Space Between Buildings Research

This particular urban space is located in the Medina of Tangier, Morocco. More specifically, it is located at the very edge of this neighborhood. The Medina is interesting in that it is the oldest neighborhood in the city, reaching back to the medieval ages (and in some spots even earlier.) It is unique in that the streets, most of which have a width between five and fifteen feet, are set up like a maze.

There is no defining organizational structure to the streets which results in what one could only describe as a tangled up mess. However, the reason why this particular urban site is so important is because it acts as one of the main gateways (53) between the Medina and the rest of the city. Though it does not see much social activity, its main quality as a transition does make it into a pretty important activity node (30.)

The physical space acts as both a transition between these two distinct parts of the city. At one end there is a wide, busy pedestrian street (100) whose wide open feel contradicts the twisting, cavern like streets of the Medina as well as acted as a major subculture boundary (13) in the city. On the average day, this area is filled with vendors selling fruits and vegetables on the edges of the road with cars trying to inch their way through the center. In fact, this street is the closest that any cars can get to the Medina. The site is nothing more than a narrow alleyway with three story buildings on either side (positive outdoor space106.) At the very center of the alley lies a single arch which acts as the defining threshold between the medina and the busy street beyond. This boundary is further defined by the social activity that does occur within the small space.

Between the street and the archway local vendors line up to sell their produce.

However, there are no vendors who will settle down on the other side of the gate. Furthermore, upon stepping through the gateway (while heading into the Medina) the ground starts to descend into Medina, further establishing this threshold.

Medina Gateway

Tangier, Morocco Drawing 1 of 10

The other important thing about this site is the relationship that it has with the rest of the city. This site acts as the gateway to one of a system of precincts that are buried within each other (holy ground- 66) which is also reflected in its hierarchy of open space (114.) That is to say that it is part of a larger grouping of neighborhoods and spaces where one leads into another which then leads into another. Then, as one goes deeper and deeper into this system it gradually morphs. So, in this instance, one starts off with the greater city of Tangier. Upon stepping through the threshold that the site creates, one steps into the Medina.

After meandering up through the Medina one eventually stumbles upon another arch that leads into the Kasbah.

This site is a medium sized courtyard located in the heart of the Kasbah in Tangier. While one could say that the Kasbah is in fact part of the Medina, it is actually an independent neighborhood that is locked in by the Medina on three sides and the ocean by the fourth. Originally, it was a Portuguese fortress and the three gates into the fortress now act as the entryways into the walled neighborhood. This particular space lies at the northern edge of the Kasbah and houses one of the three gates into the neighborhood. The physical space (positive outdoor space- 106) is a very basic rectangular space surrounded by buildings varying from two to four stories on three sides.

The northern end of the courtyard is the old city wall with the gate looking out onto the sea. Upon stepping through the gate, one finds themselves on a ledge overlooking the ocean. This ledge forms a path which hugs the wall.

About two hundred feet down from the gate, the path starts to widen and make room for a series of thin and tall houses which have been built into the wall. The courtyard, due to the fact that it houses one of the gates, acts as a principle activity node (30) within the city.

As stated in the previous drawing (see drawing one,) one of the most important things about this site is its relationship with the rest of the Medina.

The Kasbah is part of a series of neighborhoods which are nestled one inside the next, such as a series of Russian dolls (holy ground- 66.) This is also built into the hierarchy of open space (114) of the city. In this particular instance, one can start off with the modern areas of Tangier with their large, busy streets. From there one crosses through a threshold into the Medina.

Spatially, the Medina is much more constricted but also quieter. However, one can still hear the noise from the nearby street echoing throughout the cavern shaped streets. Eventually, one crosses through yet another threshold into the Kasbah. While the streets are the same proportions and size of the Medina, it is much quieter than the rest of the city. There is a sense in which the Kasbah acts as a large scale quiet back (59) for the city. Also, the Kasbah is located on the highest hill in the city. Thus, up to this point one is continuously travelling uphill. This leads to the Kasbah acting as the resting spot on top of the hill. After wandering through the Kasbah one stumbles into the site. This is the first time that the space starts to open up since the first entry into the Medina. Finally, after stepping through the northern gate one is found in on the ledge facing the sea (high places- 62.) This single scenic spot acts as the pinnacle of the journey one just took through the city.

