The City as a Space of Conflict_Blogg Entry 6

Public spaces have always been a place of celebration and conflict. A public square is a space in which the community can interact or rebel. The idea that those places can be designed to either support or be against this is one that holds interest to many architects trying to better the welfare of their local community. Enhancing public space or even unused space so that people can enjoy it as something other that just the in between of buildings should be a goal for many. Even using a buildings design to instigate the use of the public realm is important when designing a building.

The above images show a pavilion that was done in Copenhagen. This pavilion put life into a park that was no longer being used by the community. This piece of infrastructure allows more to happen there then ever before, it has become a podium for discussion, a stage for performances, as well as an event space for weddings. This simple piece of work has transformed a once stark place into something the community can enjoy.




The Larkin Square area has transformed similarly to the park in Copenhagen. This industrial space was abandoned but then infrastructure was put in to support community activities. Food Truck Tuesdays are what they are most known for. The architecture that is provided is simple, a basic canopy overhang, some seating and tables all put together creates a space that only thrives when activated by the people who use it. The architecture is there to support the community and the habitation of public space.







It is interesting to see how people can take a gathering space and transform it into something that suits their needs, whether it be for exercising, a game of chess with sidewalk chalk, or even a friendly protest. This shows that the spaces or places that are created for one use will always be used for what the public sees fit. A building is not made to sit there and look pretty, the world is a place in which we live, work and transform. Whether a building was designed to be certain way does not mean it will forever stay frozen in time as the thing it once was, it will transform with society or it will become ruins. Architects should look at this whenever a building is being put into realization, it will affect generations to come.