AGHAAZ: EXPERIMENTING INFORMALITY OF ARCHITECTURE THROUGH THIRD SPACES

Abstract

Architecture is either becoming out of context and repetitive, or on the other hand becoming more prudent and sensible in terms of sustainability, participatory pianning etc. and these aspects are gaining importance among architects and designers but though we are getting better at designing in environmentally conscious ways incorporating green spaces, avoiding the wastage of sources but the buildings somehow still lack the sensitivity towards the human behaviors and human programmatic needs. As a result the spaces designed prioritize objects over subject, exchange over the value and ignore other social and aesthetic qualities leading to the creation of spaces that are increasingly scripted and homogenous. Complimenting this statement is the fact that an anti-LEED campaign has been started, that believes that achieving mere building sustainability means nothing if the human context and human needs are being ignored. A solution to these problems has been provided by human behavior itself by their inclination towards informal spaces and an example is in the form of third places, places used for work but other than home and offices famously star bucks, the spaces that help people continue their activities in a more flexible and human oriented environment. The core challenge of architectural spaces should be to facilitate the users need for interaction, comfortable living and connected learning opportunities to nourish creativity, inspiration and innovation