Learning The Art of Dwelling

The motivation for this project emerged from my recent move from India to Glasgow. As I settled into my new home, my initial focus was on practical necessities—bringing in furniture
and essential items to ensure the house was functional. Once these needs were met, I turned to personalizing the space, adding pictures of loved ones, placing personal artefacts,
and introducing plants, all inspired by the Pinterest boards that I curated. The sense of accomplishment I felt as a first-time homemaker was profound, and I eagerly shared photos
with friends and family to celebrate the aesthetics I had achieved in such a short time.

However, this triumph was short-lived. After spending time in various Airbnb and hotels during this period, I returned home to find that my house felt indistinguishable from those temporary spaces. Despite the personal touches I had added, the aesthetics and interior elements seemed to replicate the same generic style. While my home was functionally and visually comfortable, it felt emotionally lacking—it no longer resonated as “my” home, it felt like any other stay.

This was a realization of how we as home-makers and/or designers when curating a home, our primary focus is on providing functional and visual comfort. This research, therefore, seeks to explore a third crucial facet—homeliness—that should be emphasized when attempting to dwell in our homes, to deliver spaces that are truly meaningful to the dwellers.

Martin Heidegger’s theories, particularly Building Dwelling Thinking and Being and Time, have been pivotal in my research, helping me understand the essence of dwelling and being, respectively. These theories were further analysed alongside Albert Frantz’s philosophical inquiries into science and art, and Dr Brian Little’s exploration of idiosyncratic beings and their power to evoke personal stories. Reflecting on these philosophies, I examined the homes through the lens of threshold and liminality, aiming to provide insights for users to embrace the art of dwelling to evoke a true sense of being within the intimate sense of home.

To gain a deeper understating of the dweller’s perspective on the living situation, I analysed the television show – Your Home in Their Hands and conducted a questionnaire with peers, who like me, are currently in the process of home-making after relocating from their home
countries.

These studies culminated in the development of various perspectives intended to provoke designers into rethinking traditional approaches to home design. These perspectives are thoughtfully conveyed through a short film, which seeks to bridge the gap between everyday users and the philosophical aspects of dwelling, using the ordinary acts of home living as a narrative medium. By challenging the conventional focus on aesthetics and utility, the research encourages a deeper exploration of what truly makes a space feel like home - homeliness. It invites designers to consider the emotional resonance of a space and to prioritize creating environments that foster a genuine sense of being.

In this way, the research not only critiques the current paradigms of home design but also offers a new vision - one where the essence of homeliness is central to creating spaces that are not just liveable, but deeply meaningful.