The housing appropriation process: establishing differences between fascination and satisfaction

Authors

  • Gabriela Morais Pereira Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina
  • Carolina Palermo Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Abstract

This paper analyzes residential satisfaction within the context of the housing units developed by the Brazilian State. Residential satisfaction is the culmination of the housing appropriation process and occurs during first years of the occupation of a new space. The concept of appropriation means providing new dwellings with meanings and representations related to the symbolic aspects of welfare, belonging and identity, thus transcending physical and satisfaction aspects. These perceptions are directly affected during the first months of the occupation as the result of emotions ranging from fascination (the new housing unit is regarded as better than the previous dwelling when in fact it is not) to great disgust (the new housing unit is regarded as worse than the previous dwelling when in fact it is not). Isolating feelings such as novelty or disgust from the opinion of users would enable researchers to identify the adaptation potential of spaces in relation to families and estimate real satisfaction levels. This paper includes a case study conducted in the housing developments built by the State in Santa Catarina, Brazil, over the last four years.

Author Biographies

Gabriela Morais Pereira, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina

Architect and Urban Planner, PhD, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Assistant professor at Santa Catarina State University.

Carolina Palermo, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Architect, Federal University of Pernambuco; MSc in Architecture, School of Engineering at Sao Carlos/USP; MSc in Architecture, School of Architecture, Nancy/France; PhD in Physical Sciences, University of Metz, France.Lecturer at Federal University of Santa Catarina