Downstairs : a home outside of home

• Main Author: Nurul Ashilah Abdul Latiff
• Other Authors: Angeline Yam
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: DRNTU::Visual arts and music::Design
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/67592
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The Housing Development Board (HDB) void deck is a unique architectural space in Singapore that is often used for hosting communal activities for residents. Recent years of modernizing newly built HDB blocks have had a significant impact on the void deck spaces. We see smaller void deck spaces over the years, and in some cases, completely omitted from the block design. In this study, an online survey that has been conducted amongst a sample population of 150 Singaporean youths shows that despite understanding the importance of void decks, these youths were still receptive to the idea of eradicating void decks and to simply replace them with other alternative communal spaces. These youths were more inclined towards being at ‘home’ than to utilize the void deck. Embracing the concept of void decks as a second home, Downstairs – A home outside of home is a social commentary project aimed at Singaporean youths in the hope of creating awareness on the social and historical significance of void decks - archiving the everyday memories and activities of void decks as experienced by a generation prior to them. The result of the research findings will take the form of a video installation as well as a series of publication. Each projected video frame amplifies an aspect of home by displacing it in the context of void decks. The editorial newsletter, on the other hand, holds facts and interesting stories of how these unique communal spaces are being perceived as a second home.