, however, there will which is summed up in the dramatic consequence also remain the conviction that the design of the that families no longer want their children to en- interior housing landscape – but also of the work, rol in Architecture Faculties. If you think about it exchange, and spiritual regeneration spaces – are – and this process has not interrupted at all in the of real strategic importance in terms of social qual- current trends – we are remarkably close to the ity of life. We realized in these months of confine- apodictic condition of the end of architecture. ment within the house walls that the architecture of the interior is fundamental to the achievement This is not the place to deepen these reasons, but of this quality independently of the measures of certainly the teaching of architecture failed. The freedom of movement and behaviour restrictions mistakes are there, they were there, and they have associated with the state of emergency. It has been heavy. First of all, the downgrading of the in- been realized, by those who make the profession terior architecture (we have witnessed a real search of architect, that some pillars of modernity have for its delegitimization), crushed by the declining entered into crisis, first of all the one of popular “urban design” on one hand, and pressed by the housing, of references to rational architecture, or symmetrical success of “design” on the other. But the primacy of the city and public space over pri- which was the mistake? Several errors have been

1 Is interesting to notice that criticism to the Casabella-Continuità Paradigm is a recurring theme in the attempt of a part of architectural culture to free itself from the structural link between politics, academy and profession, already from the end of the Sixties and emerged several times in the following years. In this regard and more in detail, a paper by Claudio D’Amato Guerrieri – about the history of the magazine Controspazio directed by Paolo Portoghesi and born with precise reference to the cult-magazine Spazio directed by Luigi Moretti – is illuminating: “(...) in the following two seasons Portoghesi countered the attempt of the intellectual elites, who had in «Casabella» their reference, to impose a “unique thought” flattened on the orthodox interpretation of modernism”. And, quoting his 2008 interview with Portoghesi (cf. C. D’Amato, Studiare l’architettura, Roma, Gangemi Editore, 2014, pp. 84 et seq.) he mentions the words: “(...) I remember that we fought the famous buildings “engaged”, those of the generation before mine, I was, like Ridolfi, completely opposed to this series C, made with very good intentions, but also extremely easy to do, because then the spontaneous question was: “Would they be able to do A-series things?”, and probably they were not”. See Claudio D’Amato Guerrieri, Controspazio come “piccola rivista”, in FAM https://www.famagazine.it/index.php/famagazine/article/view/84/643

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made in different directions, but the main one not enough and that there is too much sociality was having eliminated the term Beauty from the even between two people but, paradoxically, if one vocabulary of the Architect, in favour of new and is missing loneliness takes over, the spaces come more salvific anglicisms as smart city, job sharing, back to widen but they lack of sharing, the word home office, social housing that have replaced the is missing and you have no other way but to con- hardest and Teutonic existenz minimum, siedlun- front yourself with your space, with the idea that gen, trabanten prinzip, etc. The search for beauty generated it and with its set up made of commu- has left the educational objectives of the architects nicative artifacts, devices for the stimulation of and so the discipline that some of them have the aesthetic pleasure, for the organization of time in task – of paramount importance – to teach the discrete phases and moments. What we initially new generations who grow without the categorical established within the founding act of the posses- imperative of its attainment. sion of a space, including its organization and the involvement of prosthetics for the interaction with There is no more Beauty in architecture. Beauty is it, is what we can dispose even during the emer- considered a reactionary concept that underlies gency. What we have decided every time we have differences, even social ones; is therefore better thought/founded and re-thought/re-founded a legitimize the ugly... and get the bare minimum space, is our endowment even when we are forced sadness. within friendly walls. If the choices have been far- All we’ve learned in our lives, inside and outside sighted we enjoy the results, but if they have not the discipline, is that we are social animals, that and we have underestimated their significance we need to be as close and united as possible, that with respect to Time, life will seem psychologically we need to share large and small spaces, that we reduced and there will be a sense of intolerance can drink in the same glass, pass each other saliva and rebellion against our own walls. and sweat, have intimacy and sociality, enter and exit the same sharing car and the same shower. We have therefore been educated to the exact opposite of what we must try to do from now on. It was Post-pandemic and desire nice when on Fridays you used to go to a bar for a for Beauty. Re-founding happy hour kissing and embracing friends, toasted interior architecture and handed you beer and maybe cigarettes, mouth to mouth. Today is better not to do so, and we must Turin-Milan-Inverigo, May 21st, 2020. get over it. But before these differences become standardized quantitative data (social distance measurement, building regulations, square meters A month has passed since the first part of this per capita, etc.) – which will certainly happen for writing… I thought to divide it into two parts rela- the reconversion of many activities to the smart- tive to the during and after confinement, to bet- work – it will be necessary to rethink the quality of ter confront the perception of the two moments. the interior architectural landscape, considering Italy has, at least in part, reopened its doors on the the psychological, aesthetic, and spiritual aspects wave of a sensitive anxiety for a possible economic – in a word the humanistic aspects – and bring crisis but also, in truth, under a mediatic pres- the art and the craft of being an architect to a very sure from those who have strongly criticized the practical condition. closure claiming the right to regain public space and habits to which seems particularly difficult to This is a condition based on the re-appropriation renounce. of the centre of space, on the vision of all six faces of the fence, on the sequence and concatenation What perception do we have today of the end of of the spaces, their shape and articulation, their confinement? What remains of the experience of exercise of forces and counter-forces towards our pandemic detention? The domestic interior seems corporeity, of their tactility and chromatism, of to have been replaced by the interior of the squares their aesthetic quality, of their Beauty. and urban corridors. But the desire for freedom (and At a certain point we realize that the spaces are some of its uncontrolled manifestations) so power-

22 fig. 1 Palladio - Interno con cupola rotonda (Vicenza)

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fully expressed is not the real mirror of living on the ence a series of emotional solicitations: Beauty is per- timeline of everyday life. In the end, we wonder what spective perception on a landscape rich in stirrings can/must be done to redesign the spaces of interior- that solicit aesthetic responses. Beauty is the ques- ity. I suppose nothing… nothing that is not predict- tioning of space and the ability to read its most vivid able quantitative: a neutral space of decantation/ expressions. The pursuit of Beauty is the constant filter between the inside and the outside, techno- contention between ego-centric feeling and abandon- logical equipment of network to transform houses ment to the standard where ego-centric is the good in spread hospitals (see the notes of Pierluigi Panza). character and abandonment to the standard is the Will we move from a masonry house to an equipped bad character to be killed. Beauty is the gaze on na- and flexible house? It is difficult and however there ture, even the artificialized one. Beauty is a selective will be a few cases of specific study. PhD cases. lure, the art of knowing how to choose and decide. In any case, all these devices will be the subject of the Beauty is a bar under which you never have to go. next two or three building fair and object of cultured Beauty is an artifice of our sensitivity that allows us reflections in the world of furniture design. But our to tend to the magnificent and to remain indifferent stone cities are not made for flexibility, for rapid re- to the miserable. Beauty requires an intensely com- configuration, and after all the historic city is beauti- mitted behaviour to always keep the profile of the ful as such. Besides, we probably do not even like the project high. Beauty requires elegance of thought and social distance – which in fact is exercised only under behaviour. Beauty is one of the forms of communica- coercion – and therefore it will not even be a matter tion and moves within codes and systems of expecta- of increasing the surfaces by building regulations for tions. Beauty is not innate; it is not a dowry. Beauty is new buildings. designed and built with thought. Beauty is obtained. Obtaining Beauty is not simple but is a categorical What about the Architect’s Handbook or the Neufert? imperative. Will they be updated with the appropriate solutions to the decrees of the President of the Council on the The primary measure of Beauty is the ego-centre prevention of infections? Who knows… but it is not where form is substance, without hypocrisy. What I so important. design is what I see. Beauty is tested first on itself. That is the problem. Without a severe bildung any Are there, instead, the conditions for a disciplinary test results negative, there is no Beauty. So, the prob- re-foundation of the interior architecture down- lem is to educate ourselves to Beauty to teach Beauty. stream of the pandemic? This was the question I was It is necessary to know very well the aesthetic-be- wandering at the beginning of this writing… I am havioural codes of one’s own milieu, to elaborate its afraid there are not, at least for the moment. Is too meaning under the semantic and cognitive aspect early. The pandemic is not over, in Europe it seems and to follow its development in a certain Delta T to be under control, but in Russia, Africa and South that is that of our experience in the project dimen- America it is still expanding. So, is still a little early sion. But it is also necessary to understand how and to make evaluations. If there will be the conditions how much the codes can be combined in a new way, for a re-foundation, I believe that the path could be originating not the palliative of a new thing, but giv- the one of the interdisciplinarity: not a disciplinary ing life to a sublime recapitulation. Beauty can there- re-foundation but a bi-disciplinary re-foundation. fore be experienced within a system of rules and With which partners? I do not think scientific ones. conventions. The knowledge of these, together with The only possible partner is Beauty and the only im- the creative bargaining started with them originates perative post Covid is and will always be to reach and the processes of definition of Beauty that emerges get it. Architecture is not a science and cannot be re- thanks to the acquisition and display of charisma. founded or re-thought by virologists. It can (perhaps) Beauty lies where architecture is charismatic. To ob- be re-founded only by architects who aspire to the tain Beauty is necessary to work on the parameters achievement of Beauty. – accessible to a creative thought – of the charis- Let us try to understand each other, from architects matic architecture. Here charisma is not meant as to architects. What is Beauty in architecture? How do a supernatural gift obtained by divine grace but as you get it in private or public space? Let us try with the condition that originates the gift bestowed on a the collage technique, adding to the frame of refer- community. That is an architecture that exerts a sub-

24 fig. 2 Carlo Scarpa - Cappella del cimitero Brion Altivole

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stantial and meaningful influence because it is gener- some expressive elements – chiaroscuro, plasticity, ated by a planning thought in a state of grace. density of matter, construction – reveal themselves as formal or intellectual aspects of “matter”, in its In this regard, I would like to suggest the comparison physical concreteness put at stake in architecture, – in this context still unspecified about what will be in and therefore form a group of a certain homogene- the future, with what I consider the first and perhaps ity and strongly representative as a whole. Now it the only formal theory of interior architecture – for- should be noted that the empty space of the interior mulated by Luigi Walter Moretti and published in the of an architecture contrasts exactly to this group as a seventh issue of the magazine Spazio2 in 1953, in rela- specular value, symmetrical and negative, as a true tionship with Beauty: a comparison that I consider a negative matrix, and as such capable of summariz- starting point and a specific reference for a re-founding together itself and its opposites terms. Especially ing of the discipline of the interiors to be transmitted where the internal space is the main reason, or even within the school to exclusive support of the bildung. reason for the birth of the factory, as it is mostly, it is It is precisely the relationship between the disciplines revealed as the seed, the mirror, the richest symbol of design creativity and artistic vision that consti- of the entire architectural reality. This was clear for tutes the Architecture-Beauty paradigm expressed by the ancients and for centuries; from the Romans to Spazio, especially in its period of editorial continuity the Romanics, from the Goths to Brunelleschi, from (1950-53). The entire program of the magazine is based Bramante to Guarini, the conquest and resolution of on the artistic vision of architecture in all its projec- the interior spaces coincided with the conquests and tual variations and always from the point of view of the history of architecture itself.” the form (architecture-building, architecture-structure, architecture-interiors, architecture-art, architec- But it is also an essay on sublime Beauty, without ture-history, architecture-furniture, architecture-ar- ever being openly named or defined. It is, if anything, chaeology, architecture-restoration (reconstruction), alluded to – through its own sub-liminar essence - architecture-set-up, architecture-museography, ar- and understood as the outcome of a state of grace. chitecture-decorations, architecture-graphic).3 The relationship between space and emotion is the theme of the essay. This implies a psychological Parametric and differential formal theory – the one situation that is primarily experiential and matured enunciated in the essay “Structures and sequences of with perception, but it is also a design condition for spaces” – has for object the quality of the architectur- those who, pencil in hand, disposes the quality of al space. There are two peculiar aspects enunciated space considering it not autonomously, but as a plu- by Moretti: the first is that the quality is measurable- ral sequence. The sequence of spaces implies a move- representable; the second is that interior architec- ment and therefore a physicality, a corporeity that is ture is considered the primary aspect of architecture, never abstract but is “measurable” and involves four the one on which it essentially depends: parameters: “This “differential” research – Moretti “(…) There is, however, an expressive aspect that writes – is logically fully justified because it does summarizes with such a remarkable latitude the ar- not derive from absolute interpretations of spaces, chitectural fact that seems able to be assumed, even but from their comparison by means of parameters in isolation, with greater tranquillity than the oth- that once assumed remain, exact or not, always the ers: I mean to mention the inner and empty space of same. Therefore, set the four qualities, or parame- an architecture. In fact, it is enough to observe that ters, of the internal volumes, the analysis will focus

