Jelena Mitov is the co-founder of the Serbian architectural firm Modelart Arhitekti, author of the Rilak House project, which was nominated for the BIG SEE Interior Design Award 2018.
Building Home: What does “quality of housing” mean to you?
Jelena Mitov: Quality of housing highly depends of use value of a living space. This value depends on spatial and organizational qualities of space and is regulated by standards. Unfortunately, use value is frequently mistaken for market value and the mentioned standards are often replaced with market rules. Thus people buy and build their residences in accordance with market requirements and not their own needs. Some research shows that an average apartment buyer spends more time choosing a car than real estate. The result is that more than 60% of people regret buying a low-quality estate. I think this statistic is frightening, and it must make us think and act better about housing. Quality of housing can be raised through education of buyers and raising awareness that a good house is not the one that can be easily sold, but the one that makes us happy living in it.
Building Home: How do we build “home”?
Jelena Mitov: Home is much more than a shelter that protects us from the outside world. Building a comfortable and healthy house is of course important, but it is how we feel in there that makes a difference between house and home. Therefore it is crucial to think about home not only as a beautiful space that looks desirable on photos, but also as a space that shapes the life of its inhabitants. Here we have to consider many possible scenarios and changes in future. Home is not a static scenery but a living organism that grows with us. Hence the planning and building a home is actually a long-term strategy. It is not only about designing a finite architectural forms, but also designing of spatial relations and programs.
Building Home: What do you think we have learned so far, from home, from this situation generated by COVID-19?
Jelena Mitov: This situation reminded us how important our homes are and how vulnerable we are without a home. Luis Barragan once said that “we have lost our sense of intimate life, and have become forced to live public lives, essentially, away from home.” We always tend to go outside to have fun and enjoy life, to take a rest and recharge. But we forgot that we can do all these things in our homes, with our families. One of the silver linings of this difficult time is that we are discovering the perks of being at home again. Finally we have time to think about home decoration and furnishing, about new organization and home layout. Despite the social distancing, I think we will come out of this crisis connected more than ever – with our loved ones and with our homes.
Jelena Mitov was Speaker at the first edition of Building Home – International Good Living Forum, which brought together guests from 14 countries: developers and investors in the residential sector, builders, project managers, consultants, architects and solution companies.
Master Partner Building Home 2020 – Arabesque. Professional Partners: KONE, Rockwool, Alumil, Somaco, Danfoss. Partners: Knauf Insulation, Knauf, Alukonigstahl. Supporter and exhibitor: Skamol. Media Partners: Zeppelin, Igloo, SpațiulConstruit. Institutional Partner: Ordinul Arhitecților din România.
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