Lastly, the Kasbah as a whole acts as a social subculture boundary (13.) Originally, the Kasbah acted as the Jewish district in the city. This is still demonstrated in the colors and architecture found in the Kasbah. Now, it houses (or recently has housed) many wealthy and influential Western figures.

Place du Mechoir

Tangier, Morocco Drawing 2 of 10

One could argue that Piazza San Marco is perhaps one of the single most important urban spaces in Venice. This is due to the fact that its original intention was to be used as the central gathering space in the city. Upon its construction, and to this day, it is the largest piazza within the city. Today, it has a similar purpose.

On the one hand it is still is the largest urban space in Rome and houses many of the historic festivals for which the city is known, but at the same time, it has become the face of Venice to the rest of the world. This is reflected in the fact that the most popular tourist attraction in the city is the piazza and some of the most famous buildings in the city face into the piazza.

Due to how central Piazza San Marco is in terms of urban spaces within the city, the piazza becomes the ultimate subculture boundary (13.) While it might not have the qualities of a physical boundary, this boundary exists in a metaphysical and cultural sense. Since it is considered as the city’s central gathering space, people from across the city will come and gather for certain events. At the same time, there is a sense that (at least in its past) it is one of the spots in the city where powerful figures, such as the Doge and the Catholic Church, met with the common citizens. Lastly, as stated before, this piazza acts as one of the most visited tourist sites in the city. So there is a sense in which Piazza San Marco acts as a common boundary between the Catholic Church, the Venetian government, the Venetian citizens and the international community. Furthermore, due to this convergence point, Piazza San Marco acts as one of the biggest activity nodes (30) in Venice.

The fact that the piazza acts as the official gathering space of the city is reflected in the physical space of the site. Unlike the rest of the city which is much more constricted spatially, Piazza San Marco is extremely open and airy. While the shape of the space is clearly defined (positive outdoor space- 106,) there is still this sense that it opens up to both the sky and the sea. The actual space is surrounded by buildings that range from three to five stories tall. However, due to the large footprint of the square, the buildings are not tall enough to define a dividing line between the space in the piazza and the sky beyond. Furthermore, there is an entire side to the piazza that opens up to offer views of the bay. The other important thing to note about the space is the hierarchy of open space (114) that is created. This hierarchy starts (working from small to large) with the canal Bacino Orseolo which acts as a transition from the city into the piazza. This in turn leads into the piazza itself. The clock tower located at the bend of the piazza (something roughly in the middle- 126) then acts as a divider which helps to subdivide the piazza into two separate spaces. Finally, the southern edge of the piazza leads into the undefined space of the avenue which runs along the water’s edge (access to water- 25.)

Piazza San Marco

Due to the sheer size of the piazza, it is difficult to sustain any kind of social activity in the center of the piazza. Because of this, the majority of the social activity, along with the activity pockets (124) that they are formed by; occur within the arcades (119) that encircle about two thirds of the piazza. It is along these edges that the majority of the night life (dancing in the streets- 63) starts to develop.

Venice, Italy Drawing 3 of 10

The canal Bacino Orseolo is an excellent example of an urban space whose importance lies in its relationship with another urban space. In this instance, the site has a crucial relationship with the Piazza San Marco (see drawing three.) There is a sense in which the canal and the piazza it adjoins are complete opposites, and it is because of this fact that they are able to thrive. Bacino Orseolo is not like most piazzas or streets. Instead of holding pedestrian traffic it pushes it through. This is because the site acts as an entrance transition (112) between Piazza San Marco and the rest of the city of Venice. This is further seen in the fact that the physical space does not act as a physical activity node (30) in the city. Rather, the piazza nearby acts as the central activity node (30) in the city and the canal acts as the area that everyone is funneled through while going to and from the piazza.

