amylewisbodymind

[amylewisbodymind]

Final Presentation

With a brief introduction to our project by Gigi, we decided to start our presentation with a light hearted role play that depicted the scenarios that Ryan had encountered living in his current home. We wanted to show how disturbing it has been for him to adjust to the Dutch window culture and to express to our class that this was a relevant issue that we wanted to solve, not only for him but for a lot of expats which I think the role play depicted well.

I think the slidehow was well explained by Eliott and we managed to demonstrate the window installation system well. We probably could have rehearsed the demo a bit better so we didn’t miss any key attributes but we were keen to keep it short and sweet before the attention of our audience was lost. I would like to be more confident in presenting in the future as this is something I am not so great at. I always seem to get lazy in my explanation and expect people to just understand me or an idea without fully delving into the story to sell or help explain a concept.

I feel incredibly proud of what we have managed to achieve in such a short period of time and how we have share roles and responsibilities between us. Going forward I hope we continue to push ourselves next trimester and learn new methodologies and building techniques as much as we have this term.

[amylewisbodymind]

Final prototype making

Following our decision to focus on plastic (glass) and wood we created a series of patterns and textures that help to distort vision. I focused on capturing textures made with everyday objects where as Gigi and Eliott created their own patterns with plasticine. It was interesting to see the different effects the two approaches had on the distortion and it made me realise that because we have a range of methodologies we have found more varied outcomes. This way of working as a group allows for more diversity in ideas. Although I like the paired back aesthetic of the raw wood and clear colour of the plastic, if we had more time to develop this concept further it would be nice to see what the effects of colour may have on these materials and how the intervention will change. Eliott and Gigi did an excellent job in making sure the measurements of the horizontal and vertical panels were correct to fit the frame we had and Fanny did really well at producing the wooden panels. Everyone had a job to do and we all managed them responsibly so I am extremely proud of the team and how we all pulled together. I admire how reactive and responsive everyone can be to any given situation and can make productive suggestions and creative solutions in order to progress. I feel like I should learn to be more patient, empathetic and trusting in group project scenarios as I am glad I could rely on the team when I was struggling.

Overall, I think the intervention we have created satisfies the criterias we set out to achieve. There are still many areas that need more development such as the structure of the installation system in the window but I think the prototype successfully illustrates our proposal.

[amylewisbodymind]

Prototype development

Since our last interaction with Ryan and testing the prototype, we realised that we needed to simplify the visual aesthetic of our intervention. The intention of creating more privacy was tested through many different materials but eventually we decided to narrow down and focus on experimenting with two materials: plastic (glass) and wood.

We reflected back on our primary reasons for the intervention which was to provide privacy by controlling the public gaze whilst accepting and embracing the Dutch window culture through:

— Functionality

— Light

— Illusion

—Distortion

—Display

It is also important that the home owner doesn’t have to compromise on less light coming through their window. Based on this, we realised we can create a diverse range of textures that help to distort and create illusions for the public by vacuum forming clear transparent plastic. We can incorporate the feeling of different textures like fabric into the plastic. We haven’t had a chance to play with colour but for now it seems like it is efficient to focus on experimenting with how far we can push the distortion this way fro our final prototype presentation. Our choice to use wood for the horizontal panels are based on the desire to integrate a more natural feeling to the window area whilst benefitting from the material qualities such as strength, light weight and durable to allow the user to safely place objects on them that they would be happy for the public to see. It gives the user a physical platform on which they are able to showcase objects that the public gaze can view freely but still allowing the resident to be in control.

Feeling a bit deflated at the expert Bernhard Lenger not having real critical feedback on our propsal. Although superficially it’s good to be told our project makes sense and it is clear what our intentions are, it seems a bit unrealistic that there is nothing to change to improve on it. I understand that time is limited and we can’t expect someone to come in and make drastic improvements to our concept but it worries me that perhaps our idea is too obvious and not challenging enough? This seems to be the only comment I receive from tutors so far at DAE and I find it difficult to accept when they don’t explain how I could challenge myself more. I don’t know if it’s because I am doing OK and they have to say something critical about my work but I am noticing a trend in the feedback. I am a realist and perhaps that is hindering me from more radical thoughts. Perhaps I need to think beyond of what I know I am capable of. Maybe I need to set more unachievable targets, the point being not to set myself up for failure but to allow an opportunity for failure? I have a problem with setting unachievable targets because I don’t like to disappoint myself but I think this is the time to try this. Next trimester, maybe I’ll purposely fail it, not by not doing the work but by not following the rules so much.

