Qualities of good public areaLingjie Gan

My perspective of itFirst sight attraction For Me personally the reason that usually attracts me to a site is

its over aesthetic and atmosphere, regardless of whether it is a café or libraryI am easily attached to sites that creates a sense of reminiscence, creating some sparks of emotional connections. There is a vague distinction between sites that I would or would not go to and it is usually due to my own perception of being a part of it, or on the complete opposite, the will to explore the mystery.

External environment

The two external environmental factors that impacts my decision are rather polarised, I partly enjoy public recommendations and high population in especially restaurants and cafes; however, on the other hand, I would expect the around the corner with unique decorations. In total for me, I am always attracted to sites that are considered ‘special’ in some sense, either through personal or public taste.

Interior design In very specific terms, I am attracted to site which has a sense of enclosure and secure. I object to sites that are overall crowded and noisy however enjoyed the feeling of being ‘surrounded’.I also appreciate interior designs with simple yet having sense of personality as if it is narrating a story.

Surrounding environment

Due to my personal taste, I prefer areas close to water site in which it creates a sense of flexibility and softness, it is also easily manipulated by light and the wind, which defines its unpredictable characteristic. I also prefer environment that is relatively soft and gentle instead of rough and fierce. This is contributive to my favour of artificial, Asian landscape art decoration.

SITE ONE

Location: public sitting area outside of Wentworth building

Time: 2:00 P.M.

Weather condition

The weather condition of the day was extremely windy however moderately sunny.

Therefore, at the day of investigation, when the observer is positioned around the sitting

area outside of the main entrance, strong wind blew from the only major entrance, in which

the wind was being concentrated on and it was extremely difficult to even hold an umbrella.

Most area without seats are shielded under the shadows of the verge gallery, other areas,

especially concentrate with most visitors, are fully exposed to the public and to sunlight.

Geographical location

The geographical location was close to the verge gallery in which provided visitors with an

exploration and attraction, it also contributed to the overall relaxing and calming

atmosphere of the environment. It is considered an attraction for both local university

students and external visitors.

The site was also enclosed by two to three major buildings, in which prevented strong

sunlight and provided a strong sense of enclosure and formality.

Arrangement and decoration

The site is decorated with both the artificial as well as the natural manmade environment,

decorated with natural plantations. The walk way provided the visitors with plenty of space

for activities and the decoration of stone concrete also contribute to the momentum and

calmness to the site.

The site is also surrounded by the Wentworth building which is decorated in vibrant colour

mosaic patterns, conveying a sense of modernity and clarity. The design of the verge gallery

as well as the stairs around it are built in stone concrete material which contrast to the

modern design of the surrounding and provide a sense of solemnness.

Participant

The participants’ composition is composed of usually pairs, secondly individuals and thirdly

groups of more than, or equal to three. Most participant tend to sit at the stairs which is half

exposed under the sun and half covered, at the stairs, visitors are usually sitting in groups of

two and composed of different.

Of approximately 22 people, 5 are sitting solely by themselves and there is one group of

more than 3 people.

People walking pass are usually in one or in pairs. However, the site sometimes encounter

large groups of usually more than 15 people Chinese tourists, which are usually just walking

past visitor who are barely attracted by the environment or the verge gallery, encountering

usually a short time stay of less than two minutes.

Activities

The activities of people by themselves are usually sitting down, enjoying food or looking

down at their phones, or having their earphones enjoying the scenery.

People in pairs on the stairs are usually couples joyfully chatting or enjoying food together.

People waiting around the sits are usually blankly sitting or on their phones.

Time lapse

The time lapse of individuals enjoying food is approximately 10 minutes and people in pairs

usually stay for longer than 20 minutes.

Scenery

The site demonstrated an astounding connecting between the artificial indoor enclosure

and natural outdoor views. There people enjoys the pleasingly designed Wentworth building

and connected to the student accommodation of intriguing design decoration. The scenery

provides views to both the park and major construction buildings.

