The entrance to the Knight Library.

This is the secondary security to get into the library. In the image you can see the metal detectors set up as well as the front desk in the background. Once through the initial security room, the metal detectors and past the front desk, anyone is free to use the facilities provided by the library. 

Summary:

James Petty’s article on hostile architecture highlights the values of the public through their emphasis on image rather than community. Hostile architecture is described as anti-homeless architecture. This can be dividers on benches or spikes on doorsteps to prevent the homeless from sleeping there. Obstacles such as these are designed to keep the street “clean” and rid of the homeless that might devalue the neighborhood. Although there are supporters for hostile architecture, many people are against it and claim that the community cares about outward appearance rather than the wellbeing of the community. Rather than driving away the homeless, they feel energy should be spent helping the homeless. However, rough sleeping (an act of the homeless) evokes crime, disorder and poverty and thus devalues neighborhoods and dishevels once clean areas. 

Hostile architecture also works to keep the homeless out of certain areas altogether. Fences with spikes and barriers are used to block the homeless and unwanted. Although useful in fulfilling their intended purpose, hostile architecture does not always fit within the aesthetic of the community. People think it’s ugly and unappealing to the eye. Hostile architecture crosses the realms of social and physical space by physically making it challenging for a homeless individual to use a space and using the unwelcoming design of anti-homeless architecture (like the spikes) to make it socially known that they are unwelcome. 

Interpretation:

James Petty’s article about hostile architecture being used to create an unwelcoming environment for the homeless relates to the Knight Library on campus. Homelessness is a growing issue in Eugene and as an open campus, it is not unusual for a homeless individual to wind up on campus. Although there are outside benches and spaces that are welcome to the homeless, areas such as residential and classroom buildings have certain precautions that keep the homeless out of such areas. The Knight Library on campus has an initial security walkway to get through the first set of doors. Once in, there are metal detectors and a front desk to get through in order to enter the main library facilities. Though these security measures are not spikes or fences, they are precautions taken to keep homeless individuals out of student populated areas. This is for the safety of the students as well as the reputation of the school. The university does not want to be “tainted” by the image of a campus riddled with homeless people so it takes certain precautions to make the homeless unwelcomed on campus. Precautions like this are the hostile architecture James Petty was describing in his article.