This project began as a deeply personal journey, rooted in the memories of my grandfather, Abujee’s room. Abujee had an extraordinary ability to breathe life into a space, creating an environment that felt intentional, safe, and welcoming.

But when Abujee passed away, the room changed. Without him, it felt hollow, stripped of the intangible warmth that had made it so inviting. The familiar elements were still there, the books, the soft light through the curtains, but the soul of the space was gone. This transformation was both unsettling and profound, making me wonder: What truly gives space its meaning?

This question led me to reflect on other spaces in our lives, spaces designed to be used, not felt. This reflection naturally led me to Marc Augé’s concept of Non-Places, spaces of transit, functionality, and anonymity that fail to cultivate identity or memory. These are spaces designed to be used, not experienced; places that don’t leave a mark on us, nor we on them.

This project seeks to reimagine non-places, not as voids but as opportunities for creating identity and sparking memory. My focus is particularly on healthcare waiting areas, which stand as quintessential non-places. Often cold, impersonal, and emotionally taxing for the users; patients seeking recovery or loved ones holding on to hope.

Inspired by the warmth of Abujee’s room, I began to ask: What if waiting areas could be transformed into spaces of care and connection? What if they could offer the same sense of belonging and comfort that my grandfather brought to his room? This project is an exploration of these questions, reimagining waiting spaces not as transient, impersonal zones but as environments that support healing, nurture relationships, and hold meaning.

Through this work, I aim to challenge the notion of spaces as merely utilitarian. Instead, I seek to uncover their potential to shape our emotional and human experiences, transforming even the most overlooked corners of our lives into places of warmth, identity, and care.