[amylewisbodymind]

Lecture series: Anthropology, Social theory, Ethnography, Photography, Feminism

Over the past trimester we have had a series of really interesting lectures that focused around the above themes. The discussions were thought provoking for me and it has taken me a while to collate my thoughts together to arrive at the works of Daido Moriyama. 

His journalistic attitude to the vast urbanisation experienced by Tokyo post-war captures the changes in disintegration of traditional values and its affect on society and behaviours. The manner in which he captures the transition is raw and truthfully reveals the dark underbelly of city life where the themes seen in culture such as: social hierarchy, attitudes, relationships can be seen. His style and technique helps to emphasise the narrative revealed through a unique perspective that is rich in visual texture. I am happy to be reminded of his work and to be able to relate back to the lecture themese again in this way.

Also, I feel like his photography also touches on our group project subject of privacy. His works capture intimate moments of everyday life in the same as we encounter these insights into strangers’ lives as we walk past their open window. Whether it’s a brief passing view into someone’s house or a more detailed observation, you are only getting a small snapshot of their lives and I like how our translation of what we see through window similar to Daido Moriyama’s photographs. 

[amylewisbodymind]

Making and testing the prototype

We made a smaller version of our original prototype so we can place it in situ at Ryan’s place without disrupting his home too much. Having measured his window sill depth (which we have assumed is a standard depth in Dutch housing) we created a structure on which we could test our illusion panels on.

I think this was a great start to exploring how we can use the window sill to become a more functional space. The current materials we have been using are to simulate more stable materials (plastic=glass, cardboard=wood) but we got a good impression of how the panels can be moved around to create different compositions and feelings. It’s a shame Ryan already had frosting in his window so we couldn’t really see how the intervention is perceived from the outside. However I feel like this intervention will create distraction, diversion, distortion and illusions for the passers to focus their gaze on rather than in the inside of the home.

Ryan and his girlfriend seemed intrigued by the prospect of being able to have customisable windows that can adapt to their daily needs. They thought it was playful and less generic than their current frosted glass solution. Although they understood this to be a preliminary prototype I think they saw the value in the concept and they seemed excited to help support our development by offering to welcome us back to their home to test further prototypes. Feeling very grateful for their cooperation and contribution to our project. I feel lucky to have met and made friends with them through this journey.

From the testing we learnt that fabric is not really appropriate as it just feels too much like mini curtains. Although we thought having a variety of textures and materials would allow the user more flexibility and freedom to compose their own window, but it actually made it visually convoluted and didn’t make a harmonious atmosphere. It didn’t help to isolate and showcase the objects in the window but only created unnecssary visual noise. We need to find better ways to express visual and textural depth without using lots of different materials.

However, I am happy that this prototype really helped to transform the window  into a 3D space from what initially felt like a 2D barrier between inside and outside. Our chosen space is now more focused on around the window and not just the window which gives us more opportunities to express and communicate through the window. I also hope it helps to see the window as less of a barrier but more like a bridge that could help unite the cultural divide between Expats who are wanting more privacy and local Dutch residents who take pride in their open windows.

All team members seem satisfied with the result of basing our investigation on the window sill area as we think this is an underused space and I’m glad that we can now look forward to working towards to exploring a more focused investigation of creating panels that is restricted in materiality but more expressive through form. 

[amylewisbodymind]

Vitsoe Shelving System

Our prototyping idea that is installed within the window sill made me think of Vitsoe shelving systems. These are modular systems that could be mounted to vertical walls but can also be fixed between ceiling and floor. 

Ideally we would like to have a system that won’t damage or disrupt the window or sill as it is not possible to do so in rented properties. Therefore I think the tension pole system could be really ideal solution for our location as it can be adjusted to fit any height window without permanent fixtures and fittings. I like how this system is flexible and also transportable if you choose to move. I like how it can be placed within the middle of the room to create functional divisions that help to display your personal objects whilst creating privacy from one space to another without the need for a solid wall as it allows for light and air to pass between the spaces. It would be great to take this into consideration moving forwards with our prototyping.

