A Space for Commoning

from Leisure Water Uses As Urban Commons : A Play Element in Metropolitan Brussels

Redefining a Common Square

Quick sketch : Commoning Room

Imagining a space for commoning or a group of people, in general, is not an easy task. The idea of a common pavilion proposed in this project intends to create the most flexible and appropriable architecture.

[Space] The scale of the building tries to keep human scale with a typology of only one level. The proportions also attempt to keep it to a size of a community, a numerous amount of people but not exaggerating the numbers.

[Generic] To please most commoners the spaces need to be generic to allow projection and appropriation. Bare materials are used for economic and generic qualities of colours. This also provide easier recycling cycle afterwards.

[Urban living room] Even if the space need to be generic enough to please all its users, it also needs to be as cosy and create an positive identity linked to social warmth. The wooden material of the ceiling and the walls creates this warm atmosphere while keeping it to its natural pretty generic material colour.

[Services] A space as beautifully design as it could be, would never work without its servicing functions. A decent amount of toilets are provided. Those don’t distinguish genders as a way to be as gender fluid and inclusive as possible. Few showers connected to changing areas are provided to allow cycling commoners and future bathing visitors to change and clean themselves. Locker boxes are present in the main corridor of the building allowing commoners and visitors to leave personal belonging. A storage space is envisaged to put away children play tools, towels and even longchairs. A terrace is extending the common room to the outdoor. It establishes the threshold between public and common, allowing to welcome parties and events creating this permeable interaction.

[Common Management]The small size of the building allows enough space while creating low maintenance levels. Management wise, this building could be shared between different communities and associations, this will permit building bridges while sharing a space.