2 Spazio N°7, Rassegna delle Arti e dell’Architettura was an art magazine founded and directed by Luigi Walter Moretti. Published from 1950 to 1968 in Rome with a distinctly multidisciplinary attitude (from architecture to sculpture, from painting to cinema and theater, to archaeology and restoration), Spazio is one of the major specialist publications of project theory and creative activity. After 1953, the publications took on a rhapsodist character until they ended in 1968. To learn more, see also the authoritative comment by Ernesto D’Alfonso on the analysis of Moretti’s essay presented in the first issue of the online magazine Arc2 Città of December 16th, 2015. http://www.arcduecitta.it/2015/12/studio-di-spazio-n-7-l-moretti-strutture-e-sequenze-di-spazi/

3 Programmatically - as a “review of Arts and Architecture” - Spazio has dealt with Beauty in a structural and substantial way. The relationship with the artistic avant-garde and the new postwar trends such as futurism, spatialism, abstractionism, concrete art and in some ways also with the nascent kinetic art, is declared starting from the magazine covers (designed by the Italians Angelo Canevari, Alberto Magnelli, Gino Severini, and the Belgian Charles Conrad) always dedicated to art and graphics and content, in some cases with a monographic dimension and depth. For a complete picture of the first seven issues of Spazio, published between 1950 and 1953, it is possible to browse the online versions edited by the University of Roma Tre http://arti.sba.uniroma3.it/rivistaspazio/

26 fig. 3 Guarino Guarini - Cappella della Sindone (Torino)

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on them only. We will examine the sequences in the - perceptible and psychologically detectable in the differences that, between the volumes that compose unfolding of the differential sequence. them, are revealed by geometric shape, absolute The iconography and examples introduced by Moret- quantity of volume, density, energetic “pressure”. ti are of argumentative and logical syntactic efficacy The first two are differences felt intellectually, the but also of great methodological interest. In particu- second two intellectually and psychologically.” lar, the space analysed from its “negative matrix” is Then the author deepens clarifying the role of inte- powerfully analogue: the vacuum expressed through rior architecture and the nature of the parameters: the full form without the enclosure and the liminal “The links between an internal space and an archi- constructive masses offers a vision of the absolute tecture are infinite and very rigid; we can say that an interior. A new and extremely effective technique internal space has as its limit surface that skin on (especially if related to the current possibilities and which the energies and facts that allow it and form techniques of an architecture studio and experimen- it condense and are readable, and of which the same tation managed by students)4, where the air becomes space generates existence. But the internal volumes full matter and “explains” what happens in the re- have a concrete presence themselves, regardless of mote parts of the height of the buildings and where the shape and body of the material that tightens the moldings make the chiaroscuro vibrate and un- them, as if they were formed by a rarefied substance derstand the hierarchies. devoid of energy but extremely sensitive to receive The negative matrices used by Moretti in the es- it. They have qualities of their own, four of which, I say concern three different examples of se- believe, are revealed: the geometric shape, simple or quences of spaces: sequence by shape differ- complex; the size understood as the quantity of abso- ence, sequence by volume quantity difference, lute volume; the density, depending on the quantity sequence by shape difference and volume quantity. and the distribution of light that permeates it; the The first differential sequence describes the contigu- “pressure” or “energy charge”, according to the prox- ity of spaces extracted from the labyrinthine con- imity more or less looming, in each point of space, tinuum of Villa Adriana in Tivoli. In particular, the of the liminal constructive masses, of the ideal ener- sequence between Teatro Marittimo (Natatorio as gies that emanate from them. This quality is compa- Moretti calls it), Sala dei Filosofi and Porch of Pecile. rable to the pressure that in a fluid in constant mo- A fitting and refined extraction that captures one of tion varies depending on the obstacles, oppositions, the highest moments of the composition of the Vil- tapering that meets; or also the potential of a space la still can be experienced today despite its state of as a function of the electric masses that influence it.” ruin. Three very different elements – a round enclo- The internal volumes, therefore, are full of sure and an island in the centre separated by a circu- emptiness, ineffable matter but overly sen- lar pool of water (unsurpassed topos of the architec- sitive to receive energy and able to return it ture of the interior of all time), a magniloquent high through perceptual stimulation and bodily ex- apse hall with cubic matrix, and an extraordinary perience. The quality of the space is therefore: double two hundred meters ling and thirteen meters - analysable and “measurable” through the four pa- high porch – joined together by steps of calculated rameters: form-geometry (formal syntax quality), size carved symmetrically in the wall thickness of absolute size-volume (three-dimensional develop- the Sala dei Filosofi and the circular enclosure. Three ment quality), density-light (shape perception qual- perceptual conditions and three different and con- ity), liminal pressure-energy (quality of the articula- catenated psychological impacts in which the pas- tion of the fence). sages between elements play the role of compression

4 At the time of writing the essay, the models used in support of the same were made with plaster poured in the cast of the internal surfaces of the architecture analysed (the cast in turn had to be wooden as it would appear from the turning of the circular and domed spaces, and some joints in the hierarchies of volumes). Today they could be realized through a thermoforming blister, with medium high costs, that would allow the transparency; or with the 3D printer, cheaper for a university design studio; in case of the 3D printer two outputs could be obtained: the first with a powder printer that would return the materialization of the theoretical surface present near the liminal limbs with a counter-mould mode (empty inside). So, with a representation of the void materialized only in correspondence of its “skin”. With a material deposit printer (PLA wire) instead, in addition to the result expressed by the previous printer, you could have a honeycomb fill of the vacuum generated by default by the machine, useful to visualize a full/empty set able to give back a three- dimensional visible mass, placing the result halfway between the powder print model and the wooden one by Moretti.

28 before a perspective decompression. An experiential it of Brunelleschi, the Basilica of San Pietro, some promenade that highlights both the refinement of churches of Guarini, it seems clear to us that the in- the planning thought and the emotional response of terior spaces of these buildings, in which the great the Prince who runs it (ego-divus). act of architecture joins – act intended for the largest number of men – are, because of their premise uni- versality, sharp cut on the human spirit in what it For the other differential sequences and for some has of more elementary and constitutive. of the forms of representation, I refer to the original text of Moretti that cannot remain unknown for The great spaces of architecture were born in Rome anyone who deals with interior architecture. It is and are its magnificence. important, however, before concluding, to remember on which architectures the author applied the differential theory: San Filippo Neri in Casale Mon- ferrato by Guarino Guarini; Mc Cord House by Frank Conclusions. Lloyd Wright; the Palazzo Ducale of Urbino by Lucia- Pandemic as a regenerative no Laurana and Francesco Di Giorgio Martini; Pala- zzo Thiene in Vicenza by Andrea Palladio; La Rotonda opportunity in Vicenza again by Palladio (modified and finished by Vincenzo Scamozzi); The Basilica of San Pietro, Baselga di Pinè, Agosto 15th of the unsurpassed palimpsest in which realisation par- Annus Horribilis ticipated among the greatest ever, a kind of dream- team of Renaissance architecture: Donato Bramante, Raffaello Sanzio, Antonio da Sangallo, Michelangelo The pandemic, although being the basis of a series Buonarroti, Giovanni e Domanico Fontana, Giacomo of reasoning that necessarily cause reverberations Della Porta e Carlo Maderno; Palazzo Farnese by An- in the reflection on the nature and quality of the tonio da Sangallo and Michelangelo; S. Maria della interior spaces and their design, does not shift the Divina Provvidenza in Lisbon by Guarini; San Giovan- paradigm that is at the basis of the consolidated ni dei Fiorentini again by Michelangelo (project); to a way of seeing “within architecture” in the western less emphatic extent, Moretti’s Accademia di Scher- world. This is because – as I think – this reasoning ma al Foro Italico in Rome and Mies Van der Rohe’s affects quantitative and non-qualitative parameters, Tugendhat Villa in Brno. Only masterpieces… which are fundamentally centred on the concept of distance. The measure of the living space considered I am coming to end by simply adding, in the form acceptable in the Western world, obtained through of aphorisms, some passages of Moretti that in my a continuous secular mediation with the economic view are particularly significant for a project of dis- parameters of the building (construction costs, rent ciplinary re-foundation, where in addition to struc- land, urban planning, etc.) has atrophied to such a tures and sequences of spaces it is necessary to have point that must be regulated by minimum housing well in mind the reference examples, which every standards. With the size of a bourgeois house of the architecture student cannot have missed. Whatever 60s today we make two or three apartments. The per- will happen after Covid, regarding interior architec- spective depth of the interior has been lost and I do ture I would start from the contents of his essay and not think it will be possible to intervene on the current bring them in the school. I would start from the in- standards, which have now become the rule. Only a terior as a founding act… I would start from a theory few privileged people will be able to act on the stan- of architecture based on Beauty. dards and they will have access to a greater availability of space thanks to a greater availability of resources There is, however, an expressive aspect that summa- (but this has always happened). The paradigm shift, rizes with such a remarkable latitude the architec- therefore, will not be of a democratic type but, as al- tural fact that seems to be able to assume, even in ways happens in the face of possible re-founding isolation, with greater tranquillity than the others: processes, will be linked to the energies arising from I mean to mention the inner and empty space of an economic resources. All this, therefore, will not have architecture. any social impact on the quality of space and of the If we think of the Baths of Diocletian, the Holy Spir- interior architecture, which will remain confined, I

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fear, within a matter of more or less square meters. fully alternative - certainly elitist and certainly identity - all related to the world of visual arts and for- For this reason, if the pandemic is today an occa- mal theories internal to philosophical and scientific sion for discussion and for revaluation, rethink- thought, with particular attention to mathematical ing, re-founding the paradigm within which we sciences. And, above all, it develops a model of “para- have lived, we can only open to qualitative assess- metric” control of the quality of the internal space ments, and that is on the form of architectural and its perception based on the position of the ob- space and internal perception. And for this reason, server. Hence the second essential aspect: among the a re-founding reasoning on the form of the interior, four parameters – which are ad usum of the plan- as the one outlined above, has as its main objective ning thought – only one is mainly quantitative, that to introduce the theme of quality and therefore of of the size of the absolute volume corresponding to Beauty. And is for this reason that it is important the size/amplitude of the space. The other three pa- to recognize in Moretti’s parametric-differential rameters are of a qualitative-perceptive nature as theory of interior architecture the principle of a re- well as the general sense – and also poietic synthesis founding reasoning on the basis of quality and there- – of a project with a high differential content. The fore on Beauty as a realized perceptual quality. architectures and interiors analysed by Moretti Moretti’s essay, in addition to what has already been are in turn exemplary for their exceptionality, in- described above, is exemplary in two aspects that I cluding the most domestic such as the palace of consider essential. The first concerns the cultural and historical context in which it was written (the Montefeltro in Urbino or the Rotonda di Vicenza. Italian reconstruction of the 50s), a time of hous- Each of these is assigned a specific mode of spatial ing emergency due to the significant loss of housing analysis and perceptual path that does not refer stock due to the war events, and the new urbanism only to the classical instrumentation based on or- of the second post-war industrialization provided thogonal projection, but involves several abstract for in the Marshall Plan. In this context, the entire schematic articulations that have as their scope to militant architectural culture was engaged (and will isoform to the parameters expressed in the essay remain engaged for many years) in the comparison (from the static volumetric patterns to the abstract with the problem of popular housing, in the frame- two-dimensional descriptions of flows and mag- work of the new strategies of urban expansion and netic fields). That is to say, the difference against then redesign of the built landscape, which, more- the standard. This is the principle that I still con- over, will be devastated with the consequent crisis sider strongly current in Moretti’s proposal and of rationalist models. Moretti, for its part and in the that is to be placed as a basis for a post-pandemic theoretical perspective supported by the magazine reasoning – if we want to consider this condition Spazio, moves the visual angle from the rationalist and the Annus Horribilis in which it unfolded – as models of the project of the living space to frame the an opportunity for a review in qualitative sense of horizon of the great Italian historical architecture. It the interior architecture from the point of view of elaborates and essentially develops a model power- Beauty.

30 POST PANDEMIC INTERIORS - THE DESIGN INTERNS’ VISTA

WRITTEN BY Mani Makhija Student of IV year of Architecture of School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal, India

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Abstract

“This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”

he current quarantine state and global medical emergency is only the first phase of the COVID-19 virus. It is also, arguably, only a forerunner of the T cause of the future debacles. It will, as previous pandemics have, change the course of our lives. Tuberculosis flattened roofs and added balconies and terraces to houses. The sun was a cure. A few years later, too much sun started causing skin-cancer. The changing times seek dynamic architecture- spaces that can adapt to changing needs, to disasters, to uncertainties. The millennials are the most uncertain generation, twitchy and traveling, more global than any before. Observa- tions on how the interiors confine the rallying generation formed multiple dynamics dealing in- flexibility, automation, plant scaping, etc. Spring will bloom within the house as we design to stay ‘essentially indoors’.

