At Home Forum
University of Sheffield School of Architecture
November 11 2010 - November 12 2010
In the 1970s interdisciplinary research dominated the study of the home. There was in particular a close relationship between architecture and the social sciences as sociologists and others were called in to study the impact of radical new post WWII housing policies. In the 1980s cuts in funding brought the closure of many council run architecture departments in the UK and a serious reduction in research on the impact of design decisions on people. However several recent developments — for example the absence of any space standard legislation for new homes in the UK and the pressures of building for any ageing population - mean that more research is badly needed in this area.
The aim of this event is to bring together an interdisciplinary group of researchers who specialise in the study of the home. Speakers are asked to talk about the particular approach that they bring to the study of this subject and to speculate about the possibility of creating new blended methodologies for the examination of this increasingly significant area of research.
The questions to be addressed might include the following:
- What does it mean to be at home?
- How can interdisciplinary research inform the study of the home?
- What is the role of design research in the study of the home?
- What parameters need to be considered in attempting to develop space standards for new homes?
- Is it possible to make a care home for old people feel like home?
- How do immigrant populations adapt existing housing stock to suit their needs?
- Why do large house building companies design houses the way that they do?
- What, apart from a lack of financial incentives, is hindering the development of sustainable homes?
- What do home owners learn through the process of self build? How can the process of self build be facilitated?
- How might people’s feelings about their homes be documented?
- What, if any, is the role of the architect in the design of the home?
- How can we improve the way in which architects communicate with home owners?
- What is the impact of the media on the home?
Abstracts
Please submit abstracts of up to 300 words in length to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) by 10 July 2010. Proposals for workshops are also welcomed.
Decisions will be notified by 1 September 2010.
A selection of papers will be published Architectural Research Quarterly and Housing Theory and Society subject to editorial approval.