Nineteenth International Conference on Design Principles & Practices

Abstract

Interior design is not only transcended the portrayal by professional designers to delineate a home’s layout, but encompasses the influence of human interaction with space. The historical study of spatial design serves as a mirror reflecting the transformation of individuals and nations. This paper adopts a bottom-up perspective to examine the evolution of residential interior space design in China. Through the documentation of interior spaces via familial photography, the analysis delineates the morphological characteristics of domestic objects and the dynamics of their spatial relationships, thereby elucidating the paradigmatic shifts in interior design practices. Grounded in lifestyle and material culture theory, the investigation engages in interviews with 30 participants in the northern China, performing image analysis on the family photos, to discern the factors underpinning the evolution of domestic spaces. Since the 1980s, the lifestyle of the Chinese populace has been influenced by a confluence of political, economic, and cultural determinants. These transformative influences are manifest in the alteration of objects populating in the domestic spaces, manifesting as distinct area characteristics. This paper delves into the intrinsic rationale and determinants underlying the metamorphosis of objects within domestic spaces, offering an underexplored “object-centric” lens through which to comprehend the progression of modern Chinese residential interior design.