KEYWORDS: HYGIENE, CONSCIOUSNESS, FLEXIBILITY, AUTOMATION, SELF-RELIANCE, MERGE

Introduction 2.a. Background:

The fourth year of Architectural Studies is dedicated to job-experience. Students travel far and beyond to intern at their dream office. After months of portfolio design, endless emails, and interviews, we reached our stations. The beginning was exciting, we were all spread across the globe, learning from the best minds, expanding our worldview. Unexpectedly, the coronavirus halted our wandering feet. We were now confined in the rooms we rented to simply sleep after a long day of hustle. Currently, there are some of us stuck in an unknown country amid the crisis- sometimes treated suspiciously in the foreign land. Few were able to return home, but are now stuck finding a functioning relationship in a house they left 4 years ago. All of us are trying to adjust to the gloomy shadow cast on “one of our most memorable col- lege experiences”. The paper seeks to highlight the problems and ideas of these creative minds as they transform their newly defined homes.

2.b. Research Rationale:

The pandemic is intimidating for everyone-the working mortal stuck at home, the mother with the suddenly unoccupied children, the healthcare workers, etc. Students, interns, travelers had their excitement for an adventure take a very unpredictable turn. It would be interesting to observe the way the future creators cater to their crowded time and spaces.

2.c. Aim:

To analyze and interpret the consequences of the COVID-19 on the interiors of millennial designers.

2.d. Research/Interview Questions: 1. How adversely is your zone affected by the COVID-19 disease? 2. Do you live alone/with your parents? What are the benefits/difficulties of your situation? 3. What are your favorite places in your home and what spaces do you feel uncomfortable in?

32 4. Did you introduce any special hygiene and health measures in your house? 5. What are the new features that you have added/or intend to add in your home?

2.e. Scope and limitations

The study provides an insight into the minds of the youth and how they alter themselves and their surroundings in and after the global pandemic. It is limited to roommates, colleagues, classmates, and other interns interacting via social media and emails.

Method

Qualitative data is collected through primary research in variable situations- single housing or shared housing. Owing to direct access to several students and interns, extensive research spanning over a batch of 80 spread across 10 different countries is carried.

Initial interviews start as a simple chat with friends leading to a more formal google meet interview, individually and all together, to make favorable connections.

The content is split into various categories based on a thematic analysis of the discussions and ideas.

3.a. Identifying the research basis

3.b. Literature study to observe trending interior alterations

3.c. Listing research questions and opinionated individuals

3.d. Conducting interviews and talk sessions

3.e. Analysing the data (Interpreting and identifying patterns)

3.f. Reasoning the common observations and adding personal observations/solutions

3.g. Generating a compilation of ideas and observations

3. Observations and Analysis

Some experienced observations are illustrated using a house plan of a 2.5 BHK inhabiting 6 interns in the city of Hanoi. It is used to formulate an idea of the 5 classifications of observations and analysis elabo- rated ahead. The categories allow to explore varying levels of reality and possibility.

4.a. Expansion of activities, time spent, number of people

Six students from three different colleges and cities moved in together in a 3 BHK flat in the city of Hanoi, Vietnam. Two months later, the people who spent 2 hours together suddenly began spending 24. Being stuck indoors taught us to become more tolerant of each other’s quirks, more understanding of personal space, and also to communicate openly. Now, the living space faces the challenge to accommodate all these revelations. The open kitchen has to be fitted in with an optional divider, to be brought up to drown the voice of the singing chef as we attend meetings in the well-lit dining room. The bay window pushed outside to increase storage is brought back to provide a recluse sanctuary to work/relax in. The tea table once hardly used gains central importance as a dominos effect of 5-minute breaks brings the household together.

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fig.1 The house plan of 6 interns in Hanoi, Vietnam fig2. The changes in the 6 intern house in Hanoi, Vietnam

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Looking into a five-person household in Dwarka, design of our interior spaces will now have more New Delhi with one open living space, each one outdoor connections- sit-outs, windows breaking had different approaches to exercise- gymming, open into mini-balconies, semi-open mezzanines, football, yoga, etc. The sofa was pushed to the etc. Spaces will be designed so we don’t have to give wall and earphones knotted together as they all up on either- our precious physical space or clean yearned to keep active. Flexible furniture can help break of fresh air. maintain an easier flow. Beds which push back into the wall, sofas which open into beds, folding 4.c. Consciousness tables-stools, etc. make the bedrooms a convertible sanctuary. We began to fade into the background of spaces, becoming one with work and furnishings. Newly After only spending a month of nights in a rented introduced to the fast-paced working culture of the one-bedroom apartment in the beautiful city of field; it was very easy to lose ourselves in the work. Nice, France, a friend only had the necessities in The office allowed us to be aware of our schedules- the scrunched place. Spending the quarantine in- simply by opening and closing, by lunch breaks, side made the space more personal, creating a new and an interactive environment. Inside the house, nostalgia. Our households will now hold evidence of work began a little late, but it spilled to the cooking our time inside- added cushions, mugs, plants. The hours, the dining areas, the bedroom. We took our interiors will accommodate these belongings for a work everywhere- sometimes lost interest, some- long time. Designated spaces may be designed to times lost ourselves in it. Separation of working and display some of our creations and collections. The relaxing hours and spaces is an experienced need. A added instruments of hobbies developed- spaces to study table has to be placed in front of the window, paint, play music, practice karate, etc. will also be- to keep a check on the time and surroundings. Few come a saintly state. Furniture will be introduced to distractions like a timed moonlight or Alexa alarms aid the new habits and lifestyle- carpets/soft-floor to create and maintain the schedule. patches, soundproof areas, mood painted walls, spill-resistant tables, and high/low chairs, etc. Visionary cues are also important. Alone or grouped in with familiar-unfamiliar strangers in a new place, 4.b. Connecting the outdoors to the in- it is important to be able to interact. We will forget doors our social cues and become even more awkward is a well-discussed fear of many. Festivities and planned ‘Genkan’ is the area of a Japanese household desig- interactions allow us to stay in touch with the calen- nated to leave shoes, dirt, and the outdoors behind dar and society. Online party furniture- disco lights, as one enters the true indoors. Add a disinfecting a quirky wall may be introduced. Benches that allow nozzle, or simply a basin/ sanitizer-stand in the us to feel the shape of another without being in con- area, and one can interact with neighbors, deliv- tact with them can be introduced - to feel warmth ery personals, etc. without being scared of polluting and brio. their homes. A separated drawing room and personal living area are normalized as we try to protect our space and privacy more than ever. 4.d. Automation

The green outside the window has to spill inside The revolution to bring health and hygiene to the to provide comfort and oxygen. Easy plant scaping forefront has just begun. Automation is the key to like mini-gardens, vertical gardens, or simple pot- unravel the spiral. We have always been pro-tech- ted plants became one of the top enthusiasm of the nology, the most actively lazy breed. Voice-con- way-fared generation. The need to be surrounded trolled lifts, doors, security will become the norm. by light and nature, to escape the sharp-edged walls Even a germ scan in the genkan or a temperature will be a major influence on our interior design. control machine is not a far-fetched idea.

Giving up on an in-house terrace, only to choose As we avoid contact, spaces will be allotted for one with more carpet area is a decision we regret- drone deliveries and the products will be cleansed ted in the second month of their internships. The before they come down the shaft to our kitchen.

36 Many of us still depended on domestic help in Moving back after four years in a hostel dorm, countries like India, Vietnam, etc. After living we also found a lot of clutter in our childhood without them, we realized our appliances need to homes. Most things are simply forgotten in update and are capable of replacing the help. An in- time. Decluttering was a widely-observed phe- troduction of the westerly normalized dishwasher, nomenon. As they emptied their cluttered, nar- Alexa-driven vacuum, and easy wash grinders, row spaces many also grew concerned about etc. will replace outdated equipment in the sink, the amount of waste produced. New spaces for broom-closet, and kitchen. Even the washrooms proper segregation within the house, to bury will be altered to a modern haven- with Japanese compost and even try aquaponics will be eagerly technology phasing in with its superior clean W/C introduced. Aquaponics is a great way to create and other installations to make the toilet the most a beautiful garden, a serene pond, and observe hygienic place in the house. Self-cleaning appli- harmony in nature within. This way self-reli- ances and health aids will be greatly added to the ance moves to a larger dynamic and benefits the interior setup. environment as well.

4.e. Self-Reliance Concluding Statement We became more independent than assumed in this new phase. We also became more creative. Many of us learned to fix our shelves, found sol- The interiors do not have to be drastically altered ace in cooking, building, and painting around the from open plans to strict walls. Our minds hold house. The house will see a shift in emphasized ideas to make the space more flexible- to achieve spaces. Suddenly the ignored kitchen will become safety while maintaining a connection. The new the most equipped and ornamented. Some might interiors can be imagined to have light spilling in add a workshop space to work on these newfound from various corners, sometimes buffered by the passions and even fill up the house with their fur- green inside as one works on his self-built table nishings. with his robot vacuum whirring in the distance. Inspiration and material will be found locally as we It is a space in which walls and furniture move as grow more aware to support local businesses. The much as living beings. There is no one right an- décor of our house will now be sorted in a few stores swer for the future of interiors and so it changes down the lane or even our friend’s new workshop. each time the question does.

References https://www.vox.com/recode/2020/4/14/21211789/coronavirus-office-space-work-from-home-design-architecture-real-estate https://www.forbes.com/sites/reginacole/2020/04/17/five-ways-covid-19-is-changing-the-future-of-interior-design/#62a10b032ee2 https://www.italianbark.com/future-interior-trends-interior-design-corona-virus/ https://www.dezeen.com/2020/03/25/life-after-coronavirus-impact-homes-design-architecture/ https://www.commercialinteriordesign.com/insight/46277-how-interior-design-can-fight-the-coronavirus

37 SPECTRUM OF SPATIAL MANIFESTATIONS IN HOMES, DURING A PANDEMIC

AUTHOR: Deepiga Kameswaran Associate Professor, Faculty of Architecture, Dr.MGR Educational & Research Institute Chennai.

CO AUTHOR: Anil Ravindranathan Professor, Faculty of Architecture, Dr.MGR Educational & Research Institute Chennai. Abstract

his paper is an attempt to retrospect the spaces in a home in the current scenario of a pandemic lurking large, changing life and the way we live. T The context of analysis and research is limited to that of a city in the Indian subcontinent with a specific socio economic background. The paper would observe at what made a home before and how the pandemic situation changed it. “One of the most important ways in which the built environment carries the imprint of society is in the way space is organized for human purposes, which lies in the achievement of appropriate and efficient function of the house.” ((Aspinall) Explo- ring space, people & time (pandemic situation) helps in understanding spatial dynamics & people behavior better. To explore this better the authors came up with a spectrum of spatial manifestations with which they could evaluate spatial usage in various degrees. The paper would further delve on the spectrum of spatial manifestation ranging from physical to psychological to virtual spatial manifestations. These were inspired by the works of Henri Lefebvre which are slightly modified to current times. Exploring the various layers of the spatial manifestations is to look at how the human use, respond and adapt in the spatial boundaries and beyond its boundaries. Understanding Indian homes then and now (past & present) also helped in asserting the choice of homes and people for a survey. An online survey was conducted based on the above mentioned context & spectrum of spatial manifestations with its parameters, among 44 people. Select live cases of the authors’ homes helped in understanding the scenario through phenomenological approach. Drawing conclusions based on the survey results in accordance with the spatial manifestations enables wide understanding of the present and future of lives within one’s homes. The research process further develops with the paper in exploring how people perceive the spaces and respond to it depending on the boundaries of various realms with their bodies and mind, singularly and as group. These understandings would help academicians and designers understand design better from a human centric point of view as well as throw light on how life continues within a home and how people utilize home spaces during a pandemic. The paper acts both as a retrospective and a prospective study in understanding design of future homes.

