Interpreting Meanings of Local Identity - in this case what is the meaning of a home?

I refuse to believe that place-making is only a concern of urban design. 

Actually I resist the idea that urban design is a separate entity from architecture but anyways... I let that go for now. 

Problem: 

A major problem facing built environments is the prevalence of homogeneous architecture which is not rooted in place. This architecture has contributed to a sense of placelessness. 

Purpose:

Architecture should connect people to meanings of local identity. Rather than designing with preconceived notions about aesthetic style, architectural expression should result from an understanding of layered, shared meanings of place. Architecture should convey feelings of belonging and ownership among its users, and thus play a role in place-making.

Strategies:

Strategy 1.  Unveil shared meanings of place which reflect identity

A ‘place’ can be at the scale of a city, a community, or a specific plot of land. Place meanings can reflect on history, culture, natural features, and personal or collective memory. 

Strategy 2. Interpret and convey prominent themes of place through architecture expression

Make visible the invisible meanings of a place. Everything designed must have a reason connected to the identity of the place and it’s users. 

Strategy 3. Encourage personal engagement with place though the stimulation of the senses 

Architecture should provide visual and haptic interest to further engage users with place.

Also here's a cool example I found today 

http://architizer.com/blog/global-roadside-the-architecture-of-shake-shacks-56-worldwide-locations/   

________________

Ok so for the actual house. 

I started one but it was pretty bad. 

I'm beginning to think that choosing a specific site immediately limits the design from being purely conceptual and representative of the whole concept... 

So I think that the "meaning" I'm to use as a driver in this case is simply the meaning of home. 

Meanings of Home:

- protection

- shelter

- belonging

- ownership

- self-identity

- sanctuary

- comfort

- family

- rooted, grounded

- grows with us - can change over time

The fact that feelings of belonging and ownership overlap with my intention is interesting. All architecture should promote a sense of belonging, but the house is the most fundamental example of this.

How do all these 'feelings' result in a tiny building... well we shall see.