There are many movements of design through the centuries going back to the beginning of people using the spaces around them. Space can be functional, it can be purposeful for what it was designed for. Space can also be art. It can move you and create mood. Just like every avenue of art and design space can make you feel good or even bad or scared.
Space can be designed to bring people together; to help make conversation and relationship.
What elements of spatial design can help bring people together? These are the things that I would like to explore in this blog. I would like to explore other communities that have similar situations and see what they have done to bring people together.
I live in a residential community much like a college campus or a TND development but it is actually just a small town in Mississippi of 220 people that includes a campus of residential students, elementary through high school and the families that work and support this campus. This campus is supposed to help be a safe place and a place for relationship.
The essence of this campus is to create community among the staff and students.
How do you create community? I would propose that you do two things: you create spaces of connection for all ages and you help give time for those people to be there and connect. This is a complex idea today where people have their own schedules and focus and it takes a lot for people to slow down and talk; connect. How do you help people do this even when they might not be meaning to do it themselves?
You design space where people rub shoulders and have potential extended time around each other.
The lines between public space and private space become extremely important.
In the coming posts I will explore places where designers and communities of people have examples of good space design that helps to create community and bring people together.
Get ready! It should be fun!
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