Sociability as Locality Aspect in Private University Student Housing: Spaces, Activities, and Rules

Abstract

This study examines the sociability practices implemented by male and female students in the Islamic Student Housing (ISH) of an Indonesian private university. Being a key component of Indonesian culture, sociability is accepting and respecting the presence of others in one’s environment. This culture is viewed as a component of local values that must be incorporated as a lesson for ISH residents. Male and female senior students are asked to engage in Focus Group Discussions to discuss their experiences living in a shared bedroom. The data are being analysed qualitatively with Atlas.ti to highlight the intercorrelated codes on the establishment of sociability mechanisms among residents. During their time in ISH, students engage in everyday activities that foster local values in sociability and strengthen their social connections with their roommates and housemates. The investigation revealed that the practices of sociability towards social connectivity is shaped not only by the spaces but also by the involvement of activities and rules applied. This study contributes to our understanding of spatial in architecture, notably the locality aspect of Indonesian sociability as its essential value.