Everyday Space
"Everyday space stands in contrast to the carefully planned, officially designated, and often underused spaces of public use..." -Margaret Crawford
There are glimpses of everyday space everywhere from sidewalks to outdoor staircases/ ramps to the small alley ways between buildings to parking lots. The public have the ability to transform these spaces into something completely different than what they were originally designed for. Sidewalks were meant for people to have a designated safe area to walk on in order to get from point A to point B. Sidewalks are now being used not only for people to walk but for produce markets, art installations, and food trucks. Outdoor staircases and ramps are now opportunities for skateboarding, working out, and lounging. Alley ways between buildings can allow enough space for a pop-up restaurant, swing dancing, basketball etc. I think it is fascinating to think how specific spaces were designed for a specific intention on how the space should be used but in most cases the space is not used how the designer planned for it to be. This is the everyday, the public will use/transform a space in order to meet their needs at that time.
It seems crazy to me that these types of spaces happen everywhere and all the time, but yet somehow most architects can't find a way to design spaces in the way that the public wants to use the space. If we get the community involved in the design process though, and design spaces that allow for flexibility and change over time, maybe we can actually give the public what they need!
ReplyDeleteI also find this fascinating. I think it also is the beauty of public spaces. Good public spaces have enough programming to make them engaging, but lack enough such that it can be transformed.
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