A Pilot study carried out on middle class houses of Colombo and suburbs to examine the manifested sociological phenomenon

Abstract

The topic suggested above is an outcome of a Pilot study carried out in the Middle class houses of Colombo suburbs, in Sri Lanka. A survey of houses was carried out within a period of forty- five days, which included a photographic survey, taking measurements, accessing drawings when available, observing and recording usage patterns, both in relation to space and user groups. This record enabled the author to commence initial enquiries about the apparent inter-relations between the spaces of the houses and between the various user groups in this sector, which was the subject area interested in to investigate. A detailed account of the sample of houses and the basis for its selection would be discussed in a later section of this document. This document is a working paper towards the topic, which raises questions and apparent issues about houses and homes of the middle class in Colombo suburbs, of Sri Lanka. To that extent it does not provide answers to any or all of the questions raised but is presented as a study proposal in order to clarify the way forward for the next phase of the research. At the outset of the Pilot study the focus of the research was much wider, as the intentions were to create a typology of middle class houses in Colombo and its suburbs. The intentions were to investigate a much more extensive sample for the final phase, which was statistically orientated. Although the Pilot study was initiated with this in mind, as a result of the findings of this Pilot study, the original research focus changed. From this wide focused, extensive study of making a typology the focus moved to a narrower, but an intensive study of the manifested phenomenon through spatial relations of the said category of houses. However, the context in which the study was undertaken in relation to the ideas and beliefs on houses and homes, and also in relation to the ideas of the experiential dimension of space remains the same. Hence it is appropriate to discuss such ideas briefly as the context in which this study is undertaken.