The fluidity of the site is further solidified through the actual shape of the site (positive outdoor space- 106.) Much like most other canals and streets in Venice, the majority of the space is a narrow space, half of which is occupied by the canal, which is then surrounded by four or five story tall buildings. This narrow and long space is most conducive to directing traffic. However, right before the colonnade which marks the entrance into the piazza (at the southern end of the site,) the space widens. This increased width of the space helps to further smooth out the transition between Venice’s constricted spaces and the wide open space of the piazza.

The other interesting thing to note is the location of the pockets of activity in and around the site. Much like the Tiber River space (see drawing six,) the activity pockets (124) for the site are situated linearly. Furthermore, the majority of the activity pockets site just outside of the northern or southern tip of the space. For instance, just north of the site there are a couple of restaurants that extend into the street and just beyond the southern edge of the site there are a number of tourist shops. This further creates the opportunity for more through traffic. The only two activity pockets that exist within the site are the boarding point for a gondolier service and a restaurant which are located at the southern end of the site. Interestingly enough, this is the only spot within the site where people tend to gather.

Perhaps the most important factor about the site (and the city in general) is its relationship to the water (access to water- 25 and pools and streams- 64.)

The important thing to remember about the site is the fact that its shape and layout is defined by the water. Not only is it defined by the water, but it also allows direct interaction with the water. This is due to the fact that it not only allows one to come up close to the water, but the southern half of the space allows one to embark into and come in direct contact with the water.

Bacino Orseolo

Venice, Italy Drawing 4 of 10

One of the factors that contributes to the life of the piazza is its location. In a sense, Piazza Navona sits on a line that acts as a subculture boundary (13) within the city of Rome. That is to say that it sits on the seam between two different groups of people. To the West of the piazza is a quiet residential neighborhood which gets little tourist traffic, while to the East there sits a series of embassies and tourist attractions such as the Pantheon. The Piazza acts as the threshold between the local populous and the international community.

The fact that Piazza Navona sits on this seam helps to make it an activity node (30) within the city. In other words it has a gravitational pull that attracts the city’s social life. Part of this is due to the fact that during the day its Quattro Fiumi Fountain by Bernini (and the piazza’s historical value in general) acts as a destination point for both tourists and vendors. Then, once the tourists have retired for the night, it becomes a gathering place for the local residents to the West.

One of the main spatial characteristics that defines the piazza is the fact that it is a positive outdoor space (106) or rather that it is a space that is a defined volume (much like a room.) The footprint is defined by the foundations of the Roman arena that once occupied the site. Furthermore, this feeling of being in a confined space is manifested through the fact that it is completely enclosed by buildings and each one of those buildings is relatively the same height. This sense of enclosure that it creates is vital in that it gives the occupants the subconscious feeling of being sheltered and thus more comfortable.

Another factor that defines the space and the social life within are the pedestrian streets that spill out into the piazza. The most trafficked of these being Via di Tor Millina which is the street that intersects the middle of the piazza at the West. These streets helps to create a hierarchy of open space (114) in which the smallest of alleyways eventually lead into the piazza.

Interestingly enough, the majority of the social activity happens within the constrained streets. The piazza then acts as a place where people can escape the chaotic and cramped streets to get a breath of fresh air.

The last defining spatial element of the space is the series of the fountains located roughly in the middle (126) of the piazza. The largest of these being the Quattro Fiumi Fountain located at the very center. One of the unique things about Piazza Navona is that it is abnormally large. Most piazzas this large simply are not capable of holding social activity because their overwhelming size. These fountains really are the only things that make this space work. They act as both an agent that draws people into the center of the piazza while also providing a place to rest that is not overwhelmingly exposed. Without them Piazza Navona would simply feel too large and exposed.

