A third culture hub Maán (together)
| dc.contributor.author | Soni, Priyanka | |
| dc.contributor.examiningcommittee | Abdullaev, Umid (Interior Design) | |
| dc.contributor.examiningcommittee | Wang, Yuting (American University of Sharjah) | |
| dc.contributor.supervisor | Mallory-Hill, Shauna | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-09-12T21:58:11Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-09-12T21:58:11Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-08-26 | |
| dc.date.submitted | 2024-08-26T17:53:29Z | en_US |
| dc.degree.discipline | Interior Design | |
| dc.degree.level | Master of Interior Design (M.I.D.) | |
| dc.description.abstract | This practicum delves into the socio-economic and psychological landscape of Dubai, a rapidly expanding multicultural hub accommodating over 200 nationalities with its top-tier amenities and diverse lifestyles. It delves into the struggle of cultural identity experienced by both expatriates and locals amidst the cultural blend underlying its pseudo-cosmopolitanism. Despite the coexistence of myriad cultures in Dubai, genuine inter-cultural socialization and a sense of belonging are not assured. This project specifically targets the psychological and social hurdles confronted by Adult Third Culture Kids (ATCKs), individuals who have spent their formative years navigating Dubai’s evolving cultural milieu. It aims to comprehend their identity struggles and sense of belonging through a qualitative exploration of pertinent literature, translating insights into an interior spatial design concept tailored for the ATCK diaspora’s habitation. The project honors and acknowledges the unique experiences of dwelling in Dubai, from navigating through a melange of foreign languages and Arabic dialects to appreciating the juxtaposition of sandy streets, palm trees, and remnants of dates scattered on pavements against a backdrop of traditional low-rise houses and modern towers. It aims to tackle the loss of identity and disorientation among the ATCK population, exacerbated by the UAE’s stringent economic policies that create an environment where expatriates feel insecure due to the unattainable citizenship. Specifically targeting ATCKs aged between 25 and 35, who find themselves disconnected from both their home culture and unable to fully integrate into Dubai’s local culture, this practicum proposes the creation of Ma’an—a contemporary yet culturally relevant cosmopolitan center situated in the historic Al Fahidi district, re-purposing the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House Museum. This location, often overlooked yet culturally resonant for ATCKs, offers the potential for inclusive community space. Informed by the theory of Adaptive Re-Use, Ma’an’s design draws inspiration from vernacular building techniques, materials, and programming. It accommodates regional performances and behaviours of the ATCK community to promote congruence of lifestyles among its members, taking cues from scholars like Barbara Allen and Kenneth Frampton. Furthermore, Shawn Ginwright’s Healing Centered Engagement theory informs the centre’s programming to address the embedded identity related tribulation within the ATCK population. This sociological approach extends to interior design, creating a positive, layered, and dynamic environment where everyone is respected for their intrinsic human attributes, transcending ethnic, cultural, and economic differences. Ma’an acknowledges the internal conflict of belonging that ATCKs grapple with and transforms this into a celebration of their culturally agile traits through design workshops and healing-centered groupactivities. The learning center focuses on educating and embracing the transient Third Cultural upbringing, turning it into a positive attribute that Adult Third Culture Kids can leverage to function in a healthier and happier manner. Ma’an’s design aims to provide an evidence-based solution that fosters encounters, interactions, and engagement among ATCK youth in a judgment-free environment. By filling a gap in Dubai’s urban fabric, Ma’an acts as a bridge between nationalities, offering a space where a sense of belonging transcends citizenship. | |
| dc.description.note | October 2024 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/1993/38583 | |
| dc.language.iso | eng | |
| dc.rights | open access | en_US |
| dc.subject | Adult Third Culture Kid | |
| dc.subject | Adaptive-REuse | |
| dc.subject | Performative Regionalism | |
| dc.subject | Place Making & Belonging | |
| dc.subject | Healing centred Engagement Theory | |
| dc.subject | Dubai | |
| dc.subject | Interior Design | |
| dc.subject | Emirati architecture & design | |
| dc.title | A third culture hub Maán (together) | |
| dc.title.alternative | Adaptive re-use of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House to serve as a contemporary cosmopolitan center for adult third culture kids (ATCK) of Dubai | |
| dc.type | master thesis | en_US |
| local.subject.manitoba | no |