Pearl & the Moon: The Women’s Sphere, Spatial Empowerment, and Femininity

Carly O’Brien// Marie Mastrobattista

Pearl & the Moon: The Women’s Sphere, Spatial Empowerment, and Femininity

This thesis is immersed in materialist feminism, which critically examines the social and economic structures that perpetuate gender inequality, with a particular focus on the family, domesticity, and motherhood. Utilizing this theory, I will maintain a focus on reclaiming domestic spaces and defining a "feminine" space, as well as examining the association of women with specific spaces such as the kitchen, and expanding these spaces into a celebrated, collaborative, public realm. This endeavor seeks to redefine the characteristics constituting a "feminine" space, considering the intricate dynamics influenced by societal expectations, gender roles, and historical constraints. The design offers spaces to feel safe, to live, to work, and to feel celebrated in a joint community.