Piazza Navona

Rome, Italy Drawing 5 of 10

There are two distinctive halves to Piazza Navona. The Southern half is overwhelmingly emptier than the Northern half. This is due to the activity pockets (124) that have naturally started to form. Over time there has been a large amount of restaurants and shops that have developed themselves on the northern edges of the piazza. These thus established a series of pockets of human activity along these edges. Furthermore, there are a number of these pockets around the central fountains. On the other hand, the buildings that occupy the southern edges cannot be inhabited by any shops or restaurants and thus are incapable of housing these activity pockets. This lopsided combination has led to all social activity being pulled to the northern half. The last two factors that help to nurture these activity pockets is that the piazza acts as sunny place (161) where one can escape the shadows of the narrow, tall streets to bask in the sun during the day, and a natural gathering place for street musicians and other forms of night life (33) after dark.

This particular site is much more dynamic than most other urban spaces.

This is due to the fact that this urban space is set on the banks of the Tiber River. For the majority of the year the Tiber River is flooded, thus rendering its banks unusable. However, during the summer while the river’s water has receded, entire stretches of the banks are occupied. (One could argue that the desire to occupy the banks is driven by this inherent desire for access to water- 25.) Tracts of the river banks are occupied by hundreds of shops, restaurants, bars, clubs and temporary movie theaters. All of which are set up in temporary tents. Then, when the Tiber River starts to raise again, everything is packed up and the river banks are evacuated.

One could argue that part of the reason why this temporary urban space works so well is the fact that it is the perfect example of a subculture boundary (13.) The river helps to split the city in two. On one side is the majority of the old city along with the Roman ruins. The other side is occupied by additional, quieter neighborhoods along with the Vatican. During the summer months, the river then becomes the common ground between the two. The fact that it is such a distinct dividing line and that it provides access to the waterfront helps to make it an activity node (30) which thus helps to give it a distinct gravitational pull. However, the factor that contributes to the site the most is the space that it occupies (Positive Outdoor Space- 106.) The river is flanked on either side by two sloped walls which extend up some twenty or thirty feet to the street above. Then, at the street level, a line of the trees is stretched out along the top of the wall. The combination of the wall and the trees creates a thin and tall space that isolates one from the rest of the city.

The night life (33) of the space is different than most other urban spaces in the city. Unlike other piazzas, the shops and restaurants (the activity pockets- 124 of the space) are arranged in a continuous line instead of around a particular space. In effect, the social activity that occurs is constantly moving as opposed to stagnant.

Tiber River

Rome, Italy Drawing 6 of 10

The Campo di Fiori located just south of Piazza Navona is another one of the defining piazza in terms of Italian street life in Rome. This is largely due to the fact that the piazza has been deemed the official market place of Rome (Market of Many Shops- 46.)

While the piazza is not placed on a physical subculture boundary (13,) or what one might deem a physical boundary between neighborhoods, it does act as a metaphysical one.

As the official market place in the city, it acts as an activity node (30) in the city. This in turn draws people from all over the city and thus acts as a boundary, or rather middle ground, between the different groups and neighborhoods in Rome.

Like most other piazzas in the city, Campo di Fiori is marked as a positive outdoor space (106.) However, there is not a set height to the space. Unlike Piazza Navona where all the buildings are of an equal height, the buildings surrounding Campo di Fiori are of differing heights. This creates a sense in which the space meets the sky in a manner that is much less abrupt and definite. The space does not feel capped off. The combination of the space of Campo di Fiori with that of the smaller Piazza del Biscione helps to promote a hierarchy of open space (114.) While Campo di Fiori holds a majority of the social activity, the Piazza del Biscione at the north eastern corner of the piazza offers a quieter refuge from whatever is happening in the main piazza. The last defining characteristic of the physical space is the statue which asserts itself from the center of the piazza (Something Roughly in the Middle- 126.)

