Carmen Cordova

The prompt for my capstone project in the BFA Interior Design program was to address the concept of "sustainable maintenance." Sustainable maintenance in this context entails fostering social dynamics in which caretaking is shared within a community, rather than relegated solely to women—in order to dismantle women's role as defined by capitalist values and ultimately to lay a new foundation for an egalitarian society. Sustainable maintenance can inform the design of the built environment such that collaborative relationships are developed and power dynamics in the domestic sphere are modified or eliminated. I explored this phenomenon by focusing on three key elements. The first is the relationship of the building (and program) to the site—in this case, a key civic plaza in El Salvador. The space can serve as both a place supporting activism. The second is carving out and developing spaces to organize and support the work of women-focused organizations; for instance, I designed an exhibition space to raise awareness of women's issues, in which research-based materials are archived and showcased. In similar fashion, a council area provides space in which women can talk about their problems, share stories, and identify what can be done for and with the community. The third element is the reclamation of materials. I took inspiration from the tile of La Dalia and devised metal meshes that can be overlain in spaces to offer users greater privacy. In this way, I reclaimed the tile and reshaped its meaning and association with the building to serve its new social function.