[amylewisbodymind]

22.02.19 — Concrete Prototyping

Following on from last week’s exploration into the idea to use the window sill as a functional space as well as it being an opportunity to create privacy in doing so. We are now able to narrow down our location to Ryan’s house and his window sill. This has now helped us to focus our attention on how we would like to make the space more functional and what systems could we explore to create privacy. 

We found a metal frame structure and investigated ways in which we could create a shelf-like system within it. We settled on a very simple solution which uses vertical and horizontal panels that sit on an adjustable horizontal level. The horizontal panels will have to be sturdy enough for things to be placed upon it, but we are open for it to be opaque or transparent. The vertical panels that slide through the horizontal panels can be flexible as these act like mini curtains and can hang. We explored various different shapes panels and angles and angles in which they could be slotted into one another. Having tried out these options, we all agreed to keep it simple for now and stick to perpendicular slotting and not have irregularly shaped panels. This will allow us to focus more on exploring the different  materials we could use to create different types of obscuring and optical disturbances to create sufficient privacy.

I like how the panels are so easy to slide across the horizontal plane within the frame if the user chooses to have a completely open window. The panels are not fixed so these can be taken off the rails and be stored flat if necessary. This is particularly helpful for expats who usually don’t have a longterm housing contract and may need to put belongings into storage or move several times a year. The ability to take apart and have the window sill system become flatpack will help the process of moving homes easier. The panels can be swapped around without having to use any tools. The slotting mechanism is very easy to manage and we hope this encourages the user to be playful with their window composition and allow for fun transient displays to be made in their window for passers by to admire whilst it acts like a space divider between outside and inside to create more privacy by restricting the public gaze to what is displayed rather than what is within the home.

Having gone through this exercise we agreed that we would like to create a window sill system that is made for everyone who would like more privacy, not just a custom built solution for Ryan. Although he is our first client and we will be testing the system within his home, I think it’s important to find a flexible solution that can help the many expats in The Netherlands that face the challenge of living with large windows in their ground floor home. By creating a modular system that is sized on the standard window sill sizes in The Netherlands we will be able to create a series of adjustable frames with horizontal and vertical panels. We think this will allow us to have a larger audience and enable us to offer a design service and solution to many people wanting to integrate into the Dutch window culture but feel unsatisfied with their current situation. 

[amylewisbodymind]

15.02.19 — Prototyping ideas

Today we assessed our ideas generated from last week’s activities and decided to focus on how we could attract or direct the public gaze and in doing so will help with create privacy for our users.  

We particularly liked the idea of making the window sill a functional space somehow but still also providing an element of privacy. The above experiments show how a system of varying cubes with different finishes can be mounted directly onto the glass. These could be filled with objects or be left empty and just use the privacy element incorpoarted into the form. We will explore this further next week to see whether we can try and make our very own distorted glass which we will prototype with plastic for the sake of this project. I especially like how the window has now turned into a 3D space from what initially felt like a 2D barrier between inside and outside. Our chosen space is now more focused on around the window and not just the window which gives us more opportunities to explore a wider range of design solutions. It is also helping me to see the window less of a barrier but more like a bridge that could help unite the cultural divide between Expats who are wanting more privacy and local Dutch residents who take pride in their open windows.

I think this is a great start to exploring how we can use the window sill to be more functional and thinking more practically into how these boxes could be mounted to the window. This may prove difficult and limit the amout of things that could be placed within or on top of each object so next week we will like to investigate alternative structures to see if there are any other opportunities. All team members seem satisfied with the idea of basing our investigation on the window sill area as we think this is an underused space and I’m glad that we can now look forward to working towards finding a practical solution in how this idea could be implemented within our space.

[amylewisbodymind]

Interview Reflection

Speaking as an outsider and not being of Dutch origins, I associate heavily with what Ryan says about intrusion of the privacy and how we have been brought up to not look into other peoples’ houses because it is rude to do so. Therefore I can emphasise with his problems and culture shock he is experiencing. 

I have also been brought up in a culture where net curtains are the norm. The majority of windows in England are covered not only by one set of curtains but two. The day time net curtain to allow some light to come through and a heavier denser one for evenings. Therefore to come and live in a society where there are no curtains feels like a huge invasion of my privacy. For me it is more about privacy rather than for security. I don’t own anything of any value and don’t really fear for my safety here as it is very calm and quiet compared to the London buzz I am used to.