KEYWORDS: HOME, SPACES IN A HOME, SPATIAL MANIFESTATIONS, HOME INTERIORS DURING PANDEMIC, PERCEPTION OF SPACES, PEOPLE & SPACES, PHYSICAL , PSYCHOLOGICAL, VIRTUAL

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Introduction

t is believed that a house is transformed into a home by the family, making the house, an integral part of their daily lives, rituals, beliefs and activities. (Lawrence, . (1987).) In India the homes are I completely different from what it used to be. The rich vernacular roots and beliefs used to strongly reflect in the traditional homes. But in recent times with the migration towards city leading to skyrock- eting land price, homogenization has happened to the homes in India. Compactness due to land prices have also led to minimal semi open spaces and windows in modern homes. These factors further eradi- cated olden day practices of hygiene that was part of spaces in homes and people’s lifestyle. Work was a sustainable community driven practice in India and it was gradually subdued by the British colonial rule and its influences on education. Delving on home, spatial characteristics & family life, before and now, helps to draw understandings of past, present with respect to the current pandemic. This would help with learning and tentatively provide suggestions for the homes to be designed in future.

1. Space in a house [home] & its inhabitants

Spaces in a home were predominantly used for resting, refreshing and family bonding. But work was not greatly meddled at home until recently with the internet revolution, which brought in information to our doorsteps & connected us to the world. With family becoming nuclear and both genders pursuing career, home was predominantly used as recharge spaces for its inhabitants. In an Indian context city like Chennai the climate is hot and humid. The upper middle class people under study are the ones who exploit the energy in various forms, preferring air-conditioning in their homes, cars, theatres, shops, etc. The affordability of this category of people have led to the boom of malls, which brought – shops, restaurants, food courts, multiplexes, gaming, etc., under one roof. This is a typical hangout space for the mentioned study group, during the leisure time of the week and would be over crowded during week- ends. People footfall in malls directly implied the reduced amount of time one spent at home. With the pandemic outbreak, malls were among the first spaces to be completely shut off. In that context, homes are undergoing a never before transformation to adapt and assimilate the changes brought about by the pandemic, forcing everyone to be within the realm of their home. This transformation has given an insight as to how it may be possible to change the spatial- activity in new ways. Irrespective of typology, size and economic strata, this change is evident all around.

2. Family & House - Indian context & Limitations

2.1. The Indian Family

In India the concept of family is very strong and it could be called a bit rigid in its values, at times. Joint families prevailed in olden days where the extended family would live within the same premises. (Chad- da, 2013) This family type is still prevalent in quite a few cases today. This could increase the emotional strength of the microcosm, of the home they live in. In Indian context, marriage is a bond that keeps family going. Even today, a person is supposed to get married and start their unit of a family with children before they turn 30. Else the societal pressure would mount on the person. There are a very few who do not give into these pressures. This is one reason why the family is strong in an Indian context and maintains emotional strength during tough times. This can also be considered shortcoming at times. These views can be very subjective from person to person.

2.2. Hygiene in Traditional & Current Indian Homes:

The eastern tradition incorporates hygiene in their everyday lives as well as architecture. The planning of traditional Indian houses, irrespective of location, in India, maintained this sense of hygiene, by

40 separating the toilets from the main structure of the house. The habit of washing hands and feet before entering the home was also prevalent as a strong indicator of this sense of hygiene. They have spaces and spatial elements, exclusive for ablution & sun drying. The thinnai (semi open front yard), pinkattu (backyard), muttram (central courtyard), etc. (Vedamuthu, 31/01/2001) were meant for hygiene based on spatial use restrictions. They also tend to take a bath when they come back from outside. This backyard was used mainly for ablution including toilet, bathroom and wash area. Maybe an old pandemic left them with these hygiene habits. A specific caste group used to have high clothesline, so that none would touch the clothes. Even cooking was considered auspicious act and not merely a chore back those days. Disinfection using natural techniques used to happen every week. There used to be separate servant entrances. Some castes did not employ the servants. (Vedamuthu, 31/01/2001)With globalization and the strongly promoted global model of housing typologies, this practice became redundant. However, this practice has once again re-surfaced as a requirement throughout this pandemic. Before one enters the home, washing hands and feet has been advised as a first step of defense during this pandemic. But design considerations for the same are not defined in the modern day compact homes in India. The pinkattu (Tamil for Backyard) has become completely obsolete.

2.3. Work in Traditional & Current Indian Homes:

Caste system in India was based on their occupation. (Sonawani, 2017)The occupation used to be family run; hence a part of the house will always have work quarters in the front side. Thinnai (Front yard or foyer) and the portion of the front courtyard would be work areas within the houses. Later with the Brit- ish mode of education and the advent of offices in the 20th century, this caste based occupation system gradually declined. Caste system’s influences on homes are nil. Again globalization brought in housing typologies not original to the land and its context. This led to the workspace disappearing from the houses. With information revolution and work from home options of the recent years there is a gradual inclusion of workspaces in the middle and upper middle class families. A study or a workspace became part of the requirements in a select few houses, in current days. Again they were spatially characterless as result of the homogenized kind of work people do. Understanding the changing work traditions is necessary as work has moved to the modern homes. There will be more emphasis on comfortable work space design in homes during an unforeseen situation like this pandemic.

2.4. Limitations of the Research:

The research is aimed to study the families with (either one or two) kids, dwelling in the homogenized homes in suburbs of Chennai, India. The homogenized homes are apartments & multiple housing units within a premise. According to the Indian context a family is complete only when you have kids. The economic status of the people who were surveyed is upper middle class, as they do not face financial constraints for basic needs and with the support of internet and technology, they are able to catch up with their work, at the same time socialize virtually, keep themselves entertained, etc. They belong to a common social stratum. The main questions that were holistically addressed in the survey are: What does this pandemic mean to these people? What do they believe are the changes that they and their houses underwent, because of it?

3. Spectrum of spatial manifestations: Physical - Psychological - Virtual

Space (place) & people: What is place for, without people? People, who occupy a space, make a huge impact in how one perceives or uses that space. People, their minds & bodies perceive spaces. Exploring space with respect to its inhabitants & their perception, leads to a spectrum of spatial manifestations. Lefebvre in his work The Production of Space interprets space on three levels; physical, mental and social space. (Lefebvre, 1991). The three major manifestations of space are varied to analyze the homes in

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the current pandemic situation. Social dimension of the home has lost its dimension in homes, hence physical, psychological & virtual are the three spatial manifestations that the authors have put forth. Further by analyzing past and present of Indian homes, they further split each manifestation into relevant parameters. The following graphical representation throws light on the spectrum of spatial manifestations and its parameters.

3.1. Graphical representation

‘How does space get manifested in a home? How does one’s physical body react to the space, its boundaries and beyond? How does one’s mind react to the space? How does a person behave in a space when alone? Which space does one like (or use) more, in their home? How does one behave differently with another family member in the same space? How does a person react to all the above in the case of this pandemic? How much impact has the pandemic enforced in homes?’ With these intriguing questions in mind the authors set forth to formulate the survey questionnaire. People, their presence, their interactions among the others in the space in their home, uncommon scenarios like the current pandemic have huge impacts on the void within the built form. The authors also looked at their homes as live cases in a phenomenological way with respect to the spatial spectrum.

3.2. Unexpected scenarios & Infinitum factors in the spectrum

The unexpected scenarios can be child birth, loss of family member, etc., or in the current times a pandemic. These tend to change the dynamics of an existing spatial spectrum. The infinitum factors (BEYOND) could be the fenestrations, buffer spaces, open spaces, one’s gadgets. These tend to transport a person between various spatial experiences through its manifestations. Infinitum factors can cause comfort, relaxation, entertainment etc.

Illustration 01 – Spectrum of Spatial manifestations & its parameters in a Home – By Authors.

Illustration 02 – Spectrum of Spatial manifestations in a Home during a pandemic – By Authors.

42 4. Survey & 2 live cases

The survey was conducted among 44 people of similar socio economic background. Out of which 43 belong to the typical Indian family with children, living in apartments or group housing. The survey was conducted when the total lockdown was enforced in the city under study. All these findings are based on how the chosen set of homes and its inhabitants responded during the total lockdown situation. Many photographs are from the 2 author’s homes, as all they had were their homes to study. These photographs are a direct reflection of the spaces when in use along with its inhabitants. They are no way close to the aesthetics of magazine photo-shoot outputs. But they explain the lives better in a home and during an unforeseen situation like the pandemic.

4.1. Findings based on Physical Manifestation:

The wall, roof and floor planes demarcate the physical boundaries of a space contained within the planes. (Ching, 2007)

4.1.1. Physical – boundaries

People feel their space is enough to accommodate the new spatial needs. The boundaries of the physical manifestation don’t seem to bother the user according to the survey. The physical limitations never seemed to affect the everyday life, even if there is a pandemic scenario. It’s not the physical boundaries that restrict. Majority of them felt happy with their spaces. 88.6% of the responders in the survey felt they have large or ample amount of space to carry out their activities even during the time of pandemic.

In live case 01, Living and the dining room combined has become a makeshift space for morning walks to compensate for the restrictions imposed due to identification of Covid-19 positive cases, within the apartment complex. Restrictions include strict “no- walking/ jogging” instructions from the apartment association on instructions given by the Greater Chennai Corporation. (SECOND MASTER PLAN, FOR CHEN- NAI METROPOLITAN AREA, 2026 - Development Regulations, May, 2013).

Storage space requirement during lockdown has increased many folds to stock groceries, grains, snacks and other food items in lieu of possible shortages due to restrictions in transportation and freight movement. Time & space requirement in the kitchen has exceeded than usual.

Fig set 01: Live case 01 – transformation of spatial boundaries.

4.1.2. Physical - functionality

Managing & running the house with limited supplies & threat of disease spread through supplies has been of prime concern. Washing, sun- drying supplies & trying amateur ways of disinfection at home be-

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came the new chores. Excess emphasis emerged on hygiene and how we handle supplies that come into the home from outside. Balconies, terraces were all transformed to disinfectant zones. But still creative shuffling of functions in various spaces lead to better functioning of spaces.

In live case 1 & 2, bedrooms have doubled up as office space, study room, game room. Similarly their balconies now perform an additional function of being a temporary store for 24 hours to keep groceries, vegetables and other packed foods purchased during the lockdown/ pandemic so as to prevent any sort of spread of the virus.

Fig set 02: Live case 01 – spatial transformation for new activities.

4.1.3. Physical - qualitatively (can have a physiological dimension)

Comfort & wellbeing are the qualitative aspects of a physical enclosure. Air circulation, heat reduction, active means of cooling are all part of the person’s comfort levels inside a space. Thanks to certain byelaws which had left some open spaces within apartment premises & between blocks. This allows a bit of nature that is reachable and helps maintain comfort. Thermal comfort has brought in a few changes in the Chennai context, where mechanical cooling means are very prevalent. 36.4% of responders feel that there is a change in spatial usage depending on the thermal comfort. Also in Live case 1, bedrooms have doubled up as office space, study room, game room owing to requirement of air conditioning for comfort during the office work and study activities (study done during the summer season).

4.1.4. Physical – beyond:

Always huge windows were aesthetically described by passionate architects as an element which connects the outside world to the inside. Not just large openings, even a small puncture of a window had provided so much relief. Peeping out of the window and spending some time near the window have become a common practice these days. People have stopped and started experiencing the small things, which architects glorified all along, during the course of the pandemic and its subsequent lockdown. With real estate boom and price hikes by various agents a piece of land can cost a huge sum. Even for upper middle class people apartments or the group housing is the only solution. The balcony, the terrace, the foyer, the windows are all being used to its fullest potential. Activities like flying home- made kites, terrace walking, gardening, etc., have all restarted. This marks the infinitum that can be achieved by an opening or a boundary which leads to the nature (beyond our homes).

44 Fig set 02: Live case 01 – spatial transformation for new activities.

4.2. Findings based on Psychological Manifestation

Everyone had to keep up with their whole life and everything had to be done from home. This is a huge psychological task. The home is where happiness sustains, spatial quality do matters but psychological comfort doesn’t just evolve from the space. It involves various other factors.

4.2.1. Psychological - personal scale

Almost 52.3 % people are happy by being only at home, during this quarantine. And 63.3% of the responders feel their home is a happy sustained home. But for the 36.3% the home is either a space for mere co- existence or a space of clash. Though some values are tying down the people to stay together, it cannot really be called a home. These people tend to take some time out for themselves, to clear their heads and find their balance. They have some “me spaces”, for their “me time”.