Advantage - There provides plenty of space for both sitting and walking pass

- Connected to public student utility, for example the canteen and library

- Fully equipped traffic connected to major roads and upper campus

- Enjoyable opening to public outdoor and extension from sitting area

- Levelling and sense of connection to building or outdoor completely by choice

Disadvantage - Strong wind can be considered extremely undesirable for people wishing to

enjoy food or studying with paper

- Sun exposure at sitting area prevented staying for more than 20 minutes

especially in summer

- Due to the high exposure towards the public area, the amount of noise of

surrounding people or groups, or from the leaves brushing, can be considered

relatively high.

SITE 2

Location: café close to close to the Sci-Tech library

Time: 2 P.M.

Weather condition

The site offers a full coverage of 80% of the area however the strong wind has been

concentrated to the only entrance of the site and therefore making the cold relatively colder

contrasting to the other side. On the other hand, the site is completely protected from the

rain and other extreme weathers.

Geographical location

The opening of the area which includes a large window which provides views of the outside

to the Cadigal green and its surrounding buildings, which is considered as rather active

scenery of shivering trees and flowing population.

On the other side, there is the rather still scenery of the verge gallery opening at the other

side which contrast to the natural scenery.

Participant

The participants of the site are usually students which constitute approximately 90% of all

participants and are mostly sitting in pairs of two, totally up to approximately 60%. There

are also a minimal amount of tourist who usually encounter short stay without purchasing

product from the local café.

Seating

Offering a wide range of sitting options but lacking choice of the majority of visitors who are

usually by themselves or in pairs of two, of the table are usually large tables containing

approximately 15 more people.

However, the arrangement provides plenty of seats which are 70% empty.

Activity

Activity that people encounter there, who are majorly students, are usually enjoying coffee

or meals purchased from the café, a minority of them are on their computers studying, or

on their phones, activities that does not involve paper.

Advantage - Concrete coverage usually prevent exposure of sunlight however

still allowing enough for basic activities.

- Offering both indoor and outdoor options

- Uncontrolled and unpressurised studying environment

- Industrialised sense of decoration contrasting to the warm,

comfortable and lovely surrounding environment of the inside

with colourful decoration of both the inside and outside of the

area.

Disadvantag

e

- Noise level from people sitting outdoor and the massive flow

passing by is extremely high and disturbing.

- Concentrating wind to one direction from the entrance made the

atmosphere sickening.

- Untidy outdoor environment due to exposure, etc. bird.

- Exposure to the eyes of public

- Not considered suitable for paper work study due to the weather

condition.

Interview

The interviewee reflected that the reason that attracted them to the site is the beautiful

scenery from the opposite side of sitting, however the disadvantage is the extremely cold

environment. The noise level is not considered a concerning issue as the student was

wearing headphones. She spent approximately half an hour there whilst having food and

then studying on her laptop.

SITE 3

Location: Cardigal garden

Time: 2:30 P.M.

Weather condition

Although being a fully opened area, the site is the minimal in terms of wind and it provides

choice of either staying in or out of the shadows, however the exposure to sunlight is

minimised and usually not provided with sitting space. The site is also surprising unaffected

by the natural plantation which surrounds it.

Geographical location

The site functions for majorly students who chose to stay or pass by from the walkway on its

outside.

The geographical contouring was being levelled in which provide possibilities of outdoor

activities. It is being centralised by a gigantic tree in the middle and contrasting the

surrounding modern buildings is the vintage old school buildings.

The site also provides ergonomic, naturally comfortable seats that not benefit the students

who chose to sit there but also people who are intending to stay.

Participants

The participants are usually sitting by themselves individually anticipating the seats. People

sitting at the grass land area are usually in groups of two, exposed to the sun. The rest are

usually positioned around the circular bench in groups of two or more.

A minority of people rarely tends to enjoy sports on the large grass area.

Activity

Listening to music- 30%

On their phones- 50%

Watching the scenery and chatting 20%

Eating 10%

Rugby practice

Advantage - Provision of comfortable ergonomic environment

- Combination of both natural and artificial environment’

- Moderately quiet as there is only one opening towards the

public

- Relaxing and calming environment

- Eliminating the sense of enclosure completely

Disadvantage - Too much opening to the nature. Insects, bird and falling leaves

etc, as well as being too opened to the public

- Not very suitable for studying as there are no tables or chairs

- No indoor area for more moderate temperature appropriate for

staying

SITE 4

Location: openarea outside of the Wilkinson building

Time: 2: 30 P.M.