Therefore I feel our feelings towards the weirdness of the window was highlighted in our interview with Ryan who understood where we were coming from but this wasn’t the case with the Dutch members of society that Gigi and Elliot spoke to. 

[amylewisbodymind]

Interview

Candidates: Eindhoven resident with ground floor window

1. Do you like to live on the ground floor?

2. How do you feel about Dutch window?

3. Has Dutch window culture affected your everyday life?

4. What is your attitude to privacy?

5. How do you consider the window sill space?

6. Do you value the window sill space?

7. Would you like to add value to you window sill? If so, how?

8. Has your window sill usage changed over time or place?

9. Are you aware of the outside life when you’re inside?

The group divided in two; team 1: Elliot and Gigi, team 2: Fanny and I.

Elliot and Gigi went out to the surrounding neighbourhood of DAE to interview people in their homes to get a more well-rounded representation of the privacy situation. They were able to gather information from three Dutch residents which was perfect as it helped us to get an idea of the opinions of local “real” Dutch residents. Findings from the three interview suggested that these residents didn’t mind the lack of privacy because that is the norm for them. The older residents took little or no real effort in using the window sill to conceal the vision of the room. Plants were placed on the window sill more for practical purposes that for obscuring the view. Items on the sill pointed inwards towards the habitant rather than outwards to the public. Displayed objects had memories attached to them or showed images of family members. They were surprised we thought Dutch windows were big as they are also used to this and enjoy the amount of natural light within the home.

Interview analysis with Ryan Baker

After a bit of casual stalking, I managed to track down Ryan at school and arrange for us to interview him on Friday for a more in-depth investigation into his window and his perception of privacy.

He lives with his girlfriend who likes the big windows and watching others go by as it feels less isolating for her working from home alone. Despite the consequences of the public gaze. Their assumption of thinking it was rude to stare into people’s homes were shattered when having to deal with unwanted eye contact and having to feel like they had to wave back if someone gestured. Feeling an intrusion into their home which they were not expecting when they moved into the property. But is trying to adapt to this Dutch culture.

They didn’t realise the property was on a public thoroughfare with such close proximity to Pink the coffeeshop. Having signed the leasing contract on the property before arriving in The Netherlands, they were suspicious to why their rent was half the price of that of an identical flat in the next block with the private courtyard. Turns out the anti-social behaviour that occurs in the public space outside their flat drives the rent lower.

Window sill space is considered as a transition space between outside and inside. Plants are placed there as a soft barrier as well as it being beneficial to them with access to light. The partial frosting on the window installed by them was to further create privacy and they would never consider putting anything of any financial value by the window. Currently they display mementos in picture frames that are placed there facing inwards. Small objects have also found their way there due to lack of storage, but no books or other items that could be damaged by the sun.

Having lived in NY previously to Eindhoven where his window sill was used as an exit/entrance point to access the balcony, he only has a door mat placed there to protect the sill from damage. The only other window was blocked by an AC unit. He feels safer her in general but he checks security of the flat every night as there are usually some members of the public who sit on the wall in front of his flat smoking weed or drinking. Having had this experience he is now put off from wanting to live in a ground floor property here in the future.

Although he has had some negative experiences moving people along from in front of their house, he encourages his girlfriend to not be intimidated in their home and to face the passing public by staring back at them if she wanted to. He misses the days when he lived in Ireland when he could sit on the cushioned window sill or his house to read.

This interview gave us a great insight to his experiences and tells us there is a desire for more of a barrier between their private home and the public space. There is hostility between the two worlds sometimes and it would be great if this could be alleviated somehow for them in a harmonious manner. Perhaps we could help them with this with our project?

[amylewisbodymind]

11.02.19 — Sketchstorm

We boiled down our thinking to the following 5 questions:

1. How can we control / direct attention of the public gaze? 2. How can we communicate our feelings through the window? 3. How can we control the duration of the public gaze? 4. How can we create distance between the window and the public? 5. How can we determine who is able to look through the window?

The result of the sketchstorm showed that the majorty of the ideas we had would resolve question no. 1.  It also made us want to help unite both perceiver and receiver rather than represent the desires of either side. We hope this will help outsiders like ourselves integrate better into Dutch society by respecting traditional culture but still catering to the demands for more privacy. 

