Architecture of Sharing Space: The Third Place

Abstract

A build community can be categorized into three types of places, "first place" is home or a more privatized space, "second place" is work space (office) and "third place" is a connection of both which is more socially oriented and interactive space. The third place is a breathing space for a community that offers recreation and leisure activities for all age groups. Such spaces draw people in effortlessly. Due to increase in commercialization and build infrastructure, spaces for social gathering are. scarce which includes open and green spaces in a community. Whereas places with green and open spaces are more lively and people oriented. This not only affects people's social life but also their health. Studies have shown that exposure to outdoor environment increases attention span, reduce stress, improves mood, and enhances creativity, hence there is a need to pay more attention on the development of such spaces in our urban context, where currently lesser spaces for community interaction and events/activities are provided which restricts the growth of strong communal network. Through intelligent programming strategies architecture can build meaningful connections between the site and its surrounding urban fabric. The playful design will help unifying the concept with the form of the building that brings together separate spaces into one through a central "event" space. This porosity of geometry will help in creating flexible spaces which can be used in wide range of different activities and is interactive and easily accessible by the user. In communities of Islamabad such as Korang Town (selected site) the built spaces are gradually reducing the open spaces which can be used as a space for outdoor recreation and several activities by the residents. The site is a vacant area with natural contours owned by the village adjacent to the community. This site can be converted into a space for gathering and a communal activity used both by the town residents and villagers that strengthen the bond between people and improves community living.