The Inner Studio - Riverside Architectural Press

PART ONE | THE INNER WORLD OF THE PSYCHE
bodies in space. They know what space is for. It’s not just for us to
move through, but to be in. To enjoy the sense of being physically
included. I could see how gracefully people stood in space. They
gestured and talked or read the paper, but mostly they seemed
naturally confident in their bodies’ position in the space. Even the
clothes they wore seemed designed for this purpose. They seemed
to know that being in space is a sensual experience.
I wanted to understand the role design played in their knowing. A
non-smoker, I bought a pack of cigarettes so I would have something
to do, walked out into the middle of public space, and lit a
cigarette. Then I noticed the oversized human figures. In every
public place, planted in space, naked or draped, human or mythological,
stood magnificent stone figures. I began to wonder if these
were the teachers that mentored everyone. If you can’t be Marcus
Aurelius, you can at least stand like him. These statues, with all
their passion, expression, and quite literally larger-than-life
drama, were introducing us to the idea of being in space and
expressing our selves. They also make it impossible to feel alone in
space. They offer a very physical gift that ensures the place you
are entering is full before you arrive. There is no chance of being
alone or the first one to the party. Yes, there are spaces devoted to
different purposes, such as markets or religious spaces or cafés, but
beneath this level of purpose is the sensual experience of trusting
your body in space. Italian clothing seems more draped for standing
in than fitted for action. Posture, gesture, repose, waiting,
walking, watching, and talking take on special importance in
public space. Space is for being in. Space is for occupying. It’s the
message from the humanist space age. The piazza is a great classroom–it
teaches us how to hold our ground in the world. This
knowledge is transferred out to streets and lesser places. Great
cities are designed for being in, not moving through.
When we try to build new piazzas in North America we forget to
include these instructions. We build public space but forget to tell
people what it’s for. Why would we go there? In North America we
are trained by design decisions that places are for doing something.
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