When I think of architecture and urban design I think of people who are working together to create pleasing spaces that promote all kinds of social interaction. Tongva Park in Santa Monica is a fairly small piece of land that feels expansive because of the way its interconnected walkways hide and reveal new areas to explore and wonderful places to be.
Nashwa Bawab writes about another kind of design – aimed at preventing social interaction. How ‘Hostile Design’ Hides in Plain Sight in Austin looks at tricks that designers use to discourage relaxing, resting, and chilling in specific areas. This type of design includes benches that can’t be slept upon, ledges you can’t sit on, architecture that intentionally discriminates against people with disabilities.
Even though hostile architecture is, well, hostile to certain human interactions that doesn’t mean it isn’t beautiful. Consider the Camden Bench, a lovely object that invites sitting but not lingering.
It reminds us that the Devil himself comes as an “angel of light.”
RELATED
Normally, however, the goal of architecture is to find ways to make space more livable.
SaveSave
