Exploring the Spatial Dynamics of Aruban Verandas
A Study from Spatial Theory Perspectives
D.G.M. Croes (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
J.M.K. Hanna – Mentor (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
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Abstract
This research investigates the Aruban veranda as both an architectural element and a socio-cultural space, employing Henri Lefebvre’s spatial triad and Martina Löw’s relational theory to analyse its dual role as a physical threshold and a site of social interaction. While existing scholarship on Caribbean architecture has focused on climatic function or colonial influences, this study addresses a critical gap by examining how verandas mediate between private and public life in Aruba. Through a mixed-methods approach, including archival photography, contemporary photographic documentation, and mental mapping, the research reveals how verandas are dynamically constructed through everyday practices, cultural traditions like dande, and performative self-staging. The findings demonstrate that verandas, though architecturally diverse, consistently function as liminal spaces: they facilitate circulation, host gatherings, and embody contradictions (open yet enclosed, private yet performative). Mental maps highlight their emotional significance, with “family” emerging as a central theme. The study challenges static typologies by positioning verandas as relational constructs. This interdisciplinary framework deepens our understanding of the social role of vernacular architecture, providing a model for exploring how design and culture interact within transitional spaces across different contexts.