space

There's some great discussions about workspace going on. There's the ETS workspace in Rider that may undergo some adaptation, along with the opening and experimenting with new spaces at the Library and new spaces in Chambers Building, as well as innovative space proposals for Hammond. The discussion around these things is exciting our group, and that gives our space a good atmosphere. I know absolutely nothing about designing space, but I respond to the space I'm in. On Wednesday I had the opportunity to see designed spaces inside the brand new Millennium Science Complex; then Thursday, I met with faculty in the Law Library inside the award winning Katz Building. Both spaces are designed, and each is successful or not based on what you want to do in the spaces as well as what your personal tastes are.

I'm in awe of the people who work in both of these spaces. They seem purposeful, engaged. Driven, even. I'm proud to be attached even if only by the postmark on our paychecks.

The Katz building is an award winning, critically acclaimed work by the same folks who gave us the IST building. From the air, the IST building is a soft "S". The Katz building is a soft "Z"- flop the "S" and give it harder edges. I wonder if they look to the letters in the name for inspiration? It is award winning; but when I talked to several people inside, they remarked that they felt it looked like a warehouse. I was relieved, since I feel the same way- like when it stops, the sand people will come out. At night, when lit, it is glorious. The inside library space features a wall of glass with a view of the Arboretum. Maybe this is what earned the awards? It is a breath taking space. I sat at a small table with faculty and within a few seconds I realized that the light on the laptop made it almost impossible to view the screen. There were shades over some of the windows but it was impossible to open and close them based on need. They were part of the building's programmed climate control and screen function was on a computerized schedule. So some people think it's ugly, some people think its beautiful, but for me the real success of "design" is whether the result helps or hinders what we use it for. The building keeps people warm, safe, and comfortable with reasonable expenditures for infrastructure. Success. The Library, billed as the heart of the building, is hard to read and work in during the day. Failure.

My guess is, everything can be justified somehow; architects haven't made random decisions. They can show the sound reasoning behind every feature. In the end a space can appear one way to a visitor and another way to a regular user, while possibly not appearing at all to some very focused users.

Likely not everyone will ever be happy, but maybe talking together will give us the willingness to suffer together with what we have as we get on with our own work, and be respectful of the needs of the people we see anew.

FACT CHECK EDIT:I'm confused about the architects: Too much space in too little time. Rafael Viñoly did the IST "S" and the Millenium Complex Big "A". The Katz Building was designed by Ennead Architects. The "Z" is in my own head.