Decoding the residential interiors of architect Norman Eaton through Lefebvre’s spatial triad

Abstract

This study explores the potential of using Henri Lefebvre’s spatial triad as a qualitative decoding tool for architect-designed residential interior spaces. Five selected residential case studies by South African architect Norman Musgrave Eaton are decoded according to the three domains of this triad, namely Representations of Space, Spatial Practice and Representational Space. The spatial triad also organises the methodological triangulation of archival sources, photographic analysis, the phenomenological coding of resident interviews and questionnaires. The theoretical framework and historical context introduce the study, specifically focusing on the relationship between the spatial triad, Pretoria Regionalism as it relates to Eaton, and the components of interior architecture. Each domain of the spatial triad is explored as a separate chapter starting with the Representations of Space as the architect’s intent; Spatial Practice as the physical space; and finally, Representational Space as the user-interpreted experience. In these chapters the components of interior architecture in the associated data set are identified, examples of the identified components are compiled into a graphic compilation and subsequently themes and textures are deduced. It concludes with a summary of Eaton’s approach to residential interior space with associated examples of the components of interior architecture, as it relates to specific domains. The study confirmed that Lefebvre’s spatial triad can be used to decode architect-designed residential interior spaces, where each domain of the triad highlights unique spatial aspects not identifiable in the other domains. It emphasises that the components of interior architecture comprise the parts that make up an interior space, where the spatial triad has the power to define the relationship between the parts. The analysis of Eaton’s work also provides examples of regional translations of the universal components of interior architecture. Key words components of interior architecture; Norman Eaton; Pretoria Regionalism; residential interiors; spatial textures; spatial triad; spatial themes.