Journal #10
The characteristics of space lie in the physical characteristics of the space described. This means geographical location, the dimensions, borders, and what your five senses tell you about where you are. Space is what is on the surface, what most people initially observe when they come into contact with such space. For example my work space in Arizona, is probably about 200 square feet and is quaint. It smells like paper and looks messy scattered with books and pens. It is quiet, absent of loud noises from neighbors or roommates. The desk is wood and feels as if the tree were cut only yesterday. That is the space I described, but place is a different story.
Place is a more in depth look at a location. Asking what role, or purpose that the location serves is asking in terms of place. The functions of the place, how it achieves its goal is another question to answer. Does it benefit, or hinder? May it exclude or include? Again turning to my workspace for example the place is effective at serving its purpose. Sure it might be small but it's big enough to fit my books and materials. It provides a space where my brain will switch into school mode without a hitch. It facilitates an environment that allows me to focus on the task at hand, and not the tasks I have outside the room.
Place and space are intertwined in that space constructs the users' thinking toward place. How something looks forces assumptions in people's minds which in turns makes the place assumptions to be a reality. The normality of space and place comes from architects' universal design better known as UD. This makes places and spaces have familiar feels rather than foreign. The UD allows people to know what a space and place is before they see a sign or look through a window.
(Image: hallway lit up with bright colors)