The interview with @unacarlotta about changing homes
Designing a home for oneself: from open space to the return of internal subdivision
The new way of living in our homes has led us to seek greater interaction or, conversely, a conscious isolation?
This is the interesting point of view of Carlotta Berta, @unacarlotta in the Instagram world, a civil engineer dedicated to the world of design, with whom we had the pleasure to chat and delve into the topic during our interview.
In the whirlwind of everyday life, balancing work, home, and relationships, there is often a need to carve out time to share with others. The forced cohabitation and new habits that have become part of many people's lives have flipped this need, instead leading us to seek out moments to spend individually.
In our column HOMING, changing homes, we interviewed Carlotta Berta, a civil engineer with a twist, as she defines herself, who in 2013 decided to pursue her passion for Design.
We asked her about her perspective on the new needs of people within the home, how her work has changed in recent months, and people's relationship with design. It was very interesting to observe the theme from a new perspective, discovering different needs from the trends we are normally accustomed to.
Need for Solitude?
"Aloneliness," or a "lack of solitude," as defined by Robert Coplan, a psychologist at Carleton University in Canada, is the possible chain reaction that the pandemic has brought about, especially in family settings where daily sharing of spaces has been an essential constant.
Just as the sense of connection to others and social interactions, inherent to every human being, so too does the value of solitude represent an indispensable condition for living a full and stimulating life. In this light, designing a home that respects the individuality of each person, especially within large family contexts, plays a crucial role.
Designing a home is transforming into a new necessity: no longer completely open spaces, but intimate and well-divided spaces that provide individuals with a break from the world and encourage concentration, introspection, and exploration of their creativity.
Just like in artists' homes, the design of a study or a corner dedicated to reading and inspiration is increasingly sought after, just like other areas of the home. Think of Stephen King locked in his study, where no one in the family had access, or Agatha Christie at work in front of her desk.
Carlotta, what do you think have been the most "difficult" habits to change and readjust within our homes?
Certainly, smart working has changed the approach to the perception of home, especially for those who were not used to working within the domestic walls and found themselves changing their condition, adjusting to a routine.
Another habit that I believe has been difficult to change for large families, rather than for couples living in not very large homes, was the obligation to be together for many hours a day without having spaces for solitude. Before, for example, even simply the commute to work could represent a moment to be alone with oneself. When you find yourself together all day at home, sometimes you miss solitude, isolation.
How is interior design changing within homes, and what are people seeking to meet their needs?
In the case of a family, people are seeking solitude spaces within their own home, singular and individual spaces. For example, within the living room, which is a very large and predominantly communal space, there is a search for an area designed for a single person, to be able to isolate oneself even just mentally from the rest of the family. Another need is comfort; whereas before the desk area might have been aesthetically pleasing but not very functional, now comfort is sought even in workspaces, which need to be effectively integrated into the home.
How do you think people's relationship with design is changing?
People are realizing how essential the home and well-being within it can be; especially those who did not have a well-designed home and were forced into lockdown. There is, in my opinion, a strong shift in approach towards interior design, with the home seen as an environment tailored to the habits of its inhabitants, where feeling good is fundamental. There is much attention to sustainability, air quality, the importance of light, and textiles. Regarding product design, there is certainly a new focus on bedroom comfort, relaxation areas, and chair ergonomics.
How can domestic environments and design help us socialize at a distance and maintain a high desire to survive difficult situations?
Certainly, we can work on home automation and the division of some spaces of the house, which also involve the exterior, with suitable systems; this is my institutional response. The real answer is that I hope there won't be a need for it anymore and that we don't have to proceed with searching for these solutions.
How has your work and activity changed in recent months?
There has been the possibility to overcome limitations: my work was quite flexible and on the move even before the pandemic. It certainly helped to legalize a series of online meetings and appointments, so if before each design step required a meeting with clients and a constant presence, the pandemic has shifted the boundaries. With the advent of online meetings and greater digitization, there has also been greater fluidity, a fundamental element in a complex job like design, which especially in the initial phase requires constant interaction with clients and suppliers.
I found that in home design, if before there was a tendency towards open spaces, especially requested by younger people, now there is a return to greater division of spaces.
Another point I noticed is a great attention to the bathroom, as a wellness room, a search for individual spaces especially within houses with many occupants, and then, certainly, a strong attention to the exterior. Most of my projects are houses with terraces or gardens where I am also asked for exterior design, which didn't happen before. There is, therefore, a new trend towards seeking greater outdoor spaces to reconnect with nature, as well as a search for greenery indoors and even caring for plants, as if it were a small ritual that becomes part of our routine.
In addition to designing homes and interiors, you collaborate with various Italian furniture companies. In a moment of crisis and adaptation, what values and characteristics do you think companies should focus on?
I believe we need to embark on a new search for experience, ritual. The product is no longer just an aesthetic element to showcase but becomes something that allows us to live small daily experiences. Furthermore, there is definitely a need for great attention to nature: this pandemic has brought greater awareness and attention to what the future of the planet is, and finally, we are all becoming more conscious customers.
