Spatial Inversion: Exploring Dialectical Relationship Between Urban Space and Interiority, and Its Impact on Individual Experiences

Abstract

The traditional boundaries between urban and interior design, dealing with public and private spaces, respectively, have been challenged, leading to a deeper exploration of the concept of urban interiority. Urban interiority extends interior design principles to public spaces, emphasizing intimate, experiential, and human-scale aspects. The 21st-century city is described as the "intimate metropolis," reflecting the importance of designing urban spaces for individual experiences and relationships. This paper aims to explore the process of exteriorizing interiority by translating interior qualities into the exterior realm, challenging conventional design boundaries. The research adopts an in-depth qualitative approach, examining spatial, temporal, social, and aesthetic concerns to make urban spaces more user-centric and inclusive. It seeks to uncover how interior design tools and strategies can shape the urban environment to be more responsive to individual needs and experiences. The thesis is divided into three sections: spatial condition of urban interiority, temporal aspects of urban interiority, and an analysis of 10 urban spaces emphasizing interiority. The results will contribute to a framework for designing urban spaces with a focus on interiority, ultimately promoting meaningful and impactful experiences for people who use them. Keywords: urban interiority, interior design, public spaces, intimate metropolis, user-centric design, exteriorizing interiority, spatial inversion, urban room, qualitative research, temporal conditions, theoretical concepts, design framework