Campo di Fiori

Rome, Italy Drawing 7 of 10

The most important thing that is to be noted about the piazza is the social life of the piazza and the evolutionary process that it undergoes. Starting early in the morning and up through two o’clock in the afternoon, the piazza is filled with the busyness of the market. The period between two o’clock and five o’clock then acts as an intermediate stage. Finally, from five o’clock till late into the night, the market has been cleared and local restaurants start to expand into the piazza. As the night grows later, the night life (33) that Rome is so famous for starts to manifest itself in the piazza. This piazza, unlike most, has the ability to hold a series of social activities throughout the day. This in part has to do with the activity pockets (124,) such as the restaurants and market that line its circumference. Finally, one of the most important factors that influences the social life of the space is the statue in the center of the space (Something Roughly in the Middle- 126.)

During the earlier part of the day the market is a disorienting maze of booths and carts.

The statue, which stands above everything else, acts as a beacon that a passerby can orient themselves with. At night, the base of the statue starts to act as a gathering spot for locals and some of the street musicians.

Herengracht Canal in Amsterdam is not necessarily a famous or socially active space. It is like most other canals and streets in the heart of Amsterdam: quiet and relaxed. This is mainly due to the fact that there are no major activity nodes (30) along these residential streets. In truth, these nodes are often times located outside of or away from the canals. Or, in the case that these nodes do intersect with the canal, they are often times spread far apart. It is no different with this canal. Any activity nodes (30) are outside of the extents of this site. Interestingly enough, there are also few activity pockets (124.) On streets such as those around the canal, one might come across the occasional store or cafĂŠ, but for the most part these streets are occupied by private residences. In the case of the Herengracht Canal, the majority of the activity pockets (124) occur in the form of restaurants and shops at the intersections of canals and streets. This low density of activity pockets and nodes creates a situation where these streets become promenades (31.) Essentially, this site becomes a connecting thoroughfare between the areas with more social activity. This lack of social activity also creates an environment that is much more peaceful and encourages a more informal stroll for those who so happen to be passing through.

This casual stroll is also encouraged by the general shape and proportions of the canal. The overall shape of the space is defined by both the canal and the buildings that face into the canal (positive outdoor space-106.) Every building, on both sides of the canal, is offset the exact same distance from the canal creating a wall that helps to define the space. However, every building is of a different height and material which keeps it from being too formal as well as helping to break up the length of the space. Furthermore, there is a hierarchy of space (114) which is created by two rows of trees that subdivide the space. The trees create a central space which is occupied by the canal and then two narrow spaces along the roads. These spaces, which are much narrow, help to create a space that is conducive to directing traffic and encouraging to the creation of the promenade.

However, the most important aspect of this site is how it interacts with the water (access to water- 25 and pools and streams- 64.) The way the water is treated is much different than the sites in Venice (see drawings three and four.) Essentially, Venice is built over top of the water, which is a much more passive approach. One the other hand, the Herengracht Canal demonstrates more of a dominance and control over the water. This canal, along with the other canals in the city, was dug out and the water was rerouted throughout from the bay. This dominance is further shown in how the locals interact with the water. In Venice there is very little interaction with the water, but here the relationship between the people and the water is much clearer. It is not uncommon to see a couple sitting at the canal’s edge or for a couple of friends to take their boat out onto the water. There are also instances where the water is permanently occupied and entire houses are placed in the water. This demonstrates a more informal relationship between the residents and the water than most other places. Most other major cities the public is kept at some distance from the water while in this canal people are encouraged to interact with it.

