Thirteenth International Conference on Design Principles & Practices

Abstract

In usual sense, handling of the body in matters related to space design is ergonomics, dimensioning of space, or the user, as evaluator. A single standard for body, a single measure is adopted. Accordingly, the relation of standard body with the place or space is also evident. However, the body is an entity whose limits are fluid and is constantly transforming. Donna Haraway has opened up the limits of body with hybrid body/cyborg. If the human body represents a scheme, boundaries and ideal, the hybrid body is the opposite. The hybrid body performs in two ways, the first one is the association of machine and organism; and the second is the association of animals or other organisms and human. In this work, mythological bodies, which are seen in historical myths, are the best examples as they have the potential to be an example to the hybridization in the second definition, which shows only the ambiguous borders of the body beyond the representations of the stories in ancient times. The body which cannot be typed down, coded or limited is the starting point of the study. Accordingly we discuss how hybrid mythical bodies of ancient period have a potential in design as boundary changing entities and codes for space design to go beyond the visible physical space. In this way, the multi-dimensional dynamic structure of the space, which generally is perceived as a neutral and stationary background, is investigated and evaluated for future potentials.