SOCIAL STEPS Public Staircases as a Social Architecture Typology Wisma Atria, Tampines 1 and Star Vista, Singapore
Chek Hong Yao Gabriel Hyosoo Lee Ong Mei Shi Rebecca
Figure 1. Staircase outside Wisma Atria
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[Abstract] Staircases today have evolved to function beyond providing inter-level circulation. Several staircases have been envisioned and thus designed to stand alone as social architecture, while some have almost naturally transformed into such spaces despite no obvious architectural, historical or cultural reasons or incentives. Famous examples include the Spanish Steps in Rome which is renowned globally as a public space, used voluntarily and spontaneously by many, while the Times Square in the United States of America is famous for facilitating public social interaction when it has been specifically designed to function as seats by its visitors to watch shows. The success of such staircases in encouraging social interaction is affected by several factors. Some factors could include: the physical dimensions of the stairs or surrounding context.
to the surrounding elements and location significantly affects how a staircase can be considered successful social architecture. Simultaneously, notable public staircases in different countries will be studied to yield some possible elements that could also contribute to the phenomenon but are not apparent in the Singapore case studies to show what may affect their success in functioning as social architecture. These observational studies and analyses will aid in forming a more conclusive analysis of the significance of public staircases as social architecture that could promote interaction amongst people. Keywords: Staircases, Activity, Gathering spaces, Typology
Along with several overseas case studies, this phenomenon will be analyzed in the context of Singapore in the paper using various fieldwork techniques including interviews, route mapping, photographs, diagrams, and climatic data. This paper will also further define the role of public staircases as a social architecture typology and determine the benchmark for a typical successful public staircase. The hypothesis is that certain aspects including but not limited 3
[Introduction]
[Precedents]
Staircases today have evolved to function beyond providing inter-level circulation. Several staircases have been envisioned and thus designed to stand alone as social architecture, while some have almost naturally transformed into such spaces despite no obvious architectural, historical or cultural reasons or incentives.
Spanish Steps, Rome Built in 1725, the Spanish Steps (Italian: Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti) are a set of steps in Rome, Italy, climbing a steep slope between the Piazza di Spagna at the base and Piazza Trinità dei Monti, with the Trinità dei Monti church at the top. The monumental stairway has 135 steps and was made famous when it was featured in the 1953 film Roman Holiday, starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. (Figure 2)
We begin our study by looking at two precedents: famous staircases renowned globally as public spaces and used extensively, voluntarily and spontaneously by many. Such steps thus appear to facilitate public social interaction very well, possibly beyond tangential design intentions. Yet, other steps do not exhibit such facilitation. The diverging social outcomes of such spaces will thus contribute to the analysis of the steps. Next, three staircases within Singapore will be studied: Wisma Atria, Star Vista and Tampines. Utilising investigative fieldwork and critical evaluation, the results from behavioral mapping will be analysed to prove how and when these staircases can be used successfully as social spaces. After a conclusive analysis to know key design aspects of individual staircases that contribute to each success, these aspects will be consolidated, compared and generalized, thus aiding in the proposal and development of key design aspects of successful social staircases that will be able to function successfully as social spaces. 4
TKTS Booth at Times Square, New York, USA As part of the international competition to redesign the TKTS Broadway Ticket Booth, the winning entry by Perkins Eastman + Choi Ropiha was an urban design response to the public space in Times Square in New York. The staircase above the booth features 27 steps faces the busy public square and illuminates at night. It was built in 2008. roposal and development of key design aspects of successful social staircases that will be able to function successfully as social spaces. (Figure 3)
[Methodology]
Figure 2. Spanish Steps, Rome (Photo Credit: Alkistis (Lola) Avgeris)
Figure 3. TKTS Ticket Booth, New York (Photo Credit: PaĂşl Rivera/ArchPhoto)
Along with several overseas case studies, this phenomenon of public staircases functioning as social spaces will be further analyzed in the context of Singapore. Various fieldwork techniques will be incorporated in the research to provide a more reliable basis and to gain a better understanding of the conditions felt and observed on site. This will include written observations, periodic photographs, videography, analytic diagrams, as well as interviews with several users to better determine and inform on the possible relations with various aspects of the site that could contribute back to the phenomenon as factors. Through the further behavioral mapping of the activities, environment, interactions, relevant objects, and the users on-site, the paper will explore and evaluate three existing public staircases in Singapore; namely the public steps found along Wisma Atria, in Star Vista and in Tampines One mall. With similar conditions but varying usage, the subtle differences between these sites will provide a comparative platform for the evaluation of our hypothesis and thus aid in forming a more conclusive standard of successful public social steps.