4.2.1.1. Gender & Psychology

Predominantly men’s role in daily chores is very less, Indian society being a patriarchal society. With increased emphasis on education of female children, the typical middle class family comprises of both spouses working, and managing the household and the family. In this respect the balance is tilted, never the less, being less favorable to the female gender. Further, the sense of the patriarchy remains, as propagated by the family of the husband as the quintessential requirement of the ideal daughter- in- law. The scenario has changed in many houses, due to the pandemic. But some remained the same, where as usual the other gender (women) had to juggle everything. Women tend to be more emotionally stressed than men in the discussed context. Some for instance try coping mechanisms like combining hobbies like listening to music along with the chores like cooking, cleaning, etc. In case02 author had

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brought in Google mini to sync music from phone and listen to music while cooking. Cooking in India is a time consuming chore leading to discomfort & stress, even with multiple technological advancements. Lockdown shut out the possibilities of having help for chores. Cooks and maids are common in India because of the huge variation in the economic status. Without help author in live case 02 decided to blend her hobby with a painstaking chore extensively during the lockdown days.

Fig 04: Live Case 02 – overlap of the 3 realms aiding in comfort & wellbeing.

4.2.2. Psychological - one to one

With zero travel time, and relatively less work pressure there is a direct co-relation to reduced stress and better psychological wellbeing reported across all media. However, the counter arguments of increased domestic violence and cases of divorce have also been reported widely. (Rise in cases of domestic violence, 2020)Rise of strain in relationships can happen, similar to the rise of divorce rates in China. As China came out of the lockdown, lawyers saw a disturbing 25% increase in divorce rate. (China’s Divorce Spike Is a Warning to Rest of Locked-Down World, 2020)

4.2.3. Psychological - Whole - Coexisting as a family

80% of the people feel they have started spending more time with family than before. Invariable of the pressure of being within the same house, seeing the same family member for longer periods of time,

Fig 05: Live case 01 – bonding as a family with games.

46 family bonding does happen. 80% of this bonding is mainly because of the children present in the family who with their innocence and true nature, bond the whole family together. This is also directly relevant to the socio-economic stand of the person who can afford to work from home and doesn’t have any difficulties in meeting daily needs. As seen in live case 1, bonding happens through games, etc., especially where a child is involved.

4.2.4. Psychological - Beyond

The emotional refuge spaces are applicable for people considering living in a happy sustained home as well. They help one to reflect, retrospect and escape beyond the surrounding into their own worlds. It helped one to pursue their hobbies like reading, gardening, etc. But these refuge spaces that highlighted the “me – time” were all semi open spaces. These spaces dwell in the beyond character of physical boundaries.

4.3. Findings based on Virtual Manifestation

Imagining lives of the middle class and upper middle class people without the internet, gadgets & technology is impossible. So is imagining life in quarantine without the same. The virtual world though with a few drawbacks did help create awareness, keep sanity of people and ultimately helped people carry on with lives & connect with others. Home spaces have become a shrunk world.

4.3.1. Virtual – Awareness & Need

Select home deliveries were enabled even during quarantine to help sustain the basic needs. An Indian government app – Arogya Sethu, helps track our health and that of our locality. (Aarogya Setu app: Sur- veillance in times of coronavirus, 2020)

Fig set 06: Images (from survey) of refuge spaces created by inhabitants for spending quality ‘me time’.

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4.3.2. Virtual – Work & learn

Google classroom, zoom, WebEx, whatssap, etc., have helped to reclaim work and learning in the profes- sional & educational sectors. The educational sector explored these applications to its maximum, with webinars (free educational), group discussions, classes, assessments, etc. But this is a complete privilege which applies to the middle class and above, in India’s economic status.

Fig set 07: Live Cases 01 & 02 - virtual learning of kids happening in bedroom.

4.3.3. Virtual – Entertainment & Social Media (&Beyond)

Technology has shrunk spaces & reduced distances. Virtually it can still connect us to our friends on Facebook & whatssap. Group video calls on whatssap, duo calls, facetime have taken us across thousands of kilometers to family & friends. Entertainment options like Netflix, gaming, etc., takes you a step further and indulge a person for hours in front of the screen.

4.3.4. Virtual - Negatives (&Beyond)

The virtual world has the capability to engross one into the screen and forget their surroundings. When used in need and wisely it could take one beyond to a different dimension with innumerable possibilities.

Conclusion.

People, their minds & bodies perceive spaces. Home and its spaces cannot be predefined nor can the activities be predetermined. Studying how people of a particular geographic region with almost similar socio-economic status use, respond and adapt to their homes during a pandemic throws light on nuances of spatial manifestations that we otherwise oversee while designing. Through the research, interpretations & writings the process of the spatial spectrum has evolved to be the right amount of balance among the manifestations and its related parameters.

Balancing the 3 spatial manifestations can bring about harmony, even in an unforeseen situation like pandemic. These manifestations have overlaps. What one might consider a physical manifestation alone could have a strong psychological impact as well. The beyond factor, is where an infinitum allows the person to expand, cope, adapt and re-evolve in his or her home. For instance here in the author’s case a virtual component of a simple music casting device in a physical boundary of a kitchen helped cope with physical and psychological stress, particularly when overburdened dur-

48 Illustration 02 – Spectrum of Spatial manifestations in a Home during a pandemic – By Authors.

ing the pandemic lockdown. Every manifestation of the space is vital and how as an inhabitant we respond to them is what brings about balance of life at home especially during a pandemic. This paper is one such step towards understanding the nuances of spaces in home.

Bibliography

(Aspinall, 1. p. (n.d.). Spatial Configuration And Functional Efficiency Of House Layouts, iraq. Aarogya Setu app: Surveillance in times of coronavirus. (2020, May 17th ). The New Indian Express . China’s Divorce Spike Is a Warning to Rest of Locked-Down World. (2020, March 31). Bloomberg. Rise in cases of domestic violence. (2020, may 21). The Hindu. Chadda, R. &. (2013). Indian family systems, collectivistic society and psychotherapy. 55. S299-309. 10.4103/0019-5545.105555. Ching, D. (2007). ARCHITECTURE. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Lawrence, R. (. (1987).). What Makes a House a Home?. Environment and Behavior - ENVIRON BEHAV. 19. 154-168. 10.1177/0013916587192004. Lefebvre, H. (1991). Production of space. Oxford, OX, UK ; Cambridge, Mass., USA . (May, 2013). SECOND MASTER PLAN, FOR CHENNAI METROPOLITAN AREA, 2026 - Development Regulations. Sonawani, S. (2017). The Origins of the Caste System: A New Perspective. Vedamuthu, R. M. (31/01/2001). Social manifestation of house in rural Tamil Nadu a classification of type. Anna University.

49 HEALTHIER LIVING SPACES. ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AND SCIENTIFIC- TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION

WRITTEN BY Clelia Maria Bonardi Dott.ssa in Architecture Abstract

he “social distancing” imposed by the COVID-19 health emergency has forcibly triggered virtuous processes of rethinking the daily living spaces, called T to face several needs and functions – which often happen simultaneously - to be integrated with strict health restrictions. Human well-being, however, cannot be limited to his physical health and architecture, as an interpreter of the community needs, must contribute to the definition of future living spaces, especially through a multidisciplinary strategic approach.

This paper starts from some past experiences, albeit not strictly comparable to today’s pandemic, to provide both theoretical and design food for thought on the architectural and interior necessary transformations in the first place for safer and healthier and safer buildings and, at the same time, for a better quality and livabi- lity of the internal everyday life environments.

First of all, it is presented an in-depth analysis of some particularly smart architectural solutions developed designing tuberculosis sanatoriums, created in close collaboration with technical and medical field experts. The reference, more specifi- cally, looks at the strategic-technological design of the buildings “opening facades” as the only contact and relationship points with the external environment as well as the fundamental modulators of natural aeration and lighting of the interiors. Moreover, it investigates how the designers developed the distribution solutions for the safety of medical personnel.

The second part deals with the problem of overcrowded domestic interiors in relation to the current constraint in one’s own home, gathering design ideas to help make these environments capable of combining, and at the same time keeping separate in a single space, the function of living with activities as work, sport, health, study and even free time of the different users of the house.

A final reflection is devoted to the potential of a multidisciplinary design capable of giving value and integrating an “automated” sanitizing approach to spaces in architecture, based on models of scientific technological innovation.

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he lockdown caused by the Coronavirus liveability, but rather the fact that each room emergency forced the population, who provided for a sophisticated system of highly T usually spends about 80% of their day detailed and flexible iron and wood door-win- indoors (homes, offices, transports, shops, dows, capable of responding to very diversi- etc.), to spend 100% of their time inside their fied lighting and ventilation interior needs. In homes. particular, the large windowed walls, which can be opened in various versatile ways, could This constraint, especially if referred to ex- be rotated orthogonally to the facade through tremely prolonged time periods, emphasizes special rails, in order to become partitions on – first of all – the importance of environmen- the healthcare common veranda and define a tal health, not only from the point of view of series of private loggias, nonetheless in con- sanitizing the spaces – a topic that will be fur- stant communication with the others. It is an ther explored later -, but especially in terms interesting architectural solution to extend of natural lighting and aeration: the aim is private space and to relate to the outside and to preserve the body from unhealthy environ- the nature. Even if at that time this strategy ments that favor disease developments. Being was related to concepts of discipline and pri- forced to minimize the time spendable outsi- vacy, an adequate rethought could now take de domestic spaces brought the attention to on new features, especially in respect of the the need to design and develop capable solu- inevitable “social distancing”. In fact, during tions able to define environments so versatile and after a period of forced quarantine insi- that can become, alternatively, both indoors de an apartment, it is instinctive to think of and outdoors. An event like this prolonged combining housing solutions able to develop lockdown pushes us to reflect on the way we the equivalent of an outdoor space inside your should design and/or revisit our homes in re- home, like a small garden – a trend that will ference, for example, to the typological and be discussed later – or a loggia/terrace at your constructive impulse that occurred in respon- disposal. This example invites us to reflect on se to the architectural needs due to the tuber- the potential and importance of an adequate culosis infection – one of the most pressing strategic- technological design about the ap- health problems in the early 20th Century. The propriate realization of windows, verandas, reflections and the smart design solutions de- loggias and, more generally, of “openable fa- veloped in that case for the improvement of cades” as tools for the fundamental modula- buildings intended for the sicks can today act tion of light and air, as well as being the only as a model to be applied to our homes and communication bridge with the external en- habits, as well as to be translated from the vironment. original meaning to the definition of design solutions applied to the current historical con- A second interesting aspect of sanatorium de- text. It is therefore not a parallelism with the sign concerns the distribution solutions spe- pandemic condition, as well as a reflection on cifically developed for internal movements architectural solutions which should be dee- and strategically differentiated between the pened and declined appropriately through the so-called “dirty” and “clean” routes. The in- most recent modern knowledge and techno- ternal distribution system provided for diffe- logy. The tuberculosis infected patients’ need rent parallel corridors for doctors and patien- of fresh air, sunlight and hygiene has, as a ts: thanks to the solutions adopted healthy matter of fact, strongly influenced these spa- medical personnel could move safely overall ces architecture and interior design: by way the buildings and reach individual patients’ of example, it’s interesting to analyze some rooms independently. On the other side, pa- design features of the “Villaggio Morelli” sa- tients walked their spaces, from the rooms to natorium in Sondalo built in 1928 on Eugenio the healthcare common verandas, in comple- Morelli’ behalf (Teglio, 1881 – Rome, 1960), an te freedom, without risks to the staff’s heal- expert physiologist. The complex in Valtelli- th. Thinking about today’s urgency for health na, now partly abandoned and partly strate- security, an adequate analysis of these distri- gically reused for the rehabilitative isolation bution solutions can provide design ideas not of Coronavirus recovering subjects, was desi- only for new specialized medical departmen- gned through the close collaboration of archi- ts, but also for the management of all those tects, engineers and medical experts. The in- spaces involved in large population flows and, teresting aspect for this paper is not about the moreover, for buildings safety used for the pa- organization and internal distribution of the tients’ rehabilitation after intensive care and rooms of the complex, which are very similar asymptomatic subjects who tested positive for to hospital rooms with two rows of three beds the virus, such as hotels and restaurants. This each adequately outdistanced for the spaces would also make it possible to isolate certain

