Dwelling Untitled: Exploration of inhabitation and atmospheres

Modernist architecture saw a deprioritisation of the body and its senses within designed space. Dwelling arose from the post-modern phenomenological turn, arguing against modernity and a shift towards the body. Through the use of dwelling people argue the position that modern architecture disconnected people from our places of inhabitation and was a mere container for lodgings. Theorisation of dwelling began actively questioning how we relate to the world and architecture. Architectural phenomenologists whilst not all, explored dwelling, actively prioritising the body and thinking about how people experience architecture. Dwelling can be understood as being in the world, relating to the world through our varying mobilities and interactions. This thesis asks the question of how architecture can create affective atmospheres to support dwelling through mobility and interactions. The research methodology of this thesis is design-led research, explored through two approaches: research for and research through design. This thesis is structured as follows: chapter one introduces the research thematic, proposition, aims and objectives, research methodology, scope and limitations. Following chapter one, this thesis is segmented into three sections: Part One, research for design; Part Two, research through design; and Part Three, research conclusion. Part One, research for design, contains two chapters: the theoretical context chapter and the case studies chapter. The theoretical context chapter outlines existing academic literature on dwelling and atmospheres. The case studies chapter looks at three precedents that follow the scale of the design chapters. The precedents were analysed in terms of dwelling and atmospheres. Part two, research through design, is explored in three design chapters as follows: installation, domestic scale of the home, and finally, public scale redesigning Wellington City Train Station. Each design chapter increases in scale and complexity. Each design chapter explored creating atmospheres through form, materiality, light and shadow to support dwelling by prompting interaction and mobilities. Part three, research conclusion: this thesis concludes that dwelling mobilities and interaction can be supported through architecture that uses form, materiality, light and shadow to create atmospheres, facilitating a relationship between person and architecture. Directions for future research are suggested.