I have found similar veins of thought in discussions about walkable cities, and occasionally in arguments over architecture. Stuff like the difference between our homes being cocoons or places of visitation; how ruthlessly utilitarian structures make humans feel vulnerable; even details like laying out a party such that people have to move around to do different things, forcing them to interact.
I don’t recall whether it was at Bell Labs or at Princeton, but I recall someone thought the single long hallway to the cafeteria was an important feature of the work space because it was the only time you bumped into everyone reliably.
Looking at these examples we have micro (homes and hallways at the office) and macro (cities), but I do feel like small town are a neglected middle.
I grok this feeling.
I have found similar veins of thought in discussions about walkable cities, and occasionally in arguments over architecture. Stuff like the difference between our homes being cocoons or places of visitation; how ruthlessly utilitarian structures make humans feel vulnerable; even details like laying out a party such that people have to move around to do different things, forcing them to interact.
I don’t recall whether it was at Bell Labs or at Princeton, but I recall someone thought the single long hallway to the cafeteria was an important feature of the work space because it was the only time you bumped into everyone reliably.
Looking at these examples we have micro (homes and hallways at the office) and macro (cities), but I do feel like small town are a neglected middle.