Symbolism in Building Materials

Abstract

The symbolic significance of building materials was used as a vehicle to explore theoretical issues pertaining to environmental symbolism. Four studies assessed the meaning and social symbolism inherent in six construction materials: brick, concrete block, weathered wood, stucco, flagstone, and wooden shingles. Data from the first two studies supported a symbolic interactionist analysis of material symbolism. The presence of different materials on the exterior of homes conveyed information about the social identity of the homeowner on three orthogonal dimensions: creative expression, interpersonal style, and social class. The final two studies explored cognitive mechanisms underpinning such symbolism. Results indicated that each building material was associated with a unique character or "personality" that became attributed to the homeowner only when the homeowner actively chose the material. Building materials may be regarded as having both intrinsic meanings and culturally relative meanings that homeowners employ in the process of defining social identity.