Dorm Spaces and Sociability

Physical spaces may significantly shape social interaction. This study has explored how the residential provisions (Dormitories) for students at IIM-Ahmedabad impact their social life. This paper adopted interpretive methods in order to explore the impact of physical space on sociability of students. Data was collected with the help of interviews and observations in order to explore and uncover the collective meaning imparted by the participants of research in understanding the impact of built spaces on sociability for the old campus and new campus dormitory residents of IIMA. Three narratives emerged from the collected data. First narrative focused on life in the dorm, second narrative focused on artifacts and how they influence the interaction among the students, and third narrative was built around the events in the dorm. Interpretive methods helped in drawing out participants’ meanings related to spaces of the old and new campus dormitories and their impact on sociability. The study explored the lifeworld of dorm residents within these spaces. The study finds that built space and the organization of artifacts in that space do make a significant difference in social life of the dorm residents of IIMA.