Haunted houses: a design exploration of the uncanny

Abstract

Some of the most innocuous houses that you step foot into can set off alarm bells in your mind. You can’t seem to identify what it is that is making you feel uncomfortable, but something about the house seems off. While this gut-feeling may stem from a pre- existing knowledge of a dark history of the house, it is often a completely coincidental amalgamation of design elements that curate an environment that induces unease. This thesis examines the home’s tendency to become uncanny to its inhabitants, attempting to pinpoint the design elements that contribute to the unsettling atmosphere. Horror films are used as a case study for heightened and intentional uncanny design, ultimately providing an outlet for the physical manifestation of this thesis’ research: the adaptive reuse of an abandoned farmhouse, modified to serve as a domestic horror film set with a corresponding narrative to guide design.