The interiorscape: amalgams and composites

Abstract

This essay will explore the implications of the reuse of existing buildings with which to make new interior space. It will advance the idea of the interiorscape: a fluid and dynamic landscape created by a series of particular activities, produced by agents in the field. I suggest that the interiorscape can be considered to be a spatial amalgam: a composite construct of historical, cultural and spatial formations. Interiorscapes are environments that are often devised for the realization of particular spatial identities for various forms of inhabitation, and are the result of a composite compound of both new and old material. In order to fully comprehend the interiorscape, this essay designates methods of reuse as progressions of integrative activities. These are processes that select, edit, reform, transform, and recontextualise existing objects, spaces and buildings. For clarity, Hegewald’s and Mitra’s description of reuse is employed. Based on their understanding of integrative processes, advancing the Interiorscape through the lens of reuse, leads to the origination and construction of what will be described as spaces that can be considered to be amalgams and composites. These are environments that, because they are constructed from many different elements, originated from numerous diverse timescales, they are what we term compounds: combinations of several distinctive physical and immaterial entities. All of which are amalgamated together, to forge new spatial meanings. This is the fundamental principle of the interiorscape. To conclude this essay, a critical underpinning of the interiorscape with the processes of reuse is drawn together, using various spatial exemplars with which to typify how scapes and amalgamated matter, produce unique compositely constructed interior environments. Entities, it is concluded, contain the fundamental principles of the conditions of interior space. This article is published as part of a collection on interiority.