Tenth International Conference on The Constructed Environment

Abstract

The project explores the relationship between a constructed space and a subject through the experienced space of privacy. By asking how an exposure to different forms of surveillance in public space affects everyday life experience of the subject, the study aims to understand the conditions of exposure that alters or limits the subject’s ability in experiencing the space. The frame for this study is based on Cohen (2008), which puts forward spatial dimension interests of privacy, measured by the losses of one’s ability to control the condition of exposure within the surveilled space. The theory, conceptualizing privacy based on value of autonomy and individuality, has not yet been put into test in a non-individualistic context, where the prevalence of norming process, blurred private-public lives and distance between persons, may play down arguments for the needs of privacy. Bangkok, Thailand, therefore make a good site for making such an inquiry into privacy beyond individualistic borders. The mental model-based methodologies will be used to envision how participants conceptualize ‘public space’, ‘privacy’ and ‘privacy-related concepts’ such as security, identity, persona. Theme and coding found in Oates et.al (2018), which are based on problem-based categorization, a taxonomy of privacy (Solove, 2006) and Westin’s four types of privacy violations, will be employed to analyze the notes, metaphors, drawing from participants. It is hoped that the finding will shed some light onto whether and in which forms privacy does exist, and its functions outside the individualistic cultures.