52 Sanatorium of Sondalo, interior view of a 6-bed INPS roomveranda (Archivio Storico AOVV, Presidio Ospedaliero di Sondalo) in D. Del Curto, Conservare l’architettura del XX secolo. Esperienze di tutela e riuso al Villaggio di Sondalo, 2014 p. 93. INNER MAGAZINE

rooms from others if necessary; a precaution versatile way to the needs of both the indivi- that may also be necessary within individual dual and the widespread situations of excessi- homes in the case of large family aggrega- ve crowded homes. The problem, in fact, does tions. not only concern the significantly increased smart working activity, but also the need to The sanatoriums experience also highlights agree it with family needs which are also very the importance for human health of contact different among children, students, workers with natural environments, both through a and the elderly, sometimes all at once in the direct or indirect use of greenery and nature: same house. In recent years, there has been it is no coincidence, in fact, that numerous an increasingly specialized smart offices desi- institutes for the care of this disease was bu- gn through solutions meant to make the work ilt close to the Alps. If the attention to the so- environment more dynamic and comfortable, called Biophilic Design and its use in business so that the time spent in the office does not spaces is a well known and increasing factor, make you regret the comforts of your home. these months of “social distancing” and home In the face of the health emergency, however, constraint have again highlighted the urgency with the spread of smart working, has beco- of a design that integrates green into archi- me evident the need to reverse this trend and, tecture and interiors, especially when there is on the contrary, to rethink domestic spaces no direct contact with nature as it can be in as so-called smart homes, environments ca- cities apartments. A significant increase can pable of combining, and at the same time of be envisaged around the theme of gardening keeping separate in a single environment, the and new ways to incorporate green plants into living function and work, sports, health, study homes. Indoor gardening and vertical gardens and leisure activities. This problem becomes are a proven way to reduce stress and improve even more urgent when thought in relation to indoor air quality. We should consider the po- numerous people forced within too small spa- tential in terms of sustainability and buildin- ces. The experience gained in the smart offi- gs energy efficiency of bioclimatic greenhou- ces, far from unsuccessful, can provide solid ses design and, above all, it can’t go unnoticed starting points, albeit not definitive answers, the increase recorded not only in the presence for this transformation, exemplifying solu- of plants and flowers on balconies, but also in tions for a versatile, multifunctional and te- the cultivation of vegetable gardens on priva- chnological environments, resulting from the te terraces and the benefits that this develop- combination of architecture, interior design ment implies for human and environmental and innovation. Over time, in fact, in the large health. Indoor cultivation, however, requires offices open spaces have been developed solu- the design of specific dedicated domestic are- tions able to optimize spaces flexibility, which as: small indoor spaces equipped with artifi- can now be revisited for home interiors. First cial light, air and water to grow vegetables. of all, the mobile partition systems, such as Biophilic Design and indoor cultivation could furniture elements, equipped walls and mul- go from being a trend to a real necessity. tifunctional panels integrated with acoustic If on the one hand, this first reflection inter- insulation technology, which allow to divide venes more on the relationship between the the domestic environment into independent building and the space that surrounds it and sub-units that can be quickly adapted to dif- on how to integrate nature within the homes; ferent personal needs. The prolonged qua- on the other hand, a second study must be rantine has highlighted the importance of addressed to the domestic spaces inside the privacy and isolation, not only for work, but homes themselves and to the change they are also for adequate moments of privacy and re- forced to face in order to respond in a care- lax. For this purpose, when the possibility of ful and versatile way to the needs of both the completely revising the layout of the house by individual and the widespread situations of dividing the large domestic open spaces into excessive household crowding. separate and independent environments, in- sulated sofas and lighting systems combined If on the one hand, this first reflection inter- with sound-absorbing panels would give the venes on the relationship between buildings possibility of carving out private corners in the and the space that surrounds them and on homes, answering to the individuals’ needs of how to integrate nature within homes; on the privacy, tranquility and concentration. Tech- other hand, a second thought must be addres- nology and wi-fi connectivity, fundamental sed to the domestic spaces inside the houses factors of smart working and home studying, themselves and to the change they are forced but now also of training – think, for example, to face in order to respond in a careful and of home trainers for cycling or smart fitness

54 The veranda of the Sanatorium of Sondalo. Photo by Lorenzo Paolo Rosa©, from Milan (www.loreph.it), taken in August 2018. FONTE: HTTPS://MUSEODEISANATORI.COM/GALLERIA/

Sanatorium of Sondalo, detail of the windowed walls rails. Photo by Alessio Gioana©, from Turin, taken in May 2017. FONTE: HTTPS://MUSEODEISANATORI.COM/GALLERIA/ INNER MAGAZINE

Descrizione del processo di funzionamento della fotocatalisi, in I.R. BELLOBONO, F. GROPPI, Photocatalytic membrane processes, and respective modelling, for removal of pharmaceutical residues in wastewaters. A case study with 2-[2,6-(dichlorophenyl)amino]phenyl acetic acid as model molecule, 2017. / How the photocatalysis purification works, in I.R. BELLOBONO, F. GROPPI, Photocatalytic membrane processes, and respective modelling, for removal of pharmaceutical residues in wastewaters. A case study with 2-[2,6-(dichlorophenyl)amino]phenyl acetic acid as model molecule, 2017.

equipment – and in the future more and more electricity supply. of health monitoring through telemedicine, must be increasingly discreet and integra- However, in addition to the potential advan- ted into partitions, seats, desks and in the tages of a strategic transposition of the offices structural components of the space. Another architectural and technological design solu- technology that was already spreading within tions inside homes, we must not lose sight of individual homes in recent years, but which some intrinsic risk factors in the remote work could now be revised and increased in the li- carried out from one’s home, especially if en- ght of the health crisis, is the one of voice con- gaged in everyday life in a sudden way and trols, which could be used on a larger scale, in conditions of forced quarantine like today. making it unnecessary handles and buttons On the one hand, in fact, smart working, the physical contacts. As a further consequence, only solution that can be adopted in this pha- we can hypothesize the growing diffusion of se of health emergency, favors the flexibility solutions that make the individual home in- of working hours, the independence of the creasingly independent from the surrounding worker and the quality of the final product, world: from spaces used as pantry and storage but on the other hand an inadequate planning to sustainable solutions for water, heat and of the house spaces declined as offices risks

56 undermining the fundamental balance betwe- and on points of possible social contact such en work commitment and leisure/domesticity as handles and lights buttons-switches, as time. We therefore underline the importan- well as smart toilets design, which is quickly ce of adequate hierarchization and strategic developing. These technological applications differentiation of domestic spaces in order to contribute significantly to the reduction of ri- face at least some of these problems and the sks not only inside homes, but also in realities need for work-free zones inside homes. such as offices, hotels, restaurants and more or less crowded spaces of everyday life. As previously said, in addition to the already developed design aspects, the coronavirus In conclusion, what we can draw from this presence obliges us to pay more attention to period of social isolation imposed by the pan- safeguarding environmental health from the demic emergency is a substantial theoretical point of view of the environments care and and design rethinking of the spaces of daily cleaning according with the issue of Indoor living, to be obtained through a multidiscipli- Air Quality, which is becoming of increasing nary strategic approach. Future architectural relevance. It is therefore an increased interest projects will be focused on the usability and li- in environments sanitation, from monitoring vability of the internal environments of daily the indoor air to water and air filtration sy- living and on the essential importance of en- stems, in addition to materials self-cleaning vironmental health, to be achieved both on technologies. In this context, therefore, the design bases and on scientific-technological architectural project will have to include tech- innovation models. niques such as the use of paints and/or photocatalytic membranes that use UV radiation to decompose the pollutant to substances that are not harmful to interior finishes and forced ventilation systems that are becoming increasingly popular. Another example is related to the PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) treat- ments of thin films to be applied on surfaces

Bibliography

AA.VV., Villaggio Morelli. La bellezza che guarisce, “Le Montagne divertenti”, n. 24, primavera 2013, pp. 10-31.

DEL CURTO, Davide, Conservare l’architettura del XX secolo. Esperienze di tutela e riuso al Villaggio di Sondalo, in L. Bone- sio, D. Del Curto, G. Menini (a cura di), Una questione di paesaggio. Il Villaggio Morelli e la Valtellina, Mimesis Edizioni, Milano – Udine 2014, pp. 85-111.

DEL CURTO, Davide, La costruzione della rete sanatoriale italiana, in L. Bonesio, D. Del Curto (a cura di), Il Villaggio Morelli. Identità paesaggistica e patrimonio monumentale, Edizioni Diabasis, Reggio Emilia 2011, pp. 189-224.

BONARDI, Clelia Maria, Uffici da vivere / Offices you can live ,in Lifestyle, Abitare, vol. 592, RCS MediaGroup, Milano, Marzo 2020, pp. 114-121.

BELLOBONO, Ignazio Renato, FORTUNA, Massimo Domenico, Anti-bacterial and self-cleaning ceramic enamels to obtain a liquid ceramic enamel, and photocatalytic ceramic membranes, Ital. (2014), IT 1407751 B1 20140507.

BELLOBONO, Ignazio Renato, Photochemical degradation of organic and inorganic pollutants by immobilized titania photocatalytic membranes, photocatalysts prepared by photoengagement on polymeric supports, Ital. Appl. (1994), 46 pp. CODEN:ITXXCZ; IT92.

BELLOBONO, I.R., GIANTURCO, F., CHIODAROLI, C.M., Pilot-plant photomineralization of volatile organic compounds in air, by photocatalytic membranes immobilising titanium dioxide and promoting photocatalysts, Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, vol. 6, 1997, pp. 469-474.

BELLOBONO, Ignazio Renato, GROPPI, Flavia, Photocatalytic membrane processes, and respective modelling, for removal of pharmaceutical residues in wastewaters. A case study with 2-[2,6-(dichlorophenyl)amino]phenyl acetic acid as model molecule, Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry, ScienceDirect 2017, pp. 69–77.

57 THE CHANGE IN INTERIOR SPACE AND THE CONCEPT OF WELL-BEING IN RELATION TO THE NEW CORONAVIRUS

WRITTEN BY Nilufer Saglar Onay Abstract

he spread of the new Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has greatly changed our ways of living until it has started to expand to countries all over the world. Iso- T lation and social distancing have become key aspects to stop the spread of the virus while homes have become extremely important as refugee from the outside world, a territory of protection, where all needs have to be fulfilled. Although isolated, it has become important to act together without slightest exception. How did all these changes affect interiors and the concept of well-being related to space? In a situation like this, how can interior design create solutions that can improve people’s well-being?

This study aims to evaluate the changes in the concept of well-being in interior space related to the new Coronavirus using the recently proposed well-being framework for interiors (Saglar Onay & Minucciani, 2018) composed of contextual, functional, psychological, social, sensory, aesthetic and ergonomic requirements. The evaluation of well-being requirements through this methodological approach will help to understand how interior design can respond to the changes caused by the Corona- virus and how interiors can support our well-being regarding all the requirements discussed through the framework. This can also increase consciousness about the multifaceted nature of well-being and its innate relatedness to interior space.

The temporary character of interior design becomes an advantage while we think about its capability to support human activity as human needs and expectations can change very rapidly. Regarding rapid change, the spread of the Coronavirus is one of the most significant examples humankind has confronted. In a situation like this, interior design has the potential to give faster responses and adapt living environments to new requirements.

KEYWORDS: INTERIOR SPACE, CORONAVIRUS, WELL-BEING REQUIREMENTS.

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Introduction From this perspective the health and well-being of all individuals and societies of the world depends

t is obvious that the spread of the new Coro- on other individuals and societies. So, the role and navirus SARS-CoV-2 is changing and will go responsibility of the individual as a part of the so- on changing our ways of living. This consid- ciety and the ecosystem needs to be re-evaluated as I we have seen that the path that has been followed erable change forces us to rethink living environments together with the concept of well-being. Even for hundreds of years has not brought positive out- if a vaccine or effective medicine can be found, the comes. Although well-being in itself is subjective fact of having experienced such a striking spread and it differs from person to person, at the point will cause constant transformations in our lives, that we have arrived it is difficult to think of in- as we will feel the need to be prepared for similar dividual well-being as a process independent from threatening circumstances that can hit humankind the rest of the world and independent from other in the near future. This need will necessitate reeval- people and other societies. uating the whole built environment starting from urban scale to interior scale. Well-being and interior space after the The new Coronavirus has been a great challenge for coronavirus humankind. During the last centuries, in western societies the role of the individual and its indepen- In this article it is aimed to discuss how might in- dence gained more importance while in ancient teriors respond to the changes caused directly and times the individual’s health happiness was regard- indirectly by the coronavirus in the near future. As ed as a phenomenon more related to the society. we still don’t know how the virus will evolve and Oliver (2020) discusses that the age of the individual how our responses will be shaped, future projec- must end and our world depends on it. The more tions are difficult to construct. Moreover there is a we see ourselves as discrete entities, the more likely lack of scientific research related to all aspects of we are to feel isolated and lonely and to show “self- human well-being related to the new Coronavirus. ish” behaviours. As a consequence, rates of anxiety Therefore, it is very important to start working with and depression are rising across the world, while methodological approaches. The recently proposed the climate and biodiversity crises deepen ever fur- well-being framework for interiors (Saglar Onay ther (Oliver, 2020). Recently also the Coronavirus & Minucciani, 2018) (Figure 1) handles the issue of has shown us the importance of the individual as a well-being in a comprehensive way structuring part of the society. We have seen that we can come all the requirements that contribute to well-being over serious problems only if we act all together. related to space. In this sense the framework can

fig. 1 - Well-being Framework for Interiors (Saglar Onay & Minucciani, 2018).

