Home Made Visible is an autoethnographic study that uses the researcher’s own house as a site for reflection on domestic life, storage practices, and spatial wellbeing. Through intimate conversations with household members and guests, she illustrates how thoughtful storage design - both visible and concealed - can foster a sense of calm, care, and emotional balance. The talk also features PhD candidate Sara Hayball, who adds to the discussion by sharing early insights from her research into the subconscious emotional responses we have to our homes. Her work highlights the powerful role our spatial experiences in childhood have on our design preferences in adulthood. Together, their research suggests that rethinking our homes is key to building healthier and more inclusive cities.

Professor Elena Marco is an internationally recognised leader in architecture, sustainability, and higher education, with a research track record in sustainable housing and innovative architectural pedagogies. Her DPhil combined design research with social science methods, rooted in early professional practice, and she has contributed to two REF cycles. Elena uses visual and creative methods to explore sustainable futures and advance inclusive education. As Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of UWE’s largest College, she leads major academic and research portfolios and plays a key role in shaping strategic initiatives, while actively influencing national and international discourse on the built environment and equity in STEAM.

Sara Hayball is a PhD candidate at UWE Bristol. Her research explores how subconscious emotional responses to architecture influence mental and physiological health, with a particular interest in how childhood spatial experiences shape adult design preferences for the home. Using psychodynamic and ethnographic methodologies, Sara advocates for housing that supports well-being and provides care through its user-centred design.

This event is part of Home - a year of making, experiencing and sharing ideas of home. Throughout 2025 Watershed is hosting a programme of films, immersive art, talks and workshops that will explore the many different ways in which people find, make, imagine, long for and escape home. 

Join us online on YouTube Live, or in the building on Friday, the 17th of October 2025 at 1pm for the talk and to take part in the Q and A discussion afterwards. 

The Pervasive Media Studio is a partnership between the Watershed, University of the West of England and University of Bristol. The lunchtime talks are partly supported by MyWorld, a project led by the University of Bristol to support creative industries in the region. Watershed is supported by Arts Council England.

Address:

Watershed, 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX

Directions:

The Lunchtime talks take place in the Pervasive Media Studio Event Space. To access the Studio, please go to the Main Watershed Box Office entrance and go upstairs to the Café Bar. Walk across the cafe bar, turn right and walk towards the double doors. Go through into the corridor and walk all the way down until you reach the Studio. A member of staff will sign you in, and check your ticket, if you have booked.

The Studio is wheelchair accessible, and the events space has a hearing loop. The last talk of every month is BSL interpreted. 

For more information on accessing the studio take a look here.

*Please note this is a hybrid event and will be live streamed so please be aware you will be in the live broadcast and recording when watching in the Studio.