Weather Condition:

The weather is extremely windy, however the site blocks 20% of the coverage from sunlight

whilst still having enough of sunlight for outdoor studying, 80% of the area is relatively

shady.

The composition and arrangement of tables allow people to either face, or turning their

back at the sun.

Geographical location:

The site is connected to city road, tightly connected to the Wilkinson building, the natural

environment surrounding centralises a giant three which tidies the overall composition. The

site is very concealed from the public.

Participants

The participants are completely composed of students from the Wilkinson building that are

usually sitting in groups of more than 4 from 1 to 2 p.m.

However there are 50% of both participants sitting in individual or in pairs, and consisted of

majorly passing by Wilkinson.

Activity

People in pair of two are usually enjoying their food and chatting. People sitting by

themselves are usually on their phone ear phones or their laptop.

People walking pass are usually by themselves or chatting in groups of two.

Advantage - Sense of enclosure

- Providing convenience for Wilkinson students

- Connection to indoor space for study and eating

- Relatively prevented from external noise

- Appropriate exposure of sunlight

- Outdoor BBQ provision

- Suitable for group events

Disadvantage - The selection sitting is rather limited

- People smoking at the entrance could be potentially concerning

- Not prevented from crawling insects

- It is limiting entrance for outside students as the entrance is

extremely unnoticeable

SITE 5

Location: close to the entrance of the University of Sydney

Time: 2:50 P.M.

Weather condition:

The location is extremely windy due to its full exposure to the open space, however the

exposure to sunlight is due to the personal selection of the visitor.

Geographical location:

The open location of the are allows great range of visitor at the entrance which attracts a

variety, and multicultural flow of customers. It is connecting to the main university road as

well as being connected to the Quantangle grass area and the Carslaw building. It is also

considered an attraction to the visitor in itself. It provides relaxing location for staying, and

its wooden construction and a combination of both humble coloured material and

contrasting, reflective black mosaic material.

Participants

It is usually composed of university students on the inside of the half opened café space.

The sitting ace consist of usually university students who are studying on their laptop as well

as enjoying coffee, or sitting in pairs. Tourists usually comes in groups of more than three,

usually sitting around the entrance at the trees, passing by students.

Advantage - Moderating between the opened and the closed areas

- Wooden material building- modernised nature

- Black reflective mosaic wall

- Very multiculturalised

- Concealed from the public (relatively)

Disadvantag

e

- Noise control

- Flow of traffic

SITE 6

Location

Open area outside of the carslaw building

Time 3:00 PM

Geographical location

Extending inwards from the main city road to the carslaw building, large are of grass of

laying and chatting, creating more rooms of relaxation comparing to the other spaces.

Enjoyable scenery from both the artificial and modern carslaw building/sculpture and

shielding wooden stage at the back. Being majorly enclosed by building and artificial grass

land although having very large entrance and surrounded by natural environment, also

connected to indoor café.

Weather

Fully exposed to the sun and experiencing extreme wind, the sun is shining right ot people’s

face when facing the main entrance.

Participant

Sitting outside of the café, usually Individually or in pairs tend to lay on the grass usually in

groups or pairs. Passing by passenger are usually in pairs coming in or from the carslaw

building. Tents of hosting societies or groups.

Activity

- Studying on laptop or enjoying coffee

- Barely looking at the phones

- Chatting/ sunlight bath

- Hosting of clubs and society

Conclusion

Desirable outdoor area Undesirable outdoor area

1. Minimised amount of noise

2. Rather concealed from the eyes of

the public

3. Connected to access of food

4. Connected to Greenland area

5. Indoor shelter surrounding

6. Dispersed sitting arrangement

7. Variety range of selection of sitting

area

8. Access to both indoor and natural

scenery

9. Allowance for chatting and talking

10. Comfortable sitting for both chatting

as well as studying

1. Strong wind

2. Cold weather

3. Overall crowded environment

4. Uncomfortable sitting