We briefly spoke about the idea of communicating and connecting the inside and outside in the form of a stained glass window. We discussed the work of recent graduate Kim Zoutewelle and how she has layered patterns and colours to help create seperations in space.

For next week, I would like to investigate some ideas and directions that test the idea of a flexible stained glass window system that allows for different expressions depending on the resident’s feelings.

[amylewisbodymind]

Project Meeting

Having missed last week’s afternoon session with the team I caught up with them later in the week to discuss what had been explored that day and how we need to move forward with the project based on the research we have collected.

We were confronted with several questions we wanted to reflect on based on the information gathered in our research so far.

1. Why do big windows here bother me? Why is it even an issue to point out? As outsiders to the Dutch way of living, we on one hand appreciate the light in our new homes but equally feel exposed compared to how we lived back home. Issue of security and feel comfortable in your own home.

2. How do you deal with privacy with big windows?

By distraction, diversion, distortion and illusions. Most solutions that didn’t just completely block out the outside used softer means. We have noticed people using in the homes we encountered used one of these methods in order to create privacy.

3. What can we see through the window? Is the window a frame that contains life as art?

Each window is different and each window has a different narrative to tell. That is what drives our curiosty to look inside.

4. How better can the window sill be used?

Plants, momentos and objects are usually displayed in the sills. These all seem to be decorative in functionality. One window sill found in my primary research had been converted to be used as a children’s play area. I liked how the use had been adapted according to the users and the left over toys in the window felt like a work of art in progress.

5. What is the role of the window sill with regards to privacy?

A surface on which objects can be placed to obsucre the gaze from outside. Most of the time the objects face the resident and therefore not presented for the passing public to appreciate. The audience is within.

To conclude, we have narrowed down our field to the physical space of windows and to focus on emotive resolutions that consider both the perceiver and the receiver. 

My personal interest of window sill usage is directed towards functionality and adding more purposeful usage potential to the space. I see this as an opportunity to see what could be done to this dead space and whether an intervention here would help to not only add value to the space by allowing you to use it more efficiently but also to help create more privacy at the same time. Allowing for multiple usage potential feels like the answer to me.

[amylewisbodymind]

Primary Research: Location Photography

We split up into three groups and researched what a range of different windows around the city looked like so we had a better understanding of the context. 

Elliot and I went back to the apartment buildings by DAE to where Ryan lives; one of the people we photographed last week. Having found out that he was a Masters student at the academy, we felt like we developed a rapport with him during our first encounter and wanted to find out more about the window culture in his neighbourhood.

It was interesting to discover that there were significant differences between how people created privacy in their homes even within this small apartment block complex. The space in front of Ryan’s apartment is a public thoroughfare with a lawn area. All the homes that face the footpath and lawn had frosted vinyl or curtains in the windows to protect themselves from the public’s prying eyes. In comparison, the next block along had a gated private lawn area between the apartment blocks which I think has lead residents to feeling more secure in their homes and feeling more comfortable with having more open windows.

The desire for privacy in this context seems to be from a security perspective. People are wanting to feel more secure and secluded from the gaze of the passing outsiders. It is sad to think residents have to sacrifice daylight with shutters, blinds and curtains in order to block out the gaze. It seems like a hostile reaction to the traditional Dutch window culture. Although in modern times I can understand why residents would want to obscure the contents of their home.

It would be great if we could some how help the residents’ situation by uniting them with the Dutch cultural tradition of celebrating open windows whilst still  being respectful to their wishes of wanting more privacy. Is there a way of resolve this in a thoughtful way?

[amylewisbodymind]

Group Dynamics Revisited

As a group we agreed on the following roles for the project:

Fanny — Time Keeper Elliot — Secretary Amy — Co-ordinator Gig — Elaborator

We have all agreed to share the following roles as team members of the group: — Presenter — Researcher —Creative Risk Taker

I think these responsibilities align well with our characters. It will be interesting as to how the project progresses and evolves to reveal the motive and purpose of our intervention.

Johari’s Window Experiment

From the 56 adjectives, I chose for myself:

— Observant — Searching — Complex — Organised — Indecisive

I enjoy thoroughly understanding the context of any given phenomena. I have become accustomed to working in a specific type of design process molded by my previous life experiences. Understanding the brief, creating a series of design solutions or proposals based on the findings from detailed research analysis. I feel comfortable in undertaking more dominant roles and helping to drive the project alongside people. 

