Discover how everyday objects, from beds and cooking pots to toothbrushes and basins, come alive through the universal functions/affordances they perform across 60+ cultures. Instead of asking “What is this thing?”, we ask “What can you use this for?”
Engage with our interactive atlas derived from Dollar Street to explore 46 core human activities (sleeping, cooking, cleaning, sheltering, and more) and see the rich diversity of objects that afford each function around the globe. Whether you’re a researcher, designer, or simply curious, CultureAfford Atlas puts function at the heart of material culture, helping AI systems and people understand that the world’s many forms of objects all fulfill the same human needs.