60 be used as a methodological guide to consider the the rest of the world. Functional requirements are changes, problems and possible solutions in inte- concerned with creating spatial solutions that sup- rior spaces related to the Coronavirus. port human activities. Psychological requirements are more indirect as they deal with the outcomes of Boyden, in his research in 1971, distinguishes be- the interaction between human and space. Social tween “survival needs” and “well-being” needs. Sur- requirements deal with the spatial opportunities vival needs deal with aspects of the environment for the level of interaction between people. Sensory that directly affect human health, such as clear air requirements are concerned with both quantitative and water, lack of pathogens or toxins, and oppor- factors like heating, illumination, acoustics, sound tunity for rest and sleep. Well-being needs, on the control etc. and their reflections on human senses. other hand, are more indirect in their locus of im- Aesthetic requirements are also important as they pact. These needs affect overall health through their refer to the integrity and harmony of all spatial el- relationship to fulfilment, quality of life, and psy- ements that can be pleasing to human senses and chological health. Where failure to satisfy survival can promote well-being. Ergonomic requirements needs may lead to serious illness or death, failure are more concrete and they refer to the relation- to satisfy the well-being needs produces the “grey ship between all interior components and human life” of psychosocial maladjustment and stress re- body and capabilities (Saglar Onay & Minucciani, lated illnesses. In this sense, protection against the 2018). new Coronavirus and similar diseases that can hit the human population can be associated with both survival and well-being needs. Connection to context

The well-being framework for interiors (Saglar Connection to context is the most important de- Onay & Minucciani, 2018) is intended to be used sign input that creates architectural and spatial both as an evaluation method for existing envi- identity by differentiating buildings/spaces with ronments and a roadmap for designing new living context related data. While we consider context of environments that can promote well-being. The a building, it is important to discuss two basic di- structure of the framework is based on contextual, mensions, which are location and relationship to functional, psychological, social, sensory, aesthetic surroundings (Saglar Onay & Minucciani, 2018). and ergonomic requirements, which are always in The new Coronavirus lets us re-consider certain as- relation to each other. Connection to context has an pects of connection to context such as gradual (or important role as the factor that makes every in- controlled) entrance (passage from public to semi- terior unique with its location and relationship to private and private space), contact with nature,

fig. 2 - Turkish house entrance space “Hayat” (Ulukavak Harputlugil & Çetintürk, 2005).

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natural ventilation, daylight, natural exposure to This necessitates handling the issue in an inter- sunlight, etc. disciplinary way including professionals working at different scales. Gradual connection between the interior and the surrounding environment is a key aspect in order Kellert (2005) notes that contact with nature has to carry out the routine cleaning and sanitization been found to enhance recovery from illness, that in living environments. The existence of a court- people living in proximity to open spaces report yard in the form of a semi-private and private fewer health and social problems as well as supe- open space and an entrance hall as the continua- rior quality of life and a stronger sense of place, tion of private interior space is very important in that office settings with natural environmental terms of organizing this passage. Vernacular living features improve worker performance and moti- environments of eastern societies are often rich in vation (Freeman, 2017). Kamitsis and Francis (2013) terms of these spatial organisations. The Turkish argue that engagement with nature, through both house can be good example for this gradual con- direct sensory exposure and a sense of connected- nection. The entrance called “Hayat” connects the ness, has been shown to have a positive effect on ground floor to private upper floors. The ground psychological health although the mechanisms floor represents the continuation of the courtyard mediating these effects remain obscure. In this and garden and all the sanitization and prepara- sense interiors need to get advantage of the sur- tion takes place here before going up to the inde- rounding natural environment as much as pos- pendent family rooms (Figure 2). The layout of con- sible. If not, another solution can be enriching temporary housing units in Turkey also respects surrounding open-air areas like terraces and bal- this general principle and they usually have a sep- conies with green arrangements or even creating arate entrance hall, which is left out of the circula- interior gardens. tion path that connects the rest of the rooms. Especially in home environments, the need for Another key aspect of well-being in relation to private and semi-private extensions is becoming context is contact with nature. A growing body of inevitable. We have seen that during the period knowledge supports the role of contact with nature of complete lockdown, balconies have become the in human well-being. In a situation of social iso- breathing places for people as their only concrete lation and stress like the one of Coronavirus, the ties with the outside world. Even before the Coro- healing effect of natural aspects is a very impor- navirus outbreak, the research of Minucciani and tant contribution to well-being. Regarding living Saglar Onay (2020) based on a questionnaire about environments contact with nature can be evalu- the importance of certain aspects of contextual ties ated in urban, architectural and interior levels. conducted in two different cultural contexts; Istan-

fig. 3 - Preferences for relationship to context, Italy and Turkey (Minucciani & Saglar Onay,2020)

62 bul (Turkey) and Turin (Italy) have already shown ing melatonin and serotonin, which regulate our that in both cities, large openings and outdoor circadian rhythms (Green Building Council, 2016). extensions are considered much more important than other aspects (Figure 3). So, it can be foreseen Functional requirements that with the effect of the Coronavirus, openings with deep perspectives and outdoor spaces will Functional requirements differ according to main become even more important especially in dense functions associated with interior spaces. For a neighbourhoods and city centres. certain interior, the functional requirements may effect the organization of all interior elements Natural ventilation and natural exposure to direct such as furniture, lighting etc. (Saglar Onay & Mi- sunlight are other important aspects that can be nucciani, 2018). extremely beneficial for the natural sanitization of interiors. According to Atkinson & others (2009), The Coronavirus will have different effects on lack of ventilation or low ventilation rates are spaces with public and private intention. For pub- associated with increased infection rates or out- lic interiors the most important challenge is on so- breaks of airborne diseases and high ventilation cial distancing and hygiene while for private space rates could decrease the risk of infection. On the especially homes the focus is on flexibility and other hand no information exists on the impact other aspects that have direct or indirect effects on of ventilation rate on transmission of droplet- psychological well-being. transmitted diseases like the new Coronavirus. According to a very recent research examining an The importance of social distancing is already be- outbreak of 2019 novel Coronavirus disease in an ing deeply discussed for the workplace and school air-conditioned restaurant in Guangzhou, China, environments. The organisation of furniture is a authors underlined that in this outbreak, droplet very important factor in determining the neces- transmission was prompted by air-conditioned sary physical distance for potential user’s intended ventilation and the key factor for infection was activities and their way of performing these activi- the direction of the airflow as samples from the ties. On the other hand it is obvious that the neces- air conditioner (3 from the air outlet and 3 from sity to increase distance between individuals will the air inlet) were negative for Coronavirus. In this require more space than before, which is not easy sense it is difficult to say that air-conditioning sys- to systematize in a very short period of time. Before tems can store the virus and spread it to the air. the reopening of schools in Japan, the Ministry of But the airflow created by the air-conditioner can Health released guidelines for school reopening be an important factor in carrying the virus to the which include maintaining physical distance (Fig- people who are on the airflow path. On the other ure 4). The ministry also proposed holding classes hand the same can be also valid for the airflow in smaller groups using several classrooms, pro- created by natural ventilation. In this sense it is viding boxed school lunches rather than having important to evaluate the issue with well-struc- students serve food to each other and avoiding tured research findings. group sports (Japantimes News, 2020, March 24).

Considering contact with nature it is also impor- Other fundamental changes will then be applied tant to discuss the importance of daylight in living in the organization of public interiors like shop- environments. On an emotional level, people en- ping centers, restaurants, cinemas etc. and also joy and feel a sense of well-being in daylight and temporary meetings like indoor fairs and festi- sunlight. Natural light makes us aware of the pas- vals. Public interiors in general are very important sage of time: the specific mechanisms of this in- components of well-being generating the ground teraction are not entirely understood, but our bod- for social and psychological needs. In this sense ies are naturally in tune with external light levels it is very important to define the measures that and characteristics. As well as the photoreceptors will enable their future involvement in public life. responsible for vision, the eye contains sensors, which detect the blueness of daylight. Therefore, Regarding the workplace, the organisation and the colour and intensity of the light that we experi- necessity of the open space remains as a question ence influences the secretion of hormones, includ- mark. It seems that working from home will be

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Figure 4: New pupils wearing face masks attend a welcome ceremony while maintaining social distance in Yokohama, Japan, on April 6, 2020. Source: The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images.

more common especially for work activities that and indispensible components. But now with the do not require place bonded production and getting effect of the virus also work related activities are together. This also necessitates the functional re- becoming essential for home environments. valuation of home environments. The research project Recoding Homes (Saglar Homes need to be more flexible than ever as they Onay, Garip & Garip, 2019) emerges from the idea need to answer to different functional needs of dif- that interior spaces can be differentiated accord- ferent family members. According to a recent re- ing to user needs and future inhabitants of hous- search (Minucciani & Saglar Onay, 2020) in home ing settlements can be provided with customized environments, spaces related to domestic activity and ready-to-live interior environments. Furniture sets such as eating, cooking, sitting, sleeping and solutions are an indispensible part of the design personal care are regarded as the most important model as they complete the idea of spatial flex-

Figure 5: Re-Coding Homes Research Project searching for modular interior design solutions that can be configured in different ways in order to support changing domestic activities.

64 ibility by allowing numerous configurations that support portant consideration for floor hygiene. The elimination of different activities (Figure 5). Such flexible design solutions joints and details with non-accessible surfaces is another can be useful in order to adapt interiors to different uses important point. It is also important to consider the innate especially when dealing with minimal interiors. So, with hygienic properties of materials used for surfaces that are the new functional expectations imposed to living environ- especially in contact with hands. ments with the Coronavirus, the solution might be applying Of course the ergonomic re-evaluation of interior compo- similar multi-functional approaches to interiors. nents do not only concern hygiene. The need for social distancing will also affect the overall design of furniture ac- Ergonomic Requirements cording to the related activities and the way of performing them. In this sense if the virus continues to be a threat for a The development of ergonomics followed two different ap- longer time, the design features of furniture and accessories proaches: one has its origin in health and safety, the oth- in public spaces and their layout will play an important role er in human performance (Koningsveld, Settels & Pikaar, in maintaining the necessary distance between individuals. 2007). Regarding architectural space, ergonomy can also be discussed in these two basic aspects including both the In home environments, the need for flexibility and the ne- appropriateness of all equipment and its efficiency for the cessity to rethink spaces for multifunctional uses will also fulfilment of human activity. Therefore, ergonomic require- affect the overall design and consequently the ergonomic ments in interiors are related to the connection between attributes of furniture. human and space, mainly including physical and cognitive aspects, which help to fulfil a certain task. While physical Social Requirements ergonomics relate to physical activity mainly concerned with human anatomical, anthropometric, psychological According to Keyes and Shapiro (2004), social well-being and biomechanical characteristics, cognitive ergonomics has 5 dimensions including social integration (the quality focuses on mental processes regarding interactions among of one’s relationship to society), social contribution (evalu- humans and surroundings (Salvendy, 2012) (Saglar Onay & ation of one’s value to society), social coherence (percep- Minucciani, 2018). tion of the quality, organization and operation of the social world), social actualization (evaluation of the potential and It is likely that the Coronavirus will also change many de- the trajectory of society) and social acceptance (construal of sign objects in terms of their ergonomic attributes. Especial- society through the character and qualities of other people ly in common areas, avoiding direct contact with hands will as a generalized category). Although they seem unrelated be an important design input. Especially for hand hygiene, to space, our activities promoting social well-being are di- sensing technology is an emerging evidence-based strate- rectly affected by spatial properties. The spatial aspects of gy. This understanding will not only effect the features of social well-being are related to qualities that enrich social sanitizing equipment but in time we will feel the need to life. In this sense, buildings should provide the chance for re-evaluate all interior features that support our activities social encounters at desired level for everyone (Minucciani leading to a more contactless way of interacting with the & Saglar Onay, 2020). On the other hand ‘Social distancing’ surrounding environment. Smartphone control for elimi- has emerged as the principal line of defence in humanity’s nating contact with switches etc., contactless bathroom fight against the novel Coronavirus. The rhetoric of ‘social technology, motion activated lighting, automatic doors and distancing’ has usefully heightened popular consciousness many other solutions that enable contactless interaction of how individual actions can affect population health, driv- will be more common. ing people away from spaces posing high levels of epidemio- The need for complete and easy cleaning will be another logical risk (Long, 2020). However, according to Long (2020), input for furniture design and interior details. A hygienic the current emphasis on ‘distance’ and ‘isolation’ has led furniture specialist company has introduced a new range to portfolios of measures so unpalatable that they may be of cupboard units designed to reduce cleaning times, whilst rejected as ‘unliveable’ by the very people they are designed eliminating trap points where dirt and contaminants could to protect, only coming to fruition if repressive state force build up. The design of more easy to clean, hygienic fur- literally coerces people to stay within their homes. niture will necessitate evaluating general geometric attri- It is obvious that the above-mentioned dimensions of social butes, materials, finishings and way of interaction with well-being are very difficult to obtain in a situation of social human body. For example the height of furniture from the distancing. If the state of distancing is defined for a limited ground especially for couches or kitchen units can be an im-

