Pattern of life (POL) or behavior pattern describes a recurrent (e.g.,
normalcy) way of acting by an individual or group toward a given object or in a
given situation.
Considering that people may have recurring habits and behavioral
patterns in their homes based on multiple factors like age , sex, cultural
background, religion, rituals, genetic influences, associations , interests , ,
work systems, hobbies etc, it is possible to identify certain typical behavior
patterns that can be the basis used to create their living environments. An
attempt to decipher life patterns has been made in the book ‘Pattern Language’
by Prof. Christopher Alexander in 1977, where around 253 livability patterns
were identified within scale from Region
to individual homes based on contemporary readings of people and spaces mainly
in the western world. Another inspiration to develop the idea, is the concept
of ‘Emergent’ or ‘Self organized’ systems that let human beings to organize
themselves spontaneously in terms of social networks or physical orders.
The idea put forth is that, if data by families
regarding multiple patterns of their life and how they use
different spaces within their homes is analyzed, it may be possible to derive
space syntax
based on the social logic of people within the family. This gives unique
codes and ideas in terms of associations between spaces, furniture, building
elements and people that may formed as the basis of customizing various living
spaces in their homes.
The three broad types of variables at the intersection of which POL
could be understood are
1)
People – various members of the family
2)
Spaces & Objects – different spaces in the household along with the related objects like furniture
as well as temporary objects of use in various activities
3)
Activities – changing
associations between people and objects in various spaces
The POL
studies need to be understood for various spaces in the house not only for
routine daily life but also special occasions and situations like festivals or
lockdowns where they undergo temporary changes.
POL as the basis of creating responsive living environments:
The various fields where designers are involved
into creation of living environments have an approach where the spaces are
considered to be static environments frozen in time. Thus the visual feel of
the rooms, objects, furniture, light, color and finishes attain prime
importance. The linear approach where the designer responds to series of
requirements of the clients through various drawings and 3rd
dimension views ends up shaping a sculptural edifice where the users living in
the newly defined space adjust with time. The critical point at which
requirements are finalized is overlooked and the design is worked upon within
the available standardized alternatives of room sizes, shapes, fixed furniture
pieces, modular systems, movable seating, working and eating furniture, light
fixtures etc.
POL analysis gives unique patterns of life of different families that serve
as starting point to see design of living environment as flexible and
modifiable spaces. Homes are not
static entities but dynamic spaces where there are multiple patterns of
activities happening throughout the day. These activities and their patterns
also change contextually with respect to special occasions like festivals. Families may have their own unique patterns
of storing, cooking, serving and eating food. The kitchen platform and dining
table may double up for many things.
The recent pandemic and lockdowns where most people spent larger time at
homes used their living rooms, terraces, dining areas in more multiple ways
beyond the intentions meant. The WFH & SFH (Work / Study from Home)
activity were carried out in multiple ways and multiple spaces in our houses.
Apart from these daily activities, the Asian culture has multiple family events
and festivals where friends and family gather together to celebrate. The extent
of use of spaces in multiple ways is usually inversely proportional to the
average size of homes. Thus we find families living within frugal means in
smaller houses being compelled to use living space in multiple manners. Above all enforces a belief that homes and
living environment are more like living organisms which should have spaces and
living environment that respond to the ever-changing momentary reality of the
users. This logic is similar to the way we change user interface and apps
in our mobile phones for different purposes.
POL analysis leads to study and reorganization of multiple types of data based on the unique life of the inhabitants
and their family. The end result in such
a kind of an activity in terms of design and execution may not be in form of
typical spaces but may be in form of rooms and living spaces which allow
flexibility , incrementality and modifications in fixed as well as movable
objects , through which it may be possible to the end user to respond to their
unique patterns of life that are dynamic..
Hrishikesh Ashtekar
Architect Urban designer
