Reading Summary:

Petty describes the topic of hostile architecture and how its purpose is meant to segregate and attack a portion of the population. Most commonly, hostile architecture applies to the homeless population, attempting to remove or sway them from resting in prime locations of the city.

Hostile architecture is a prime example of a punitive city, as discussed by Petty. One of the most common forms of hostile architecture is spikes, as seen in London. They are used to control where homeless people can sleep and are usually placed in typical locations such as public benches or under overpasses. This is an example of control enforced by the government which can be linked to prior readings of surveillance societies. Additionally, hostile architecture can lead to gentrification, by creating a “nicer” neighborhood that can no longer be afforded by lower-class people. This is evident in New York with Mayor Giuliani increasing the supplanting of the homeless population while increasing the level of surveillance.

Hostile architecture also serves as a symbol. The spike is a physical representation that homeless people are unwanted by the city. It also serves as a tangible sign of the punitive city. However, recently, the notion of spikes are changing with people becoming more socially conscious. Spikes are a reminder of the unfairness of today’s society and it triggers public compassion which shifts the discussion of homelessness from a castaway problem to something that is recognized by the city and can lead to positive changes.

Building Analysis:

The Hult Center is a high-end Performing Arts Center in downtown Eugene. It is located in an easily accessible portion of the city and sees regularly high traffic with sold-out shows in either its 500-person theater of 2500-person theater. The exterior of the building is meant to resemble the neighboring Cascade mountain range depicted in the roof form. The interior lobby space continues the theme with a green carpet and a wooden structural grid resembling the forest floor and trees respectively. Furthermore, the staircases are painted blue to resemble the rivers running down the Cascades.

Since the Hult is one of Eugene’s premium facilities, the city of Eugene is expected to keep it nice. Though there is no hostile architecture directly present with clean benches and an absence of spikes, examples of security walking outside to request homeless people to sleep elsewhere are relatively often.

This view depicts the Hult Center’s facade resembling the Cascade mountain range was well as the nearby area which features no physical examples of hostile architecture.