Creating Positive Spaces - Designing For Community

Previously buildings were designed primarily to be functional and to serve the purpose of the business needs within; limited considerations were given to the overall aesthetics and how they may affect the workers and residents. Amenities within public buildings for example would be toilet facilities and possibly limited seating areas for example. However, as design technologies have evolved and awareness of the correlation between human well being and the environment that we frequent, now architectural design is far more sympathetic to our basic human needs. 

There is a point where architects can over design and overly control our spaces for example pre-setting ambient temperatures or lighting using a generic algorithm to conclude what is needed. Although on the whole many designs now are incredibly successful it is also worth not loosing sight of the ability of us as individuals to make our own decisions depending upon our circumstances at any one given time. Many hotels are so highly equipped and designed to take away the need for any change what has been set that the simple desire to open a window and let fresh air in is an option that is no longer available. The point I am making is that when it comes to humans and our preferences, one size does not always fit all. 

In public open spaces we tend to be corralled in a certain direction to eliminate any bottlenecks in the flow of movement. When this relates to the movement of traffic for example, the need for pre organisation is clear. However, in the case of people meandering and manoeuvring through a park or an urban public area, is it really necessary to shepherd and suggest where it is best for us to explore. This removal of allowing us to use our imaginations and instincts is something well recognised as being different from how children are experiencing their childhood in comparison to how their parents and grandparents would have.