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time, it might not have serious effects on individu- still uncertain role of Internet in social interac- als. But if this period becomes longer and longer tion and well-being, recently Minucciani and Sa- and the end to it cannot be foreseen, the level of glar Onay (2020) have tried to evaluate the prefer- social well-being will most likely be affected in a ence of different social interaction types in home severe way. The use of social media can be evalu- environments through a questionnaire related to ated as a virtual way of social interaction and can social interaction through collective activities, the also contribute to social life if used correctly. Ac- communication of social identity and the possibil- cording to Shklovski, Kiesler and Kraut, (2006) In- ity for social interaction through Internet. The re- ternet adoption in homes has grown rapidly since sults of the survey showed that having rooms and the early 1990 and it is a communication technol- spaces suitable to invite friend, neighbours etc. ogy, with the potential to change peoples’ social in- is absolutely the most important requirement in teraction and one important implication of the In- living spaces (Figure 6). Communication of social ternet’s migration to homes and its predominant identity was the second important requirement use for communication is that it could change while social interaction through Internet was not people’s social interaction with their closest ties. regarded as important as others. In this case the According to the first national survey conducted in insignificance of Internet represents a stronger the United States by Katz & Aspden (1995), internet tendency towards spatial social interaction. This users had more total contact with family members strongly supports the idea that isolation and lack than non- users, and that they made more new of social interaction in longer time periods is not friends, including those they talked with or met sustainable and social media alone is not enough on the Internet. On the other hand, Kraut, Lund- to provide the necessary level of social well-being. mark, Patterson, Kiesler, Mukopadhyay & Scherlis

(1998) launched a longitudinal study of Internet use in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and they report- Psychological Requirements ed that participants who used the Internet more Self-determination theorists (Deci & Ryan, 1985, showed declines in face-to-face communication Ryan & Deci, 2000), maintain that well-being hing- with family, smaller social circles, and higher lev- es on the fulfilment of three basic innate psycho- els of loneliness, stress, and depressive symptoms. logical needs which are defined as: Regarding studies with different and even contrary findings, the effect of Internet on social well-being Competence: Seek to control the outcome and expe- is not very clear. Considering the important but rience mastery

fig. 6 - Evaluation of the positive effect of certain social contact types in living environments (Minucciani, Saglar Onay, 2020).

66 Relatedness: desire to interact, be connected to, activity can also be a kind of therapy that is sup- and experience caring for others ported by the interior environment. Recently, neuroscientists are learning that creativity has been Autonomy: desire to be causal agents of one’s own a survival function in the evolution of the human life and act in harmony with one’s integrated self. brain suggesting that opportunities for creative The most important negative impact of the Coro- activity are also very important for human well- navirus has been on people’s psychological well- being (IOM, 2007). Creative activity is often charac- being as it has increased rates of anxiety and de- terized by producing a unique outcome (Amabile, pression of the public. These increased rates could 1983), and it is likely to result in greater perceived very easily develop a potent psychiatric disorder control over outcomes (Eschleman, Madsen, Alar- over a long period of time. Isolation and wide- con & Barelka, 2014). Regarding the issue of control, spread economic damage caused many people to a great deal of research has shown that, for diverse become psychologically troubled (Ahmed, Ahmed, groups and situations, sense of control is an im- Aibao, Hanbin, Siyu & Ahmad, 2020). As the spread portant factor influencing stress levels and well- has caused uncertainty in economic and social being (Steptoe & Appels, 1989; Ulrich, 1991). Sup- life, it has negatively affected people’s ability to porting these views, Miller and Kälviäinen (2006), control outcomes. It had also affected feelings of discuss that designing for well-being is to design relatedness partially breaking concrete interaction the (metaphorical) space that enables people to ‘do and decreasing people’s ability to care for others well-being’ for themselves. and to be cared. Moreover it has negatively affected autonomy in people’s decisions and activities. Sensory requirements In this sense the innate psychological needs have become extremely difficult to be fulfilled. In a situ- Sensory requirements are extremely effective on ation like this the role of architecture and design is well-being. Ventilation, lighting, heating, cooling important but limited. and acoustics are issues to be handled with special expertise. Interior designers need to pay attention In terms of psychological well-being it is essential both on ways to fulfil these requirements and their to underline the importance of the home territory, effects on human senses. The qualities created by especially in a situation of obligatory distancing the use of materials can also be evaluated in terms like the Coronavirus. In terms of psychological of sensory input (Saglar Onay & Minucciani, 2018). well-being, home is different and more important than other territories because of its great potential Recently the importance of ventilation, the exis- to fulfil the three basic psychological needs. Act- tence of direct indoor sunlight, the probable nega- ing upon one’s own environment gives a sense of tive effect of air-conditioning systems and the achievement and control making home a place for effect of temperature levels have been discussed self-expression and for freedom of action. Home related to the Coronavirus. All these different di- also represents refugee from the outside world, mensions of well-being are to be investigated a place where one can control the level of social through well-structured research. On the other interaction and regulate the level of privacy and side it is possible to consider natural ventilation, interdependence (Meesters, 2009). In this sense indoor sunlight, appropriate humidity as positive home environments need to be designed in a way factors related to protection against infectious dis- that people will be able to reflect their ways of liv- eases. According to Moriyama, Hugentobler and ing and thinking. In this way it can be possible for Iwasaki (2020), relative humidity (RH, or Satura- people to build well-being for themselves in their tion Ratio: the state of vapor equilibrium in room very own territory giving them a strong sense of air) affects all infectious droplets with respiratory control, autonomy and protection. In a broader de- viruses, independent of their source (respiratory sign perspective, this also corresponds to visions tract or aerosolized from any fluid) and location and notions like continuous design and unfinished (in air or settled on surfaces). Humidification of in- design, which strengthens the connection with door air to maintain humidity to 40–60% relative identity or rather, a process of identification of ar- humidity at room temperature is proved to reduce ticulation of affect. Connected to this idea, creative infection rates. More recently, a study in Minneso-

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ta proved that humidifying preschool classrooms the manmade potential qualities of architectural during January to March to 45% RH results in a characteristics are transformed into “effective en- significant reduction in the total number of influ- vironment” on condition of being empowered on enza virus and viral genome copies found in the the individual conceptual level. Therefore, we can air and on objects compared to control classrooms understand the atmospheres as emergent from (Reiman & others, 2018). processes of making. That is from the encounters between people, materials and other elements of Materials can be also associated with sensory the environments of which they are part (e.g. air, requirements. The use of non-porous and easy light, warmth, scents). Atmospheres are not as to clean materials has considerable positive out- such products but they are produced or emergent comes in terms of hygiene. Some materials are ongoingly as people improvise their ways through even inherently antimicrobial, meaning they can the world (Pink & Mackley, 2016). weaken or kill the disease-causing organism before it can infect anyone. Biosecurity measures The works of Russell (1980) and Russell and Pratt during an outbreak like the one we are seeing now (1980), identifying the main affective responses will make use of antimicrobial materials, personal manifested by individuals in relation to their protective equipment, thorough cleaning routines physical environments propose a model of affect and vigilant waste management to reduce the risk that incorporates just two bipolar dimensions, of the virus spreading (Tan, 2020). Decisions about considered as independent, to explain the varia- materials have also significant importance as they tions in quality and intensity of environmental af- can affect all sensory input both physically and fect: the factors of pleasure and arousal, relevant psychologically. A change in materials can alter dimensions proposed by Berlyne (1974) in the ex- the feeling of a room, colour and the level of illu- planation of aesthetic judgements. According to mination as well (Minucciani & Saglar Onay, 2020). the research different combinations of pleasure and arousal create different aesthetic judgements. For example a situation that combines high levels Aesthetic Requirements of pleasure and arousal will be “exciting”; a situa- Aesthetic requirements affect the way people tion that combines high levels of arousal and dis- feel depending on spatial aspects, furniture and pleasure will produce “distress”; a situation that objects. According to IOM (2007), in order to be is very pleasant but not very exciting will produce healthy, people need an interesting and aestheti- “tranquillity” and, finally, a situation with low lev- cally pleasing environment, sensory stimulation els of both arousal and pleasure will be “boring” similar to that found in the natural environment. (Galindo & Corraliza Rodríguez, 2000). In a situa- Aesthetic judgement in interiors is related to all tion of stress, pleasure becomes important as it physical and sensorial aspects of space and it is can eliminate the negative effects of nervous- highly subjective and also based on cultural back- ness. Tranquillity can be a desired state of mind ground (Saglar Onay & Minucciani, 2018). regarding all the annoying circumstances related to the crisis. So, the pleasing effect of the interior The aesthetic quality of space is often associated to environment can play an important role in coping its atmosphere, which is defined as characteristic with stress. Regarding the evaluation of aesthet- manifestations of the co-presence of subject and ic requirements in living environments, Minuc- object by Böhme (1993). Böhme, argues that it is ciani and Saglar Onay (2020) have investigated the necessary to understand atmospheres not as sepa- pleasing effects of certain spatial aspects regard- rate from things and people. Thus, atmosphere ing the overall design of interiors including the de- ‘is the reality of the perceived as the sphere of its cisions about the spatial envelope (walls, ceiling), presence and the reality of the perceiver, insofar furniture (traditional, contemporary), colours and as in sensing the atmosphere s/he is bodily pres- the presence of natural elements and aspects (wa- ent in a certain way’. According to Pennarz (1999), ter element, interior garden, green walls) which atmosphere manifests itself as a double sided pro- might contribute to the aesthetic character of in- cess: the atmosphere of a room works on an interior space. The results were significantly marked dividual and conversely an individual projects his by the positive effect of natural aspects like inte- or her specific mood on the room. In this sense rior garden, plants and water element. The pres-

68 fig. 7 - Evaluation of the pleasing effect of certain interior elements in living environments (Minucciani, Saglar Onay, 2020).

ence of contemporary furniture (chosen by users being framework consisting of contextual, func- according to their tastes) was also regarded as an tional, psychological, social, sensory, aesthetic aspect that can contribute to feeling better in a liv- and ergonomic requirements related to living en- ing environment. vironments. The use of the framework to evaluate the changes in the concept of well-being related The question how the Coronavirus could change to the Coronavirus can help to identify the main aesthetic judgements and requirements about problems caused by the outbreak and the possible space might require specific research but it is im- solutions that can be developed in the near future. portant to underline the dialectic relation between space and its users. According to Galindo and Cor- Although it is difficult to foresee the changes the raliza Rodríguez (2000), the aesthetic response a Coronavirus will bring in the near future, envi- given environment may evoke would appear to be ronmental designers need to get prepared and an important index of measurement of this con- evaluate the situation especially through inter- struct that reflects the level of fit between physical disciplinary scientific research and observations. contexts and some of the principal affective needs Regarding the mission of interior space as the fol- of individuals in relation to them. So, aesthetic lower of life, it would be impossible to neglect the requirements are in close relation to people’s per- role of interior design on our well-being. Interiors sonal expectations and subjectively and culturally are the most dynamic components of the built bounded tastes. Thus, meeting aesthetic require- environment with their continuous tendency to ments necessitate active involvement of people’s change. The temporary character of interior de- own decisions about the environment which sign becomes an advantage while we think about might also be affected by fashion and changing its capability to support human activity as human trends. needs and expectations can change very rapidly. Regarding rapid change, the spread of the Coro- navirus is one of the most significant examples Conclusions humankind has confronted. In a situation like this, interior design has the potential to give faster In this study, the effect of the Coronavirus on in- responses and adapt living environments to new terior space has been discussed through the well-

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requirements.

The Coronavirus has underlined the importance of scientific research especially at the intersection of interior design, medical sciences and social sciences. As discussed above, the spatial attributes related to the well-being requirements in the framework, all have considerable effect on people’s health and well- being. Interiors mark out a domain that is controllable in the first step by the designer and in the second step by the user. This control mechanism needs to be structured in such a way that interior design creates the appropriate stage for living in special situations like the one of the Coronavirus and gives the necessary tools to the user to build his well-being.

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