Browsing by Subject "Identity"
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Publication Restricted ADAPTIVE REUSE STRATEGIES FOR CONTENTIOUS BUILDINGS(2025) Al-Nahas, Nura; Stone, Sally; Ebert, Carola; Interior Architecture/Interior Design (MA) (Two-Year); Berlin International University of Applied SciencesExamining how historically loaded architecture can be reinterpreted without denying its past, this master’s thesis focuses on the example of wartime bunkers. Commonly perceived as reminders of the violence and trauma, these concrete structures oftentimes remain abandoned. Nonetheless, their mysterious presence and their unique spatial qualities evoke something captivating in the eye of the contemporary. Rooted in the dilemma of how to engage with architecture that originates from a sinister past, this research investigates how a reinterpretation of a bunker’s genius loci can inform the transformation and identity of contemporary spaces. Structured as a journey through four thematic “chambers“, this thesis first provides an understanding of contentious buildings, using bunkers as a particular of loaded heritage. Considering bunkers as a challenging site of intervention, leads in the second chamber to an analysis of their spatial, material, and typological nature, and explores their transition from wartime structures to cultural sites, supported by case studies of reimagined Berlin bunkers. A third chamber works out design strategies for building with the history, that transform the spatial identity, emotional atmosphere, and cultural potential of contested spaces, particularly bunkers. It includes an interview with a contemporary musician, Pablo Mirò, reflecting on creativity in isolation. In the final chamber, the master’s project “Shelter for Culture” is presented, which turns a Berlin Hochbunker into an expressive space for artists, without erasing its history. Rather than neutralizing the past, this master’s thesis proposes that meaningful transformation results when architectural interventions are grounded in the spirit of a place. Leaning on concepts such as the palimpsest and architectural memory, it proposes that new spatial identities can coexist with previous narratives, even with sinister ones. Layered, instead of replaced. Thus, bunkers become more than just relics of war; they become sites of a dialogue between past and present.Item Restricted Culture in Crisis : Cultural Identity Expression in the Built Environment(2022) Evangelia Choutea; Goodwin, Amara; Faculty of Architecture and Design; Berlin International University of Applied SciencesAI-GENERATED ABSTRACT: Abstract: This thesis explores the complex relationship between culture, identity, and design in the context of the modern world. It examines how globalization and societal pressures for homogeneity have impacted personal and cultural identities, leading to a search for authenticity and belonging. The study delves into the role of architects and designers in creating spaces that reflect and support diverse identities, while also grappling with the challenges of modernity and globalization. By analyzing current design approaches and considering the perspectives of cultural critics, the thesis aims to foster a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding cultural design in contemporary society. The goal is to inform and educate readers, allowing them to form their own opinions and contribute to the ongoing discourse on cultural identity and design. Keywords: Culture, identity, authenticity, globalization, design, architecture, homogeneity, modernityPublication Restricted Restoring Human-Centered Interior Design through the Vernacular Language of Ornamentation(2025) Milosevic, Tihana; Stone, Sally; Köknar, Sait Ali; Interior Architecture/Interior Design (MA) (Two-Year); Berlin International University of Applied SciencesThis thesis argues for the potential of ornamentation to restore human-centered design within contemporary interiors. It begins with the description of industrialization and modernist ideology that have replaced handmade qualities which are historically rooted in unique cultures which lead to a loss of beauty, identity, and emotional connection in the built environment. With the theories of Christopher Alexander, Christian Norberg-Schulz, and Peter Zumthor, the research sheds new light on the relationship between people, places, and design, ultimately emphasizing perception, beauty, and the genius loci as fundamental parts of meaningful spaces. Furthermore, two case studies, Adolf Loos's Villa Müller and Petra Blaisse's Casa da Música, illustrate the contrasting effects ornamentation has on human experience. This builds the foundation for the introduction of aemulatio as design strategy that connects tradition and modernity by transforming imitation into innovation. Instead of rejecting history, the concept of aemulatio allows ornament to evolve organically which enriches spaces in the sense of complexity and cultural continuity. Finally, the design project applies this principle to the interior of an Alpine farmhouse and therefore demonstrates how vernacular ornamentation can coexist with contemporary needs. In summary, the work argues that ornamentation is not an aesthetic excess but a living language that reconnects human beings with their environment through beauty, memory, and wholeness.Item Restricted Visual Languages of Belonging Amongst the Queer South Asian Diaspora of Berlin(2023) Rehmat Roop Zafar; Thoma, Sascha; Wittner, Ben; Faculty of Architecture and Design; Berlin International University of Applied SciencesAI-GENERATED ABSTRACT: Abstract: This thesis embarks on a nuanced exploration of the lived experiences of Queer South Asian diaspora, particularly situated in Berlin, driven by a personal narrative of belonging and identity. It delves into the transformative spaces of diasporic interaction, where tradition intertwines with new cultural nuances, and seeks to understand the complexities that queerness introduces in these spaces. The narrative underscores the significant lack of representation and the precarious sense of belonging experienced by queer individuals within the diaspora. It highlights the dichotomy between the conservative attitudes towards sexual diversity in South Asian cultures and the more open, albeit Western-centric, notions of queerness. Through a meticulous examination of visual signifiers in Berlin's diverse landscape, the thesis endeavors to unearth visual languages of belonging that resonate with the Queer South Asian diaspora. It ambitiously aims to synthesize these visual languages into a coherent visual identity, promoting an event fostering community and belonging amongst this demographic. The core objective is to bridge the gap between the diasporic identity and queerness, creating a platform of representation, acknowledgment, and collective interaction that navigates beyond the usual narrative of marginalization. Keywords: Queer South Asian Diaspora, Visual Languages, Berlin, Identity, Belonging, Representation, Cultural Interaction, Postcolonial Migration, Visual Identity, Community