Page 61 - Shashwat - Restoring Green Economy

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between the entry and habitable
areas that can be used as
sanitization buffer?

ƒ Why are verandas/balconies so
minimalistic in comparison to
covered areas, and those too are
turned into storage spaces rather
than being equipped for sitting?
ƒ Why was an air conditioner
installed in the window, which
could otherwise have been opened
to let fresh air in?
Amidst these brooding queries, the
usual functions of spaces had to be
manipulated to suit the shuttling
roles of being a “professional”
during working hours and
returning to the “personal” space
thereafter. Consequently, the
related experiences and meanings
also altered. The entrance doorway
which once welcomed our near
and dear ones became a point of
intervention and interruption. It
also transformed into a zone for
years (Düzen and Ekrem 2021). Its begging for more open spaces and sanitization and hanging masks.
transcendence from being merely a ventilation facilities in the safe The living room, usually reserved
“shelter” to a “home”, supposed to confines and privacy of our own for guests, was now thronged by
meet expectations of inhabitants homes. It also raised questions on the children for attending online classes,
of varied age groups, and rendering common attributes of a home which parents for online meetings, and
meaningful spaces to all, raised were earlier limited to the sense of the elderly to simply walk around.
doubts on the suitability of its spatial belongingness, desire, and privacy, Bedrooms became virtual offices and
articulations. and were now oppressed with feelings classrooms, while kitchens morphed
of fear, anxiety, and alienation. into quarantine areas as and when
Bruno Zevi summarizes the real Home, thus, became a place of required. The dining room lost its
essence of “meaning” and says, introspection, contemplation, and predominant meaning of sitting
“Architects intend meaning for what recapitulation. Many “What ifs” and and having meals together, instead,
they design; but users attribute “Whys” hovered over the home with it became multifunctional and got
meaning to what they experience”. the following questions on everyone’s converted to a workstation or even a
Therefore, the design of a home mind: play area for kids (Jyoti 2021). Open
should essentially respond to the ƒ What if a family member spaces – verandas/balconies – which
needs of its users, and be a clear unknowingly brings the virus were mostly designed to meet the
statement of their way of life such home and all fall sick? norms of building codes, became
that they become a “part of home” the only spaces for “safe social
rather than being just “inside home”. ƒ What if there is/are not sufficient interaction”. Those who were not
The pandemic brought with it the space(s) to isolate all family fortunate enough to have such open
law of inversion which rendered large members? spaces reached out to the windows
public places into unused hollows, ƒ Why isn’t there sufficient space to soak in the much-needed visual