Interior Architecture as Mediator of Experiential Influence: Establishing a Social Belonging for Disenfranchised Youths

Over the last few centuries, studies have examined the fundamental relationships between architectural form and its effect on human emotion. Interested in the interplay between architecture and human emotion, this thesis explores how interior architecture can be designed to positively influence human behaviour. Sacred architectural typologies such as churches and memorials use scale, light and shadow, reverberation, materiality, et cetera to engage the occupant with an experiential response appropriate to the sacred objectives of the environment. The intent of this thesis is to challenge how such experiential influences can be applied within non-sacred typologies. This research proposes that boarding schools, prisons, and low-cost housing projects are architectural typologies that could potentially provide significant benefits to inhabitants, if interior architecture is constructively engaged as a mediator of influence. More specifically, this thesis challenges how interior architecture may be utilised to enhance the sense of self-esteem, integration, and social belonging of disenfranchised adolescent groups. In addition this thesis aims to revitalise an abandoned 'disenfranchised' school, providing the principal vehicle for the design component of this study. Overall the research suggests providing multiple opportunities for socialised engagement whereby interior architecture, through spatial relationships, contributes to the solution in establishing a sense of self-esteem, integration and social belonging.