I was nominated the following characteristics by my group:

— Cheerful — Modest — Logical — Friendly

I will try to maintain enthusiasm and work on my patience throughout this project. It can be frustrating for me sometimes when the pace of action feels slow and I also forget that this is probably one of only a handful of times other members have worked in a team like this in their life. Will try to be more nurturing as well as helpful to others in an emphathetic manner.

[amylewisbodymind]

Primary research: Local window appearance and usage

From a brief trip around the surrounding neighbourhood of DAE, it is possible to see a range of window treatments. Surprising amount of closed or obscured windows contrary to the traditional Dutch window culture. This may be because of the close proximity to the city centre and increased footfall in this area making the residents want to conceal their lives in order to have more privacy. It could also be due to the type of people who reside here. Perhaps the international residents here have chosen to continue to live in a way they feel most comfortable with instead of adopting traditional Dutch window culture.

[amylewisbodymind]

Discourse Analysis 

An Architectural design competition that aims to explore ‘new ways of living near the window’ was conceived to develop an alternative to the mass-fabricated house. 

I have chosen to analyse this piece of text as the winning entry proposes to  transform a forgotten dead space into a small private intimate area that works with the window to make it a usable space.

Given that the competition was organised by a window sash maunfacturing company it doesn’t surprise me that the solution to the housing problem would be solved with the focus being on windows. 

The author has chosen to agree with the assumption that ‘people are buying houses like commodities’. There will always be a demand for housing as the population continues to grow but I think it’s not made clear as to why homes are treated like a commodity. 

Although I personally like the idea of a custom built house for myself, it leads me to question whether someone else would want to live the way I choose to live in a space and if I was to sell the property afterwards would this conflict with the buyers needs. We are all so accustomed to having personalised experiences in our daily lives and perhaps making new customised homes so easy to order off-the-shelf it might encourage the consumer to continue to treat houses like a commodity without regard for sustainability.

The author has also chosen to highlight the comment made that ‘small spaces attached to the house stimulate communication with neighbours’ which is pretty presumptuous to believe that exposing your private life to the world will encourage the user to interact and engage with the surrounding environment. It’s hopeful but in a culture where privacy is highly respected, I doubt neighbourhood interactions would improve from this. 

The architect hopes “human activities inside the mado-beya will make the town more attractive, while differently configured Cotoiro houses assembled together can make a beautiful townscape.” However, I wonder if showcasing the interior a real home would be appreciated as you can not rely on the user treating the home the same way the architect has presented it in the accompanying images to the article. 

Dutch architecture has large windows but its original intention wasn’t to increase social communities but stems from practical needs of getting more sunlight into the house but also from influences by Calvinism. 

It will be interesting to explore this area further in our research in local Dutch window culture and observe how the space is currently being used around our neighbourhood.

[amylewisbodymind]

Primary Research: Portrait Photography

Our task today was to investigate the neighbourhood surrounding DAE and to photograph three strangers who live and work within it.  

Elliot who owns a DSLR took charge of being the team photographer and would be responsible for photographing the subject while myself and Gigi’s roles were to keep the subject relaxed and engaged to try and allow Elliot to focus on photography and to capture the essence of our subject. Finding the subjects to photograph wasn’t so difficult as we approached homes that looked like they had people within. It was important to come across as warm and friendly as a group of people could feel intimidating otherwise. Having a clear explanation as to why we need to photograph them helped us to get the subject to co-operate with our mission. Although I was happy to interact and engage with people I would have liked an opportunity to photograph at least one of the subjects myself to practice my photography skills.  Out of the three photographs I think the one with the male on the street would be my favourite as the image is clear and in focus. The others are grainy (not in an aesthetically pleasing way and also not intended) and more care and attention is needed in the camera settings during photography. I think this was tricky becayse of the lighting conditions of the interior space we photographed our subjects in. Therefore it was challenging to adjust this on the fly if you’re not used to it.  Unfortunately all three portraits have similar compositions and all are taken at eye level. Nothing extraordinary about the framing or playing with the depth of field to draw attention to specific areas. If we were to try this task again I would prefer to experiment with depth of field and try alternative compositions and perspectives. It would be helpful to also capture the subjects alongside their window sill to connect the person to their window sill habits.