Beyond identity, I'm drawn to the very spaces we inhabit. I'm endlessly intrigued by places breathing with human presence, where stories unfold and collective experiences take shape. The inherent character of a place – its architecture, light, and flow – subtly dialogues with us, shaping interactions and our sense of belonging.
These spaces are stages for our humanity: from the enforced intimacy of an elevator to the complex, re-imagined world of an abandoned luxury hotel now vibrantly occupied by hundreds. Each environment, intentionally or not, orchestrates life's rhythm. As urban theorists highlight, designing spaces for people fundamentally enriches urban life. Spaces aren't passive containers; they're dynamic forces nudging us towards behaviors, fostering community, or prompting radical re-interpretations of shelter and social order.
This profound connection between us and our surroundings is clear: we shape spaces, and in turn, they shape us. This continuous interplay, where the tangible meets the intangible, reveals a fundamental truth about our existence, underscoring the invaluable nature of every encounter within these realms, whether confined or boldly reclaimed.