Thesis / Research Document of the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague, 2025.
Bachelor Interior Architecture & Furniture Design
This thesis explores the cultural, emotional, and spatial significance of the dinner party as a ritual of togetherness, rooted in tradition yet increasingly neglected in modern lifestyles. Drawing from personal narratives, sociological research, and cultural practices across the globe, it repositions the dinner party as more than just a social gathering—it is a deliberate act of care, joy, and connection. The study reflects on the Polish cultural context of communal dining, contrasting it with the increasing pace and individualism of urban life. It investigates how architecture, societal roles, and economic shifts influence our ability and willingness to host, highlighting how shrinking living spaces and modern work culture have diminished spontaneous, in-home gatherings. Through interdisciplinary lenses—from anthropology and design to gender studies and mindfulness—the thesis examines how rituals around food preparation, spatial design, and hosting roles shape our relationships and identity. It argues for reclaiming the dinner party not as a performance of perfection, but as an evolving, intimate practice that fosters belonging. The dinner table is positioned as a metaphorical and literal space of vulnerability, conversation, and joy. By reviving this tradition with intention and adaptability, we can restore a vital medium of human connection in an increasingly disconnected world.
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