Making a Home
The Construction of Both Material and Psychological Spaces
installation, spatial design, 2024
After my mother passed away eight years ago, I began moving around, living in various places, trying to find where I belong and reflecting on what the word "home" truly means. My family lost a fundamental pillar when my father passed away when I was 6. Since then, my understanding of home and the questions surrounding it have become deeply significant to me.
As a designer, I’ve contemplated numerous ways to express my thoughts on these issues, but some aspects remain unclear. This uncertainty is why I decided to explore this problem further and chose this topic. The concept of "home" extends beyond its physical structure and is deeply intertwined with our psychological and emotional experiences. For many, including myself, the childhood home is the first true "home," serving as an emotional anchor during formative years. If the places we live in later in life do not undergo the same process of psychological identification, it becomes difficult to call them "home" in the truest sense. Therefore, homes are not simply material constructs but spaces filled with memories and identity, profoundly influencing our emotional and psychological development.
In this project, I primarily examine the physical objects associated with homemaking that have helped me construct a sense of home and preserve my childhood memories. Through four specific objects/materials, I aim to share my reflections, findings, and memories of what "home" means to me.
Bricks are the foundational element in constructing physical homes, but they also carry emotional weight. They serve as the basic building blocks of the physical house and the home we come to recognise emotionally. Material elements, like walls and structure, can evoke memories and create a deep emotional bond. In Taiwan, the standard brick size (250x115x53 mm) remains common in the construction of houses, excluding modern high-rises. When stacked into walls, these bricks go beyond their structural function—they help form a psychological attachment, turning a house into a true "home." Witnessing the red bricks beneath the damaged concrete during waterproofing repair in my parents’ home revealed this connection, showing the "skeleton" of the house and strengthening my emotional bond with it.
The Bridge Between Material Construction and Psychological Identification
Bricks
Cardboard Boxes
Creating Temporary Spaces and Adaptability
After my mother’s passing eight years ago, I found myself moving frequently, always carrying cardboard boxes. These boxes became more than just temporary storage—they started to symbolise my transient living situation. As I continuously moved, they began to feel like an integral part of my space. Though temporary, these cardboard boxes contributed to a sense of home during periods of transition. This adaptability redefined how I viewed daily objects, transforming them into tools for creating temporary homes that fulfilled my short-term needs.
Concrete
A Reflection of Functionality, Efficiency, and Society
Concrete, widely used in Taiwan for its efficiency and speed in construction, holds symbolic meaning that reflects Taiwanese societal values. Despite its vulnerability to water leakage, its widespread use highlights the emphasis on functionality, low cost, and efficiency in Taiwanese culture. In this way, concrete becomes more than just a building material; it mirrors the values and mentality of society, much like the "concrete jungle" we often associate with urban life. These material elements, while functional, are intertwined with cultural values and personal experiences.
Light
Light plays an essential role in turning a house into a home. The simple act of turning on a light symbolises warmth and presence, transforming a space into a place of comfort and safety. The emotional significance of home is often tied to sensory experiences, whether visual, tactile, or auditory. In my childhood, seeing light from a distance reassured me that someone was home, filling the space with emotional warmth and transforming it into a comforting, familiar environment.
The Psychological Warmth and Symbolism of Home
Any interior space can accommodate people, but not all can be considered home.
When we speak of homes, we refer not just to the physical structure of a building but to the psychological recognition and memories associated with it. For spatial designers, understanding what makes a space feel like a home is crucial, as it represents the first environment we create and is deeply connected to our lives.
Due to my personal experiences, I have been on a quest to understand the true nature of "home" and how a sense of belonging is built. This inquiry is essential to my development as a designer, helping me process the loss of my childhood home and shaping my vision of future homes.
My education and experience taught me that psychological factors are fundamental to the design process. As one of the most personal interior spaces, the home is vital in helping us think creatively about homemaking and other spaces, such as offices. My upbringing and life experiences have fueled my curiosity about the concept of home, helping me find where I belong and broadening my perspective as a designer.
With an ageing population and declining birth rates, the definitions of home and family are changing. Some spaces may serve multiple purposes, while others may disappear entirely. Yet, the need for a place where people feel a sense of home and belonging remains constant. This is why the issue is so vital for society today.
As a designer, I aim not to provide definitive answers but to provoke thought. My work addresses home, family, belonging, and identity issues, encouraging viewers to reflect rather than consume ready-made solutions. Particularly in spatial design, there is no single answer to every problem. Instead, it’s about raising awareness and fostering long-term reflection.
In a post-pandemic world, where the movement has resumed, but minds remain closed, we must reconsider our views on home. My work will inspire empathy for those still seeking a place to belong, reminding us that, despite cultural differences, the essential elements of homemaking are universal. Recognising this can break down biases and open the door to new ways of living.
In conclusion, making a home is more than constructing physical buildings; it is a psychological process of creating belonging shared by all humanity. My work can continue raising these questions and offering public insights.