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[Wisma Atria]
Orchard Road, Singapore Site Context The context in which the steps of Wisma Atria exists have been recorded to provide essential details in comparison with the other case studies to prove what the relevant aspects are in defining the social landscape with respect to such an architecture typology. It will also show if these details are key in influencing the social success of these steps. Wisma Atria is situated in central Singapore, along Orchard Road, a fourlane central district in Singapore. The public steps leads up to the front entrance of the mall but is wide enough to stretch along the entire front facade. It faces a wide pedestrian walkway which is buffered by bushes and huge trees from traffic in Orchard Road itself. This mall is sandwiched between another two other high-end prominent shopping malls - Ion Orchard and Ngee Ann City - and there is Tangs Plaza and Lucky Plaza beyond the road it faces. Stair Design The straight 100m wide staircase has 12 steps, each with a 30cm horizontal surface and 14cm rise. The steps are paved with white concrete which captures less heat on the surface compared to other coloured concrete. Along the staircase, there are bigger blocks that bound the ramps
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There are also coloured LED light strips built below the nosing of each step. They illuminate the site at night in various colour sequences. The lights turn on from about 18 30. This can however only be seen from the street level and is not obvious from the level that opens into the mall. Surrounding Facilities The staircase connects two different pavement levels, one along Orchard Road and another higher level on par with the entrance to the mall which are lined with various high-end fashion retail shops. There are also many benches and bins to be found across the steps on the lower level of the pedestrian walkway.
Figure 4 - Axonometric
Figure 5 - Big blocks and ramp
Figure 6 - Wisma Atria Site Context 7
Fieldwork Covert observational studies were conducted throughout two days from the time 1630 to 2030., with selected interviews conducted during and after the site observational studies. This specific timing and duration was chosen for its greatest change in site conditions as well as to capture the part of the day where the steps are usually used the most so as to better evaluate the success of this set of steps. Figure 7 - Staircase
Temporal Events and Activities The presence of temporal events and activities have possibly led to the increased extent of usage of the steps. Throughout the observational studies, the activities that were recorded around and on the steps included busking, the purchase of food, the maintenance of steps, as well as social activities like gatherings, smoking, celebrations and taking photographs. Figure 8 - Front View From The Staircase
Figure 9 - Stair Lights 8
The seemingly more prominent events that contributed to the phenomenon to a larger extent were social gatherings, social photography, busking and the purchase of ice cream from the temporary push-carts that were located along the walkway.
Observation
Figure 10. Ice Cream Booth
Figure 14. Busker
Figure 11. Cleaner
Figure 15. Selfie
Figure 12. Lying position
Figure 16. Leaning on the big steps
Figure 13. Phone calling
Figure 17. Selfie with Busker 9
4:30 pm.
5:00 pm.
5:30 pm.
6:00 pm.
Staircase Usage 22 July 2017 (Sat), 4.30pm - 8.30pm
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6:30 pm.
7:00 pm.
7:30 pm.
8:00 pm.
