Roots and Roofs; The Spaces Between

Representation and belonging have always been interwoven with one’s sense of place. But for most immigrants whose nationality and ethnicity do not align in a traditional sense, this feeling of home is often shaped by a process of assimilation, where belonging to a new environment becomes integral to a sense of self-identity. This built environment, reflective of sociocultural norms, draws on collective cultural conventions and understandings, often mirroring the dominant culture(s) of the host country’s demographic majority. However, this traditional methodology becomes, more complex as communities become increasingly multicultural. Often struggling to represent the nuanced and layered nature of identity within diasporic communities.

Thus, this thesis explores how placemaking, in the form of architecture, can better embody these nuances inherent to diasporic experiences within the context of first-generation immigrants – the children of immigrants who were the first to settle in a new country. Through design experiments and critical analysis, this research is a journey of discovery into how to conceptualise this unique perspective through architectural responses to diaspora and cultural duality. The findings reveal strategies that architecture can adopt to honour both the rootedness and the dynamic nature of identifying with a diaspora. This research proposes a framework for creating more inclusive and culturally responsive spaces that reflect the oscillating identities and experiences of diasporic communities. With the hope of creating a shared feeling of belonging across cultural differences, this thesis argues that reimagining architectural practice to consider a more dynamic understanding of identity can foster more inclusive spaces. Ultimately redefining the relationship between architecture and cultural identity within an increasingly globalised world.