History of Interior Archtiecture

Not In Our Backyard

by | Jun 14, 2023

Not In Our Backyard: Addressing Hostile Architecture

Knight Library exterior

Knight Library

Introduction
Eugene, Oregon has become an epicenter for one of the largest homeless populations in the United States. Located in western Oregon and the home of a public university, University of Oregon, Eugene has a unique and welcoming culture with diverse community members. However, the rising numbers of unhoused individuals settling in the city have caused a number of Eugene natives to react negatively. Eugene is facing an anti-homeless epidemic that evokes hostile architecture tactics deliberately excluding unhoused individuals.

There are over 3000 homeless individuals living in Eugene. City officials believe this may be due to the gentrification of major surrounding cities like Portland and Seattle forcing poverty to spread to rural areas across the state of Oregon. In addition to this speculation,  a large contribution to this rising rate of unhoused individuals may be the lack of housing opportunities available in a given area. As an advocate for providing equal basic needs for all individuals, I feel as a community, we should do everything in our power to support fellow community members who do not have a home. I believe economic recourses are a key factor in the government’s hesitation on taking the necessary measures to provide shelter for the unhoused. If that were the case, I feel at minimum community members can do their part by omitting aggressive tactics like hostile architecture.

The definition of hostile architecture is “when public spaces are intentionally designed to exclude humans or human use” (Blackwell). Hostile architecture can be observed in two ways; explicit and implicit. Explicit is overt and easily identifiable. It most often takes place through spikes, rocky pavement, fencing, or barred quiet corners. Implicit may be less noticeable and often go unnoticed by the general public but are deliberately aggressive and non-inclusive to all people that may live in a given community. It includes ways a community may modify, remove, or alter urban furniture to target a specific group of individuals. In this analysis, I want to explore how the ways urban furniture may be considered hostile toward homeless individuals in Eugene.

Building Analysis
The building I have chosen to analyze is Knight Library located on the University of Oregon Eugene Campus. Built in 1926, this library has been a long-valued resource in the Eugene community. This library is open to the public twelve hours each day Monday-Friday. Despite this building a community staple, through the research of fellow students and myself, we have discovered that this library has some areas of growth to be more inclusive towards the unhoused community in Eugene. Through an analysis of its indoor accommodations, and urban furniture at its exterior, there are many examples of subtle hostility we were able to identify surrounding Knight Library. All individuals not affiliated with the university have to be at least 16 years of age and provide proof of Oregon residence during all hours all while passing through an intimidating lobby antechamber upon entering. This idea was mentioned in a student research document of Knight Library titled “Sense of Home” by Alison Hicks. They discuss how the space should be evaluated based on if the space is designed for dwelling vs living. This resonated with me in reference to Knight’s atmosphere. A public library is a unique space for students and the Eugene commuting seeking a home-like sanctuary space and should reflect that through the inclusivity of all individuals. The number of hours spent in a given space should be reflected in the resources provided to accommodate its users for that length of time, and I can agree that there is a noticeable gap in these resources at Knight. The accommodations in this space do not necessarily provide all key qualities of a home, which in turn, exhibits a  “novyi byt” effect.

Knight Library exterior Knight Library Exterior

Knight Library Entrance- Lobby Antechamber

Knight Library Entrance- Lobby Antechamber

Knight Library Entrance- Lobby Antechamber

Hostile Seating

 

Knight Library-“novyi byt” effect

 

Knight Library-“novyi byt” effect


Urban Furniture Analysis
Communities that are less open to supporting unhoused individuals in outdoor spaces have developed strategies within outdoor urban furniture to intentionally restrict and target those who wish to sleep or stay. This includes explicitly hostile elements like spikes, rocky pavement, medians, and fencing. As well as implicitly hostile features expresses through bench dividers, pegged communal benches, extended bike racks, seating height changes, large gaps in seating, and rounded benches. As a class, fellow students and I have compiled a list of the ways individuals in Eugene have modified urban furniture to restrict or deter unhoused individuals with unnecessary additions of hostile architecture. Listed below are the types and locations of hostile architecture found in areas located at or near Knight Library.

1. Bike Rack Placement: acts as a physical barrier and prevents camping.

2. Seat-level surface pegs: dividers or additions force individuals to be seated in uncomfortable or upright positions, preventing a possible quiet place to rest for a night.

3. Bench Dividers: deliberately aggressive and non-inclusive to all people that may live in a given community.

4. Uneven Seating: uncomfortable and prevents laying down for extended periods pieces of furniture like these target homeless individuals and restrict people from safe overnight spaces.

5. Uneven Seating: These seats are attached together like a traditional park bench, however, they are constructed at all different levels and are separated by individual seats. This prevents anyone from laying down or taking up the space of more than one seat at a time. To most visitors at the university, this may simply look like a modern take on a traditional park bench by its designer, however, pieces of furniture like these target homeless individuals and restrict people from safe overnight spaces.

