by Jesper Braun | May 31, 2023
Chapter 3 of “Women’s Places: Architecture and Design 1860-1960” explores the evolving role of women in the field of architecture and design during the period from 1860 to 1960. This transformative era witnessed significant social and cultural changes that influenced the opportunities available to women in these professions. The chapter begins by highlighting the emergence of women’s architectural and design schools in Europe and the United States. These institutions provided women with formal education and training, empowering them to enter the male-dominated industry. The chapter also discusses prominent female architects and designers who played a crucial role in challenging societal norms and paving the way for future generations. Furthermore, the chapter examines the impact of both world wars on women’s involvement in architecture and design. The war efforts created opportunities for women to contribute to the built environment through various roles, such as designing military structures and participating in post-war reconstruction efforts. Moreover, the chapter delves into the influence of feminist movements and ideologies on architecture and design. It explores how women architects and designers began to address issues of gender, identity, and domestic space through their work, challenging traditional notions of architecture as a male-dominated discipline. Overall, Chapter 3 provides a comprehensive overview of the changing landscape for women in architecture and design during the period from 1860 to 1960. It showcases the strides made by women in these fields and highlights the ongoing efforts to achieve gender equality and inclusivity in the built environment.
For this week’s post, I will be looking at Farmers Union Coffee Roasters. I’m choosing this location because I believe that it is characteristic of ‘feminine’ design and a result of the evolving role of women within architecture that began in the 19th century. There are several features that give this space a feminine feeling, one of them being the large pink coffee grinder. Another feature is the lightness of the space, created by both the skylight and the white walls/ceiling. Additionally, this space is distinctly interior architecture instead of interior design, a distinction that took a while to develop and which was a result of women’s progress within the field of architecture. It is interior architecture instead of interior design because it uses the structure of the building to create the feeling within the space, and the structure matches the interior feel of the space. I believe that if it weren’t for the large strides that women made within the 19th and 20th century, then this space would have a much less feminine feeling and be less socially accepted.
Interior of Farmers Union Coffee Roasters
by ethacker | May 31, 2023
Speedway express is a gas station located in Eugene, Oregon. Taking a closer look at the arrangement of gas pumps, we can see that on both sides of every pump is an upside-down u-shaped concrete bar. These structures block any open area that the unhoused or another unwanted group of people could sit or lay down at. The shape of them also makes it uncomfortable to sit on top of them. If the structures were not present, there would be a raised-up area of curb that many would try to occupy. The intent of these structures can be inferred but it is not obvious what they are being used for which makes them a great example of subtle hostile architecture.
Concrete structures used throughout a gas station.
A sketch of the concrete objects in relation to the gas pump and curb.
by kperrone | May 31, 2023
Thick cylinder blockages along side storefront curb.
Sketch of thick cylinder hostile architecture.
This example of hostile architecture is located at the 7/11 in Eugene, Oregon. It consists of a series of thick cylinder poles that line the sidewalk around the 7/11. This hostile design is targeting two groups of people, car drivers/customers and the homeless population in Eugene. The pole-like structures prevent the cars from going onto the sidewalk and getting too close to the store. While at the same time they are also serving as a blockade, blocking the homeless population from sitting on the curb surrounding the store. Therefore both methods are effective in keeping out two different groups of people from doing certain unwanted actions.
by ayakov | May 31, 2023
Hostile design ramp/bench in front of Hayward Field, used as a signifier for a level change. The different levels within this ramp/bench deter people from using the ramp/bench for sitting, or sleeping, as well as making it harder to skateboard cleanly with the changes throughout the ramp.
Some strategies of hostile design related to these examples are uncomfortable seating as well as including spikes, barriers, and slopes in designs to deter people from taking advantage of objects and using them for the wrong reasons. In both examples we see a mix of uncomfortable seating as well as the inclusion of spikes and slopes in design. The first example uses the uncomfortable material as well as the slope to create height differences within the bench pieces which make the bench uncomfortable to sleep on, and lessening the chance of people using it for the wrong reasons. The second example uses the spikes and slope aspect of hostile design to make the ramp/bench uncomfortable to sit, sleep, walk, or skateboard on. Both pieces work as hostile design as the goal of their design is to deter people from using them the wrong way by making them unusable in those ways. Both pieces have their functions and are meant to keep within those functions without being able to alter itself in any way to be used incorrectly.
This diagram shows the areas in which it would be uncomfortable for someone to use this bench as a sleeping area.
by rwyman | May 31, 2023
Location: 13th street (Outside Lillis)
Hostile architecture is a subtle way to prevent people to go to or sit in particular places. With hostile design, there is no need for a sign that reads “Please do not sit here,” as the architecture speaks for itself. Being a college campus, there are often a lot of people looking for somewhere to relax, eat, or hang out outside. All around the UO campus there are these cement planter boundaries that are commonly mistaken for benches but if you look closely they have hostile design elements that show they are not a place to sit. With this example specially it is located on 13th right outside Lillis, because this street is commonly blocked off to cars people think they can hangout in the street. The hostile design elements are necessary to keep students safe. This example has spikes every foot along the perimeter so if someone were to sit down they would be poked.
Planter outside of lillis that is along 13th with spikes to prevent people from sitting
Diagram showing how someone would be poked if they were to sit
by rwyman | May 31, 2023
Location: 13th and University (Outside Lawrence hall)
Hostile architecture is a subtle way to prevent people to go to or sit in particular places. With hostile design, there is no need for a sign that reads “Please do not sit here,” as the architecture speaks for itself. Being a college campus, there are often a lot of people looking for somewhere to relax, eat, or hang out outside. On campus, there are spaces designated for this, although occasionally people want to sit elsewhere. In one instance, there are these big cement planters outside of Lawrence that can easily be mistaken for cement benches. With having the EMU right next door they would become a hot spot for people to eat their lunch outside. Trash comes along with food, and since they are for plants and trees, people are not wanted there. The top’s pyramidal design makes it difficult to balance a plate of food (I’ve tried) and uncomfortable to sit, therefore deterring people away.
Plant boundary outside of Lawrence hall with pyramid shaped top
Diagram showing how awkward it would be to sit on pointy top