Herengracht Canal

Amsterdam, Netherlands Drawing 8 of 10

This next site is one of the larger Underground Tube stations located in London. More specifically, it is the Bank Station which is located in the heart of London’s financial district. It is also a larger transfer station for a number of other railway lines. Now, there are many who would argue that the Banks Station, or any underground Tube station for that matter, cannot be considered an urban space. This argument is founded on the fact that it does not reflect the qualities of most other urban spaces, such as being open to the air or that it is not at the street level. Many would consider a space like this a building. However, one must remember that any one of these stations is an entryway into an immense network that spans for miles. It is not a building in the sense that the space of the entire system is not confined. Furthermore, it reinforces the fact that the urban fabric of London is not restricted to a single, two-dimensional plane. This entire underground system starts to demonstrate how a city can start to grow three-dimensionally. Thus, if the entire Underground railway network is considered as an urban space, then its corresponding stations become a connecting space between this one system and the rest of the city.

As stated above, this space (whether it is considered an urban space or a building) is so important because it acts as a junction between the Underground railway system and the surface. This system is arguably one of the most important pieces of London’s urban fabric. This is due to the fact that it acts as the major component of the web of public transportation (16) within the city. The combination of this entity’s sheer size and its function as one of the main forms of transportation in the city has interesting implications. For example, one could argue that the entire system acts as a three-dimensional subculture boundary (13.) Since it acts as the main connector between just about every neighborhood in London, it acts as an immense common border. The other implication is that, since the stations act as both a connector between railway lines and the surface, these stations (especially the Bank Station) then act as major activity nodes (30) within the city. These nodes are further solidified in that they help to connect the transportation networks at the surface with the underground network.

Bank Station

London, England Drawing 9 of 10

Moving through the Bank Station is also unlike moving through other urban spaces. This is due to the fact that the station is divided up into a series of horizontal levels (circulation realms- 98.) This first level or realms is mainly for access into the station. At street level there are a dozen or so stairwells which lead down into a common hallway. From there, all the traffic is directed into one single space. This space is where tickets are sold and access is granted into the subway system. From here, one continues down a series of escalators which lead into the lower levels. Since this station acts as a transfer station there are multiple trains, and their corresponding levels, stacked on top of each other. So, either when first arriving or transferring, one must go through a series of these levels to get to their train.

The main quality that makes Finsbury Circus so interesting is how it contrasts with the rest of the neighborhood around it. Actually, it could be argued that the very reason for the space’s success and social activity is because of this contrast. The park is tucked away in the main financial district of London. As such, it is surrounded by a sea of concrete, stone and glass buildings. At the same time, there seems to be very few other parks within the area. Thus, this lone park starts to act as a refuge from the concrete jungle beyond (access to green- 60). This fact then makes it a heavily used activity node (30) within this area of London. (At this point, it should be noted that half of the park was walled off for construction, so this analysis is in terms of its current, temporary state not according to how it will be upon completion.) The other thing that is interesting to look at how the space it situated in terms of the rest of the city. Most urban spaces, including parks, often are set in or right next to a subculture boundary (13.)

This more often than not creates a scenario where the space is almost constantly being used and that there is a rich demographic of people using it. However, Finsbury Circus is located at the very center of financial district. In effect, it is only used by a very specific group of people and only during very specific times of the week.

This sense of escape or refuge is further emphasized by the shape and hierarchy of space (114) that is created by the site. Normally, when the site is not under construction, it is a completely circular space with a road which encircles it. However, it is currently half of a circle with a dividing wall running through it. What makes this space such a successful refuge is that, once inside, one is completely blocked off from the rest of the city.

This is accomplished by how the trees start to inform the space (tree places- 171.) The main boundary between the park and the rest of London is a ring of thick and tall trees. Just inside of this ring is a single path lined with benches. This is the most occupied space within the park. Then, there is a second ring of bushes and trees which form and inner circular space (positive outdoor space- 106.) At the center of it sits an octagonal shelter with another series of benches and seating facing into it. However, one of the biggest factors that makes this space such a great place of rest is due to the fact that it is always shaded. Not only does the park create an area of physical isolation from the busy and stressful financial district, but it also protects against the heat and the sun.

London, England Drawing 10 of 10

Finsbury Circus