Hidden Urban Jewels
Hidden Urban Jewels
Interstitial, secondary and non-programmed spaces inside and outside of buildings are most interesting when they develop a life of their own. These may be attached or stand alone structures, like parking garages, or the ‘spaces in between, like the laundry rooms and equipment spaces. In an open urban context there is great opportunity for these spaces to become places of gathering and social interaction. At Parking Structure #6 in Santa Monica, for instance, the meandering “red” stair fulfills this unexpected quality by becoming an “exercise’ stair with people running up and down the flights, as well as a place to rest and to enjoy the view over the Santa Monica Bay. Deliberate or not, often those spaces become the true value of a building or urban environment.