Designing a Home for Belonging: Fostering Intergenerational Connection and Community through Interior Design.

Abstract

In the Western world, where traditional social structures are increasingly disintegrating and loneliness is becoming a growing problem, the feeling of belonging is increasingly gaining importance. Elderly people, single-parents and children with instable family ties in particular can be concerned by social isolation. As a potential counterproposal this thesis explores how Interior Design can make a purposeful contribution to creating an intergenerational home environment that supports emotional needs and targets community building. The focus is on the question of how Interior Design can create a sense of belonging and foster genuine interaction across generations.