The museum is your gym
Pop-up workouts take place around the country
using any space available in a city. It’s a movement to promote free fitness
and create a new community, called November Project. There is no specific space or equipment
necessary but just the mindset of using what a city has and positively influencing those around you. The ramps and stairs
of a sculpture garden become a space to run sprint, benches are used for
step-ups or dips, and the parking garage is used to measure a distance for
walking lunges. This use was definitely not planned, but has become a big part
of the museum experience for 200+ people every week.
This is just one example but how we use the
city adds something that cannot be seen physically, but rather is felt by those
involved. These activities of spontaneity can cross all demographics and their
interactions foster the investment in a city that is essential to the success
of the city. It gives people a sense that the city is this to use how they want. They are not restricted to the planned uses but have the ability to adapt the urban environment as needed. This “everyday urbanism” is essential to urban life but how can we
plan for it? Should it even be something we plan for?
There's something really similar in Denver. While the Red Rocks Amphitheater is a really unique and iconic concert venue, if you go during it's off-hours (basically any time that isn't a weekend night), it is crawling with people who use the amphitheater steps and ramps for all kinds of workouts. It wasn't a use that the venue planners thought of, but it keeps the area active (no pun intended) even when there are no events happening there. I think it's a cool example of how everyday urbanism can bring use to areas that would normally be deserted if their primary use isn't taking place there.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good example of spaces designed for one use but used in a different way. I think as architects it's important to keep that possibility in mind and not be offended or whatever when something like that happens. It reminds me of the MACBA in Barcelona by Richard Meier that is crawling with skateboarders haha.
ReplyDeleteI think sometimes, people who are using your design will find something fun, but not you. That is the fun part. Designer can not design everything.
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