In the modern world concepts such as a sense of belonging in urbanisation and architecture have drawn the attention of many. Belongingness is a complex notion, new to architecture yet to be explored. Everyone wonders how architecture can bridge this gap and help a user develop a sense of kinship with the place and call its own. It, therefore, becomes crucial to build places where one can feel safe and call his/her own, linking it to their hearts and nurturing that haven for the future. A sense of belongingness can be built by appropriately using cultural, social, and environmental considerations in designing a space.
Cultural Relevance (Do Not Use ALL-CAPS) (Use the first letter of the word as a Capital letter – for eg. Weekend House at Raigad)[Culture is deeply rooted in our values, almost becoming our habit. We are still linked to our traditions, and heritage hence we are making efforts to restore and protect what is left by our ancestors. One way of doing so is using local materials or traditional construction techniques. This helps in fostering spaces that represent the identity and history of people using them.
A perfect example is the construction techniques practised in Himachal Pradesh, India. In many regions, people still follow the old-aged construction technique of Kathkuni, building their homes with timber making them earthquake-proof and sustainable. In some places, people also use mud and stone where wood is not available abundantly. In the Kullu-Manali belt of Himachal Pradesh, people are seen using the ancient technique of Dhajji-Diwari to make their houses earthquake-proof.
In the interiors of Uttarakhand regions like Pithoragarh people still build their houses inspired by their local Koti Banal architecture, adding value to their heritage. These locals take pride in their local traditions and construction techniques and feel a sense of attachment hence, calling it their own.
Community Involvement
Making the community a part of the designing and construction process helps to instil the feeling of ownership and belonging in the space. So, people work more efficiently and positively to build a space they can call their own. In small villages where everybody is involved with every small activity, this practice is prevalent. To build a house the whole community comes together to construct that place and this helps in transferring knowledge and values as well.
An excellent example of community involvement is seen by the people of the Baha’i faith. Whenever any Bahai Worship house is commissioned to be built, people of this sect always contribute in any way they can to help relieve the burden of the people working on the site. Some would bring food, some would help by donating money for the construction while others help in arranging the construction materials, lending a helping hand to the architect as well.
Sustainability and Adaptability
Building spaces that can sustain themselves and remain relevant with time also represents the dynamic nature of the community to adapt to all the challenges thrown at them. Making spaces flexible according to the community and using sustainable materials can create a sense of belonging among the people
Symbolism and Storytelling
Construction materials, techniques, and elements all narrate a story in their unique style. This helps in symbolising important beliefs of a community and helps people create a strong emotional connection with the space. For example, in havelis or in any monument the karigar uses the motif of flowers like lotus, etc. making the flower of great importance in our culture. In Odisha’s Krushi Bhawan, the façade is decorated with the brick façade representing the Ikat pattern which is Odisha’s famous fabric print. This helped the people to relate to the building on a personal level. They took pride in the place calling it their own, again fostering a sense of ownership and belongingness.
Comfort and Accessibility
This is perhaps the most important factor as many architects and researchers tend to neglect this while designing a space. Making sure that a space is always accessible to its users, not just the younger generation but the older generation as well and physically challenged as well. Making safe bay areas not only for children but also for pregnant women and senior citizens also helps to create a sense of belongingness. This helps the people feel included and safe. The concept of universal accessibility opens a wide horizon of exploration. Its principles help us to become more considerate towards every person in this society and guide us to design buildings that are according to our own needs. This helps in creating a haven for everybody.
If the home is where a person belongs, I wonder how many abodes are yet to be called our own
