Abstract
AI as Cultural Decoder: Multimodal Analysis of Object Evolution in Chinese Domestic Space Historical design research often prioritizes grand narratives, while the cultural sig- nificance of everyday objects and their spatial contexts is frequently overlooked. Addressing this gap, this study investigates the evolution of "object-space" order in domestic environments through an integrated approach combining computer vision technology and natural language processing. By analysing image data across different periods, we identify object categories, placements, and spatial configurations, revealing micro-level organizational patterns and macro-level influ- ences of functionality and socio-cultural factors. Combining qualitative and quanti- tative methods—including interviews and computational analysis—we trace the transformation of Chinese residential spaces since the 1980s. Findings demon- strate how technological advances, shifting lifestyles, and cultural values have re- defined object-space relations, transitioning from utilitarian dominance to aesthet- ic-personalized expressions. The proposed methodology examines the dynamic interplay among objects, occupants, and spaces, offering new insights into how material arrangements shape spatial morphology and everyday lived experiences.
Keywords
Computer-Aided Design Historiography; “Object-Space” Order of Everyday life; Multimodal Computational Analysis; Chinese Domestic Space History
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2025.102
Citation
Yang, Z., Li, Y.,and Song, L.(2025) AI as Cultural Decoder: Multimodal Analysis of Object Evolution in Chinese Domestic Space, in Chang, C.-Y., and Hsu, Y. (eds.), IASDR 2025: Design Next, 02-05 December, Taiwan. https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2025.102
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Conference Track
Track 11 - Culture and Craft Design for Regenerative Practices
AI as Cultural Decoder: Multimodal Analysis of Object Evolution in Chinese Domestic Space
AI as Cultural Decoder: Multimodal Analysis of Object Evolution in Chinese Domestic Space Historical design research often prioritizes grand narratives, while the cultural sig- nificance of everyday objects and their spatial contexts is frequently overlooked. Addressing this gap, this study investigates the evolution of "object-space" order in domestic environments through an integrated approach combining computer vision technology and natural language processing. By analysing image data across different periods, we identify object categories, placements, and spatial configurations, revealing micro-level organizational patterns and macro-level influ- ences of functionality and socio-cultural factors. Combining qualitative and quanti- tative methods—including interviews and computational analysis—we trace the transformation of Chinese residential spaces since the 1980s. Findings demon- strate how technological advances, shifting lifestyles, and cultural values have re- defined object-space relations, transitioning from utilitarian dominance to aesthet- ic-personalized expressions. The proposed methodology examines the dynamic interplay among objects, occupants, and spaces, offering new insights into how material arrangements shape spatial morphology and everyday lived experiences.