6. Metal Railings: barrier created to prevent seating on seat-level surfaces.

Bike racks surrounding the Education Annex parking lot in Eugene, OR and preventing camping on the sidewalk.

(1) University of Oregon Education Annex Parking Lot camping

 

(2) Matthew Knight (Left) (5) Hayward Field (Right) University of Oregon

Uneven Seating Diagram- Hayward Field

 

bus benches side of lillis

(3) Lillis Business Complex University of Oregon

(4) UO Student Recreation Center

 

The retaining wall at US Bank on campus

(6) US Bank: 13th Ave and Alder Street


I would describe the overall experience of an unhoused person in the urban space surrounding Knight Library to be extremely negative considering the hostility taking place through the urban furniture offered. Hostility throughout urban furniture such as choice seating constantly prevents unhoused individuals from laying down or seeking comfort. These discriminatory features are a definite issue that creates an unsettling environment for the community. This area lacks support and inclusivity for all members that currently live in our community and there needs to be a change.

I believe if community officials are failing to make changes by providing the necessary resources to support unhoused individuals in their community, the best course of action would be to remove hostile architectural features throughout the city. If we are contributing too little support to those that are unhoused, so much so that they have no place to stay, I feel allowing the use of an unoccupied bench for rest is a fair trade. The purpose of hostile architecture is to restrict those that are homeless and this technique within architecture speaks about a particular culture. I hope that in the future Eugene can become more welcoming and supportive to the vulnerable members of its community.

Bibliography

Aileyj. “Spaces of Confinement.” Spaces of Confinement, blogs.uoregon.edu/prison/2022/06/07/recreational-waters/. Accessed 11 June 2023. 

Background – Eugene, or Website, www.eugene-or.gov/DocumentCenter/View/65815/HOME-ARP–Data-Report_FINAL_April-22?bidId=. Accessed 11 June 2023. 

Bekahe, et al. “History of Interior Architecture.” History of Interior Architecture, blogs.uoregon.edu/h3s23/2023/05/17/suggestive-use-of-furniture-at-the-knight-library/. Accessed 11 June 2023. 

Blackwell, Amy. Barbour Product Search, www.barbourproductsearch.info/what-is-hostile-architecture-blog000481.html. Accessed 14 June 2023. 

Bystarkv, Posted. “Hostile Design Chooses Who Is Part of Their ‘Public.’” History of Interior Architecture III, 31 May 2023, blogs.uoregon.edu/historyofinteriorarch/2023/05/31/hostile-design-protects-only-some-types-of-public/. 

Danbiek, et al. “History of Interior Archtiecture.” History of Interior Architecture, blogs.uoregon.edu/h3s23/2023/05/17/discriminatory-furniture-design/. Accessed 11 June 2023. 

Faithw, et al. “History of Interior Architecture.” History of Interior Architecture, blogs.uoregon.edu/h3s23/2023/05/30/hostile-architecture-bike-rack-placement-in-the-education-annex-parking-lot/. Accessed 11 June 2023. 

Hicks, Alison, et al. “History of Interior Architecture.” History of Interior Architecture, blogs.uoregon.edu/h3s23/2023/05/09/sense-of-home/. Accessed 11 June 2023. 

lsmith21, et al. “History of Interior Architecture.” History of Interior Architecture, blogs.uoregon.edu/h3s23/2023/05/30/dont-choose-here-hostile-architecture-in-eugene/. Accessed 11 June 2023. 

Mlovette, and on June. “History of Interior Architecture.” History of Interior Architecture, blogs.uoregon.edu/h3s23/2023/05/28/go-away-ducks-uo-hostile-architecture/. Accessed 11 June 2023. 

Rilynnz, et al. “History of Interior Architecture.” History of Interior Architecture, blogs.uoregon.edu/h3s23/2023/05/23/not-so-public/. Accessed 11 June 2023. 

Sbaker8, Name, et al. “History of Interior Architecture.” History of Interior Architecture, blogs.uoregon.edu/h3s23/2023/04/11/knight-library/. Accessed 11 June 2023. 

Sbaker8, on June, et al. “History of Interior Architecture.” History of Interior Architecture, blogs.uoregon.edu/h3s23/2023/05/31/hostile-design-at-the-university-of-oregon-examining-lillis-business-complex/. Accessed 11 June 2023. 

Hostile Architecture on 19th and Mill

by | May 30, 2023

Bus stop

LTD 27 Bus Stop; Lane Transit District, Route 27, 19th and Mill Street, Eugene Oregon

At first glance, this bus stop doesn’t seem out of the ordinary, although with further inspection many might take notice of the lack of seating. This is a common technique for targeting unhoused individuals. Throughout Eugene, you will rarely find a bus stop that has both a bench and shelter covering it. A sheltered and covered area may attract unhoused individuals so city planners have retracted the common courtesy of having a dry place to sit or sleep at bus stop locations to restrict unhoused individuals from using them. Omitting design features simply to prevent a minority group from using them is a distinct characteristic of hostile architecture.