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Phone
Resting
Analysis
4.30pm to 5.30pm
5.30pm to 6.30pm
6.30pm to 7.30pm
7.30pm to 8.30pm
Time of Day
Wisma Atria
Ta
22 July 2017 (Sat)
23 J
Activity vs Time-of-the-day, (duration radius)
Act (du
Activity
Talking
Talking
Eating
Eating
Phone
Phone
Resting
Resting
4.30pm to 5.30pm
5.30pm to 6.30pm
Figure 18. Diagram:
6.30pm to 7.30pm
7.30pm to 8.30pm
Time of Day
Activity against Time-of-the-day, duration radius
Activity vs Time-of-Day The charts shows how the times of the day do not have much impact on the general activities. However, we observed that most of the people are sitting at the steps from 5.30pm to 8.30pm - from the constant number of records through these time periods. One possible reason for this might be them waiting for family and friends for dinner.
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Acti
Duration (radius)
Resting
Resting
Children (0-10yrs)
Teenagers (11-19 yrs)
Adults (20-55 yrs)
Elderly (55+ yrs)
Age Group
Wisma Atria 22 July 2017 (Sat)
Activity vs Age Groups, (number of people radius) Activity
Number of People (radius)
Talking
Eating
Phone
Resting
Children (0-10yrs)
Teenagers (11-19 yrs)
Figure 19. Diagram:
Adults (20-55 yrs)
Elderly (55+ yrs)
Age Group
Activity against age groups, number-in-group
Activity vs Age Groups The charts show how the majority of people sitting at these steps include youths and adults (students and working adults). This could be due to the appeal of Orchard to these age groups or the close proximity to the workplaces.
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[Tampines 1] Tampines, Singapore Site Context Located next to the Tampines MRT station, Singapore, the 5-storey building has multiple floors of F&B and retail. The staircase studied is split into two parts, with the outdoor high fashion retail and F&B shops dividing in, (shown in the Figure ). The area is sheltered with the high ceiling from the overhanging floor above. The staircase connects two different pavement levels, one along the walkway between Tampines 1 and Tampines MRT and the other - on the lower basement level - beside the entrance to the mall
Figure 20 - Floor Plan
Figure 21 - Right Staircase Section
Figure 22. Site Context 14
which are lined with various food shops. Dimensions and Design As mentioned earlier, we will be studying the two staircases simultaneously. On the left, the triangular staircase features widths from a wider 6m entrance to a narrower 3.5m entrance. On the right, there is a more regular 6.6m wide staircase. Both staircases have 27 steps with a middle landing, each with 25cm tread and 16cm rise, the smallest of the three case studies. The steps are tiled with white tiles and are below handrails that flank the staircase in intervals along the horizontal direction.
Figure 23 - Left Staircase
Fieldwork Covert observational studies were conducted throughout a Sunday (23 July) from the time 1630 hrs to 2030 hrs. The specific timing and duration was chosen for its greatest change in site conditions to evaluate the particular success of this set of steps better.
Figure 24 - Right Staircase
Temporal Events and Activities The space in front of the right staircase did not allow for any major activity to occur, unlike the other two case studies where there was a wide space for temporal events and activities such as busking and performances to take place. In addition, any attempts to carry out an event there might be hard as it blocks
Figure 25 - Temporal Activities 15
people’s access to enter the mall. However, there was a kids ride at the front of the stair which attracted kids to ride on it. There was space for a small roadshow booth of 1.5 by 3m in front of the left staircase. Lastly, the escalator at the left staircase broke down, which caused people to use the steps to get to the basement level, which would otherwise be less utilised.
help demarcate places to sit and provides support for people to rest on their side. Interestingly, a father and son who were sitting beside the middle handrail agreed that they would not sit there if it was not there when we approached them. The walls along the side also provided support if people choose to turn their backs against it, increasing the variety of sitting postures one could adopt at this staircase.
Observations
Sitting Configurations
During our studies, we observed some interesting ways the built environment influenced people’s behavior at the staircase.
Another observation was how people sit in pairs or groups. As they would like to sit in a manner that they could have a conversation, they sit in varied positions in order to do so. Some of them sit side by side while side walls
Sitting Postures The narrow steps only allowed for a upright sitting posture if they would face the front. In addition, we noticed that some people had their feet placed two steps below, instead of one, possibly for a more comfortable sitting position.
