Bespoke is a word only some of our society can use when describing their kitchens. Bought in IKEA or as installed part of the house/apartment one moves into, kitchens for students is a space that just exists. We find it in accommodations or the houses we share with 3 or 4 more other students, usually strangers sometimes friends.
Communal living was an expression of the ideology practiced in the Soviet Union after the 1917 revolution until Khrushovs 'thaw' period in the late 50's. Artists and architects took the mission of supporting a helping communism flourish and expand have been designing experimental living during the 20s and 30s.
One such house has been called the Narkomfin house, inhabited by the architects who have planned it to test the ideology they have been planning for. Were the conditions not perfect?), and the experiment stayed at the stage, second world war changed the face of the social living separations. Yet Soviet propaganda of that time has echoed loudly into the future and today communal housing viewed from different angles, called by different names and described with other actions. The urbanized are has many of such; shared home, student housing, renting, subletting, airbnb culture, couchsurf.
The new media transformed this concept, shaping it into the new culture. Pinterest and DIY options create dreams, "next projects", a present for.., a post on your facebook feed, "white lie" reality on your Instagram story.
We disconnect and make new connections until absurdity takes over. The internet of things era, though is saying it will connect thing together. But will they be the right things for us to connect to? Have we even been asked what makes life easier for us? Or did that conversation have been dismissed? Made redundant u der the profit aim.
It isn't all evil, of course, a lot of the already affecting connected devices, are interesting, useful, help people and do connect them not only as data mules. But my idea of connectivity is zoomed in in its design. Localizing Iot should be in communities priorities. It is an up to date with the latest technologies way to create the old but good relationships as well as many tools with NFC and GPS.
Having fun and cooking.
Food connects people, and the kitchen is the designated area for this activity. Outside inside or in between.