Contemporary Interior Architecture and Identity of Home: Education and Practice

Abstract

This study aims to investigate contemporary interior architecture practice in a housing complex and possible reflections on interior architecture undergraduate education and professional practice. Another goal is to bridge contemporary interior architecture practice and the identity of home by analyzing cultural identity, personal interpretations, and place attachment. The study was completed within the Interior Architecture and Environmental Design program at Izmir University of Economics to support students' research based approaches to interior architecture. Each student had an individual research project with a different focus. This particular project focuses on the connection between interior design and personal identity in housing complexes. The case study involved comparisons, which are supported by visuals from a housing complex with houses in same architectural style and plan in Izmir, Turkey. Through a questionnaire with the users of the same housing complex in Izmir/Turkey, alongside analysis by photographic comparison of their living rooms as the most commonly used space, the study explores ideas about divergence between contemporary spaces and their users. In this way, it was possible to reach tangible data. Findings provide answers for space creation better fitted to users' needs that has implications for interior architecture education, as well as for the sector. This study showed that contemporary interior architecture could include issues related to personal or cultural identity. Through the questionnaire answers and visual comparisons, it can be stated that it is possible to apply various types of styles about the interior space within the same housing complex. Although participants claimed that they do not think they have similarities with their neighbors, it could be seen that age and gender range are similar and educational and professional profiles have common points. That is why adaptation to this contemporary site and the use do not show much variation. In general, differences occurred in visuals that can be seen as different use of interior elements of decor and colors in the space although the plan arrangements were the same. Moreover, the connection between interior design and personal identity were found to be linked in a matter of spatial identity. The results from the participants of same housing complex featured that there is not much divergences among the spaces, its ideas and its users. However, personal differences and subjective preferences occurred more about the context of spatial identity, belonging and happiness. The research study had multiple advantages that lead to pedagogical, educational, theoretical, and practical prospects.