Handrails & Side Walls The presence of handrails along the sides and center of the staircase has influenced the way people sit. From what we observed, the handrails 16
Figure 26. Sitting Possibilities
Observations
Figure 27. Sitting Postures
Figure 31. Sitting Positions
Figure 28. Sitting Configurations
Figure 32. Interactions
Figure 29. Group Activties
Figure 33. Employees taking a break
Figure 30. Circulation
Figure 34. Avoiding the sun 17
4:30 pm.
5:00 pm.
6:30 pm.
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Staircase Usage 23 July 2017 (Sun), 4.30pm - 8.30pm
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Time of Day
Analysis Tampines 1 23 July 2017 (Sun)
Activity vs Time-of-the-day, (duration radius) Activity
uration adius)
Duration (radius)
Talking
Eating
Phone
Resting
Time of Day
4.30pm to 5.30pm
5.30pm to 6.30pm
Figure 35. Diagram:
7.30pm to 8.30pm
Time of Day
Activity against Time-of-the-day, duration radius
Activity vs Time-of-Day The design of the steps limited the range of activities that could occur. Hence, we observed that many of the individuals were using their phones rather than eating, talking and resting. One possible reason is due to the design of the steps discouraging people from interacting with others.
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6.30pm to 7.30pm
Tampines 1 23 July 2017 (Sun)
Activity vs Age Groups, (number of people radius) Activity
mber of People dius)
ge Group
Number of People (radius)
Talking
Eating
Phone
Resting
Children (0-10yrs)
Teenagers (11-19 yrs)
Figure 36. Diagram:
Adults (20-55 yrs)
Elderly (55+ yrs)
Age Group
Activity against age groups, number-in-group
mber of People dius)
Activity vs Age Groups We have observed that most of the users were adults consisting of employees and migrant workers. Families did not see the need to sit at these steps because there was no events happening.
ge Group
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[Star Vista] Buona Vista, Singapore Site Context Likewise, the context in which the steps of Star Vista exists is important in providing essential details to prove our conclusion of the relevant aspects defining the social landscape with respect to such an architecture typology. It will also show if these details are key determinants influencing the success of the steps. Located next to the Buona Vista MRT station, Singapore, the 5-storey building is home to the iconic Star Auditorium as well as multiple floors of F&B and retail. The building is also noted to be naturally ventilated with the employment of passive
Figure 37 - Staircase
Figure 38 - Floor Plan
Figure 39 - Site Context 22
design strategies for cool winds to pass through the building, including the feature staircase, which connects the first and basement level.
Dimensions and Design The 30m long staircase features two types of steps. Firstly, there are 39 small steps along the side, each with 30cm tread and 14cm rise. Secondly, between the small steps, there are 13 large steps, each with 95cm tread and 40cm rise. These steps are paved with a dark grey and light grey tiled surface.
Figure 40 - Step types
Fieldwork Covert observational studies were conducted throughout a Saturday from the time 1630 hrs to 2030 hrs. The specific timing and duration was chosen for its greatest change in site conditions to evaluate the particular success of this set of steps better.
Figure 41 - Event Space at the front
Temporal Events and Activities The presence of temporal events and activities might have possibly led to the increased extent of usage of the steps. Throughout the observational studies, the activities that were recorded around and on the steps included the Japanese flea market that was ongoing when the team was on site, where one can purchase food, watch live performances,
Figure 42 - Lights 23
Observations During our studies, we observed some interesting ways the built environment influenced people’s behavior at the staircase. Sitting Postures The wide and deep steps allowed for various posture compared to other staircases studied.
Figure 43. Squatting
Each step of the staircase provided a wide space for people to sit upright, leaning back, lotus position, sideways, squating, and even lie down. Sitting Configurations Another observation was how people sit in pairs or groups. As they would like to sit in a manner that they could have a conversation, they sit in varied positions in order to do so. Some of them sit side by side while some would form a circle by sitting up and down staircases. Multi-Function Because of the design of the staircase, wider range of activities was observed. Some would use the staircase as a sofa, where one can lie down to rest, and some would use the staircase as a workspace where one uses not only phone, but also laptop. At the same time, some would use the staircase as a table for writing and eating.
