have you seen william whyte's (sp?) film on the social life of small, urban
spaces? it is 110 years old but still applicable.
try putting two benches at 90 degrees to each other... people like to sit
in corners and talk with each canted so they face each other.
or, try brick and/or concrete seat benches that have 90 degree inside
corners.
(the new seat walls at the renovated mcconnell hall on campus were
well done, but the benches weren't placed well... half way there)
if you get real adventurous.... try moveable furniture... that is william
whyte's ultimate lesson. the moveable furniture at the ui library is a
smash hit.
>>> Palmer Susan <susanp@osprey.csrv.uidaho.edu> 10/02/95 12:07pm
>>>
Steve,
Immediately, I can only respond to your last question--do love seats make
good cities? I believe that good corner benches do. The photo of the
corner bench on Howard and C Streets that Bill London submitted as a
contest entry, evoked a strong sense of community for me. So much so,
that we are adding that idea to the landscape plans for our new corner
lot.
Best,
Susan
*---------------------------------------------------------------------*
| |
| Susan Palmer Education Programming |
| Phone: 208-885-6616 Coordinator |
| FAX: 208-885-9494 Women's Center |
| E-mail: susanp@osprey.csrv.uidaho.edu University of Idaho |
| Alias: Auntie Nuke Moscow, Idaho 83844-1064 |
| |
| "People convinced against their will, hold the same opinion still" |
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*---------------------------------------------------------------------*
On Mon, 2 Oct 1995, Steve Cooke wrote:
> Dear Visionaries,
> Are cities "alive." If so, in what sense?
> Is there no role for the nation? Housekeeping, offset, and planning >
functions?
> What is holism as it relates to cities?
> Do good love seats make good cities?
> Steve Cooke
>