Xiaoyu (Fiona) Lan

MDes Interior Architecture

Domesticating Duration: Pause, Fast-forward, Slow-Motion, Rewind

Inspired by the novel Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman, this thesis explores the subjective human perception of time. To break away from the monotonous product display model of traditional retail, the design transforms a four-story building into a novel experiential showroom infused with avant-garde exhibition qualities.

Using the "home" as a narrative thread, the design guides visitors through everyday domestic scenes—the bedroom, living room, bathroom, and dining room. These spaces are deconstructed into four distinct experiences of temporal flow: Pause, Fast-Forward, Slow-Motion, and Rewind. Guided by Peter Zumthor's Atmospheres and referencing relevant artworks, the design translates the abstract concept of time into a tangible environment directly perceived by the body through precise interventions in materiality, light, and spatial proportions.

Specific interventions materialize this concept: a floor covered in sand introduces physical resistance to deliberately slow down the visitor's pace, while a camera obscura creates an upside-down world to visually subvert physical common sense. These tactics naturally alter the visitor’s behavioral rhythms and psychological expectations.

Through this approach, the project blurs the boundaries between commercial space and spatial art, creating an immersive exhibition and experiential space with profound narrative depth.