Bus stop sketch

Diagrammatic sketch of hostile architecture

Hostile Architecture at Amazon Park

by | May 30, 2023

Park trail structure and bench

Amazon Park bench

This Amazon Park bench structure is located at an intersection of unpaved running trails and features a small wooden bench perfect for two individuals to sit with a wooden divider. There are six metal hooks to hang one’s belongings, and a roof to cover its inhabitants. Although this may look like a welcoming place for runners to switch shoes or rest, there are design features present that intentionally target unhoused individuals from using this space. I find this bench and structure to be considered hostile architecture because of three characteristics: a 90-degree backrest, large gaps between wooden panels on the backing, and the seat divider. The reasons I believe may have led the designer to make these decisions are because the bench is covered, in a quiet and secluded location, and has no harsh lighting for sleep the designer implemented hostile features that would make this space uncomfortable and undesirable to unhoused individuals.

 

Park bench drawing highlighting hostile features

Diagrammatic sketch highlighting hostile features

Save Me a Seat?

by | May 24, 2023

Save Me a Seat?

Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art Exterior

Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art Outdoor Courtyard

Reading Summary 

This week’s article discusses how modern exteriors have recently incorporated new techniques to reduce homeless individuals using their property as a place to stay. Businesses have become increasingly private and securitize and restrict those that are unhoused. There is no way for this development to be hidden in a way that other users do not see these antihomeless defense mechanisms for their true purpose, so therefore the public has had no choice but to vocalize their opinions on the subject. If we are doing too little to support those that are unhosed and they do not have a place to stay, wouldn’t allowing an unoccupied bench to rest on be the least we could offer? Many citizens of London do not agree with this new security addition to exterior businesses throughout their city and they aren’t exactly aesthetically pleasing either. The most common inhibitors to unhoused individuals rest places is the insulation of spikes to the ground of semi-sheltered spaces beside doorways or businesses implementing benches that are only comfortable for seated positions as opposed to lying down. These additions are seen as hostile forms of architecture. Their only function is to get rid of those that are homeless, although what does this technique within architecture say about a particular culture? Do designers have an impact on targeted violence or hostility toward vulnerable communities?

Building Interpretation 

Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
1430 Johnson Lane Eugene, OR 97403

As a public campus, I have found Univerity of Oregon fairly accommodating and non-restrictive in regard to seating accessibility throughout the day and night. However, I took notice of the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art having a private outdoor courtyard with tables and chairs restricted by tall fencing. In my opinion, the security of these courtyards adjacent to either side of the museum leaves them unoccupied which feels to me like nearly one hundred percent of the time. Never in my three years of attending the university have I seen someone spend time in these courtyards and I believe this may be caused by the rigidness and hostility that comes with fenced-in seating and dining spaces. I feel that if other seating and dining areas on campus are available to the public around campus then so should the museums. As a designer, it is hopefully your mission to accommodate every single person that may interact with your space, if public, and they should feel welcomed.

Musical Chairs

by | May 17, 2023

Musical Chairs

Coffee shop outdoor seating

Espresso Roma Outdoor Dining Patio

Reading Summary 

There is a degree of privilege in being an able-bodied individual that is often overlooked. Having a body that easily conforms to the standard selection of chairs was not a topic of discussion until the beginning of the nineteenth century when the number of office-based desk jobs increased and with that the addition of women in the workplace increased. In the earlier stages of all genders accepted in corporate work environments, there was a clear divide in the quality and effectiveness of essential working materials. Especially within the corporate environment, the comfort and physical health of executive men was the primary concern. This can be observed not only by the chairs employees were given but also by how the desks and personal spaces were hierarchies: front desk versus cubical versus private office. If there is unspoken discrimination regarding the design of chairs, what other areas of our lives are reduced based on anatomy? Once this issue was brought to the attention of modern designers, there was a new interest in creating a multipurpose and universal desk chair for the modern secretary or executive, regardless of their gender. A chair like this would be supportive, adjustable, and easily maneuvered for any body and any task throughout an office. And with all considered, each individual should have an opportunity to choose what works best for them and their body to ensure comfort and support.

Building Interpretation

Espresso Roma
825 E 13th Ave Eugene, OR

The Espresso Roma chair is similar to any chair you might find in a coffee shop; a wooden seat, armless, and a slightly angled backing that’s made of what looks like black steel. Chairs like these are standard, simple, and basic, they get the job done. This type of seating is accommodating to most individuals although if I were to make a prediction I don think many individuals would choose this type of chair to remain seated in for an extended period of time. However, this assumption was quicking proven incorrect. My observations at Espresso Roma indicated that despite the simple design of these chairs, students often come to independently study in these seats for hours, and if not studying, meet with friends to have conversations well past their food or beverages are finished. This lead me to the conclusion that not all chairs have to be nap-worthy or multifaceted. A chair is made to serve the purpose of seating for those who want to satisfy tasks in a static state. As long as the seat accommodates all people in an equal way, it has served its purpose.