The domestic entrance: a setting for boundary crossing, social interaction and individuation

Abstract

The purpose of this research report is to examine and explain the fundamental social and individual behavioural forces at work in and around domestic entrances. These forces are held to be inherent in the human condition and are marshalled and manifested in a variety of processes. It is within the context of these processes that the domestic entrance is examined. The major processes are, the process of boundary crossing, the process of social interaction, and the process of individuation. It is concluded that these processes can be broken down into six component processes. ~ The Entrance as a Formalised Boundary Crossing ~ The Entrance and Pollution ~ The Entrance as a Setting for Social Interaction ~ The Entrance as a Manifestation of Individuation ~ The Entrance as a Determiner of Privacy ~ The Entrance as a Promoter of the Realized Self These component processes are summarized at the end of the implications section. It is intended that they could be used by an architect preparing for an interview with a client involving a design brief for a domestic dwelling.