Originally, outdoor space was a crucial part of urban areas. Think about quaint villages where the homes were around a village green. Even ancient settlements had open space, including parks and plazas. It was vital for community activities, including meetings, markets, and events. However, the nature of these destinations is different today, with Interior Urbanism getting more focus. We want to have a look at the change, then if you need help from architects in London, you can speak to us.
What do we see now?
While many urban areas still have parks, plazas, and other pieces of outdoor public space, they also tend to have sprawling interior spaces. This can be things like huge shopping malls, transport hubs, and even hotel lobbies or libraries. Huge atriums and wide open spaces are a common sight in urban areas around the world.
The development of these spaces is known as Interior Urbanism. They are a combination of an interior space and a massive open public plaza, two things that would typically be at opposite ends of the spectrum. They have become a vital part of public areas, especially in towns and cities.
The interesting thing with Interior Urbanism is it challenges the nature of public and private spaces. Some of these are private, including hotel lobbies. However, others are open to the public and have become a crucial part of day to day life. Not surprisingly, they have many of the features we expect from outdoor spaces, including seating and space for people to move around comfortably.
What is quite surprising is the idea of Interior Urbanism dates back to the 60s/70s. There are some impressive examples from the period. Peachtree Center in Atlanta is a famous one. It was a new district, designed with a network of skybridges to connect various buildings. People can move around the area without having to go outside and interact with the streetscape.
Increasingly necessary
There are pros and cons for Interior Urbanism. However, it is impossible to argue against its importance, especially with climate change. For example, people rush to these spaces to escape from the rain. Ones with air conditioning are even more important in hot countries. Designs increasingly encourage people to stay for long periods of time. Just think about shopping centres.
Do you need help from passionate architects in London?
Coffey Architects appreciates how urban areas evolve and needs change. Open public spaces like parks and plazas are still vital to health and wellbeing. However, large interior ones are also crucial today. It is important to design each of them carefully to make sure they maximise liveability and satisfy the needs of the users. It is also crucial to make sure they connect with the outdoor space, becoming an integrated part of the area.
If you are trying to design this kind of structure, we would love to help. We are award winning architects in London. So, you can rely on us to satisfy your brief and provide plenty of useful insights and ideas.