Figure 44. Leaning
Figure 45. Upright
Figure 46. Lotus Position
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Observations
Figure 47. Kids playing
Figure 51. Green spaces
Figure 48. Performance at event space
Figure 52. Sleeping
Figure 49. Leaning back
Figure 53. Using phones
Figure 50. Using the laptop
Figure 54. Sitting by the pillar 25
4:30 pm.
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6:30 pm.
7:00 pm.
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Staircase Usage 24 June 2017 (Sat), 4.30pm - 8.30pm
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5:30 pm.
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8:00 pm.
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Analysis Star Vista 24 June 2017 (Sat)
Activity vs Time-of-the-day, (duration radius) Activity
Duration (radius)
Talking
Eating
Phone
Resting
4.30pm to 5.30pm
5.30pm to 6.30pm
Figure 55. Diagram:
6.30pm to 7.30pm
7.30pm to 8.30pm
Time of Day
Activity against Time-of-the-day, duration radius
Wisma Atria
Tamp
22 July 2017 (Sat)
23 July 20
Activity vs Time-of-the-day, (duration radius)
Activity v (duration
Activity
Talking
Talking
Activity vs Time-of-Day The chart shows how the users tend to Eating sit at the steps for a longer time during 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Most of them were Phone either waiting for family and friends to join for dinner or wait for the performance Resting event to start at 7pm. 4.30pm to 5.30pm
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Activity
Duration (radius)
5.30pm to 6.30pm
6.30pm to 7.30pm
Eating
Phone
Resting
7.30pm to 8.30pm
Time of Day
4.30p to 5.
Star Vista
Tamp
Activity vs Age Groups, (number of people radius)
Activity v (number
23 July 20
24 June 2017 (Sat)
Activity
Activity
Number of People (radius)
Talking
Talking
Eating
Eating
Phone
Phone
Resting
Resting
Children (0-10yrs)
Teenagers (11-19 yrs)
Figure 56. Diagram:
Adults (20-55 yrs)
Elderly (55+ yrs)
Age Group
Child (0-10
Activity against age groups, number-in-group
Wisma Atria 22 July 2017 (Sat)
Activity vs Age Groups, (number of people radius) Activity
Number of People (radius)
Activity vs Age Groups Talking The majority of users at this steps were youngEating working adults and parents with children. This is possibly due to the close proximity to workplaces and universities Phone like NUS. Star Vista also houses many F&B outlets, making the mall an attractive Resting to place to meet and have dinner. Children (0-10yrs)
Teenagers (11-19 yrs)
Adults (20-55 yrs)
Elderly (55+ yrs)
Age Group
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Diagrams Star Vista 24 June 2017 (Sat)
Activity vs Time-of-the-day, (duration radius) Activity
Duration (radius)
Talking
Eating
Phone
Resting
4.30pm to 5.30pm
5.30pm to 6.30pm
6.30pm to 7.30pm
7.30pm to 8.30pm
Time of Day
Wisma Atria
Tampines 1
Activity vs Time-of-the-day, (duration radius)
Activity vs Time-of-the-day, (duration radius)
22 July 2017 (Sat)
23 July 2017 (Sun)
Activity
Activity
Duration (radius)
Talking
Talking
Eating
Eating
Phone
Phone
Resting
Duration (radius)
Resting
4.30pm to 5.30pm
5.30pm to 6.30pm
6.30pm to 7.30pm
7.30pm to 8.30pm
Time of Day
4.30pm to 5.30pm
Figure 57. Diagram:
5.30pm to 6.30pm
7.30pm to 8.30pm
Time of Day
Activity against Time-of-the-day, duration radius
Star Vista
Tampines 1
Activity vs Age Groups, (number of people radius)
Activity vs Age Groups, (number of people radius)
24 June 2017 (Sat)
6.30pm to 7.30pm
23 July 2017 (Sun)
Activity
Activity
Number of People (radius)
Talking
Talking
Eating
Eating
Phone
Phone
Resting
Number of People (radius)
Resting
Children (0-10yrs)
Teenagers (11-19 yrs)
Adults (20-55 yrs)
Elderly (55+ yrs)
Age Group
Children (0-10yrs)
Teenagers (11-19 yrs)
Adults (20-55 yrs)
Elderly (55+ yrs)
Age Group
Wisma Atria 22 July 2017 (Sat)
Activity vs Age Groups, (number of people radius) Activity
Number of People (radius)
Talking
Eating
Phone
Resting
Children (0-10yrs)
Teenagers (11-19 yrs)
Adults (20-55 yrs)
Elderly (55+ yrs)
Age Group
Figure 58. Diagram: 30
Activity against age groups, number-in-group
Comparison
[Factors]
longer periods of time.
