We’re hard-wired for home and hearth
Home and Hearth
In his book, Inquiry by Design, John Zeisel discusses our hard-wired needs–for hearth, nature, sociability, safety, food and light. No surprise there, right? We all just finished decking our halls in a collective display that affirms the importance of each of these needs. We’re pretty fortunate in this country and the West in general, that we can seek out and successfully acquire many, if not all, of these elements.
What Homeowners and Home Buyers Want
I have spent much of my professional life working to enhance the experience of home and hearth. It’s my passion. And it resulted in the natural integration of both real estate sales and design into one business model. I approach the real estate component of RG-Homes with an eye toward making your home search, not just sensible and productive, but a meaningful merger of your finances and yours and your family’s spatial needs.
In the renovation and design business we are specifically charged with transforming our clients’ space in ways that meet the very needs highlighted above. The whole evolution of home buyer wishlists to include the kitchen as a gathering place–so different from the turn of the century when the kitchen was often a dark and cavernous space–is a reflection of the push to meet those hard-wired needs in contemporary ways. Everyone wants the ”open plan” and designers are asked to create spaces that enhance sociability, allow natural light, and evoke the hearth. And it’s work I love.
Missing a Home
Against this backdrop of fine-tuning our needs for home and hearth, is the astonishing reality of people for whom meeting those needs has been impossible. I cannot imagine what it would be like to lack the minimal protection of four walls. Never mind the provision of ergonomically pleasing space or access to nature and light. When I think of the time I have spent trying to create spaces with “soft geometries”, color palettes that cool or comfort, environments that welcome the interaction of the generations–all important and rewarding work–when some among us are without the whole package. It is simply stunning.
Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance
So here is group that not only advocates for those without homes, but has the research to show how permanent homes make a difference to people and communities in powerful ways. Not the least of which is savings, actual money saved when we focus on ending homelessness and not just managing it. I am so looking forward to adding my support to this work. Talk about rewarding! This is part and parcel of everything that moves me.
SNOW HAPPENS!
Check out the Massachusetts Housing Alliance at www.mhsa.net and learn more about them at www.rg-homes.com
We all want to come in out of the cold.
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