Whole Foods Market Entry with covered areas, a distinct main entry, and a trellis for a welcoming exterior atmosphere.

As mentioned in my last post, architecture can sometimes use metal elements to prevent unhoused people from sleeping or “loitering” around buildings. In James Petty’s commentary on “Hostile Architecture,” he discusses the idea of fortified architecture and ways that architects can manipulate and discipline groups of people through environmental mechanisms. This violent architecture can often be ignored as disguised metal aesthetic elements but really prevent people from laying down on a flat covered surface. However, sometimes the mechanisms are seen in the form of spikes as very obvious dwelling or loitering prevention strategies. Unfortunately, this hostility is often ignored and/or accepted by most people. However, people with the most problems with these devices are concerned with the urban aesthetics more than how it actually makes the unhoused population feel unwanted and further as outcasts. The concern then becomes the wide acceptance of violent tactics such as these and the ways they perpetuate socio-political and cultural forms of oppression and exclusion from society.

In contrast, the Whole Foods Market in Eugene creates outdoor atmospheres for all. Located near Downtown and considered one of the most upscale grocery stores in the area, one would expect to see hostile architecture and mechanisms outside its doors. However, Whole Foods actually creates environments for people to spend time outside the store. With awnings, trellises, abundant seating, many bike racks, and beautiful landscaping for moments of view and shade, the Whole Foods Market emphasizes the space’s ability to host people. The primarily wood exterior emphasizes a welcoming, home-like environment and even the windows start about 2 feet off of the ground to allow some privacy to both those outside and inside. Overall, despite the prices not being welcoming to all, the architecture of Whole Food Market in Eugene allows people to dwell in the built environment in a variety of ways, regardless of their status or the rainy weather.