Through exploring different staircases, we can conclude that various aspects surrounding the staircase affects on how the stairs are being used.
Secondly, the width of the steps can dictate certain programs - for example, wider steps in Star Vista allowed for users to be in more sitting/resting positions by leaning back and extending their legs out. Some users were also comfortable in lying down on their backs along these steps, as the space allowed for that. However, in Wisma Atria, users were mostly sitting down upright as the small steps gave no room for them to take the other sitting/resting positions in Star Vista
Dimension & Design From the analysis of the case studies and fieldwork, we can conclude that a careful consideration of step dimensions and its design is one main aspect of successful social staircases. Firstly, both staircases at Wisma Atria and Star Vista had a combination of small steps and big steps to cater to different programs and users. The large steps (95cm tread and 45cm rise), as seen in Star Vista, are generally more comfortable for people to sit and stay for
Lastly, wide staircases allows for the usage of steps for social gatherings. The 100 meter wide staircase at Wisma Atria gave much room for circulation from the mall to the pedestrian walkway along 31
Orchard Road while the allocation of the small steps beside the large steps at Star Vista gave a visual cue on how one should circulate along the staircase (though there were kids who traveled down the staircase via the large steps, interfering with users who were sitting on them).
Shading In addition to dimension and design, shading was another aspect that affected the usage of the steps. In Wisma Atria, it was evident through the timelapse and seat diagrams that there are increase in number of users after 1600. In the Singapore, where the climate is tropical, Wisma Atria’s step that is outdoor and unsheltered may be an unconducive place for people to utilize when the sun hasn’t set. However, Star Vista’s step which is semi-outdoor and sheltered provides a more conducive environment for users to utilize at anytime of the day. Furthermore, the structure of the roof which is above five levels allows better ventilation and wind access maintaining coolness in the steps.
Surrounding Program Through analyzing the site and conducting fieldworks, we have concluded that both surrounding permanent programs and temporal programs of the site affects the usage of the steps. In Wisma Atria, the time lapse observation has shown that people are mostly gathered in front where the busker is performing and where the ice cream booths are 32
located. Furthermore, the vibrancy offered by the shopping street in Orchard attract people, for instance the tourists, to rest in the steps. In Star Vista, the time lapse observation and interviews have showed that temporal activities, such as performances and bazaar on the atrium, bring people to use the step, and the garden near the steps create a more relaxing environment for people to relax. In addition, because most of the surrounding permanent programs are restaurants and shops with no seating area, steps is the only place where people can sit without spending. However, unlike the other case studies, the staircase in Tampines 1 did not have any surrounding temporal events.
[Conclusion] From the case studies, it was evident that the aspects stated above affects the duration spent and activites at the staircase. In addition, we found that the assumptions that we had for the case studies proved to be incorrect and at the same time, we were able to notice a pattern of behaviour that was not obvious prior to our study. Perhaps designers of future public spaces could carefully consider using these factors to create vibrant, multi-functional staircase for an efficient use of space.
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