Blog 3

The Heart in Place-

If Somerville were the place, Davis Square would be it’s heart. 

his notion is by far not limited to the geography or physical make-up of Davis. Davis is the  place identity of may Somerville residents, it is the symbol that comes to mind for many that reside here (as parent, student, officer, lover, voyeur, business owner...). It’s important to note that there are a few other nodes within the district of Somerville that people identify with. In any case, Davis is the  principle one because it provides representation (in the form of social territory)  for the greatest cross section of social groups. 

The emotional aspects of Davis are mulit-valent. A sculptor's work provides insight into the heart of Davis. Abounding the square lie two sculptures that encapsulate the emotional aspects of Davis. One is of an old couple that harkens us to the memory of young love and faithfulness. So often, we see older couples holding hands and cannot but help feel a sense of nostalgia. Davis maintains a sense of this nostalgia. The other is of a lonely many bearing flowers reaching out (to us) as though he were attempting to share. It's sentimental at the very least and I feel as though Davis carries with it a feeling of sentimentality available to anyone willing to reach back. 

The square meets much of the criteria laid out by Lynch for what he defines as good public space. There are points, nodes, edges, and paths. Its clear physical  legibility allows people to easily relate, not only in the sense of establishing orientation, but also of identity. There are nodes and destinations that relate to divers groups giving Davis a lot of amenable flexibility. It has diverse levels of energy which is important for public spaces if it is going to attract different social groups. 

The principle social group in Davis is unquestionably the younger crowd ranging from the ages of 18-30.  Many of them spill over from Tufts University, the rest are young professionals such as myself who chose to live near a strong social hub in a relatively affordable area. Social classes are more difficult to pin point; one could speculate that the people in Davis are mostly middle-class but that isn't saying much since most of N. America is middle class. What makes Davis unique as compared to say Harvard or Central Square is density and attitude. Its not as alternative as Central nor as cosmopolitan as Harvard. There's a pastoral feeling about the place. I've heard many locals refer to Davis as the place that "Harvard used to be" and the place that will eventually become as busy and frenetic as Harvard. There's steady activity in Davis, but just enough to keep you intrigued without the sense of over crowding. People in Davis are self leveling because there are enough destinations to move into. Unfortunately, family run businesses are slowly giving into big-box chain operations which in turn force people into consumerist situations which alters the mood altogether. At present, you don't have to shop everywhere. You can come and do nothing without feeling out of context. 

Blog 1

The space I’ve chosen to spend time in is Davis Square. It’s an ideal place for site and people watching because it’s a successfully designed environment that attracts all walks of life. 

In a recent essay about Cockpit Design I briefly talked about the notion of choice in space. Spaces have many ways of provide choices for us such as the ability to sit in various locations, or the types of things we choose to sit (or stand) on such as benches, sills, stoops, or built up infrastructure (such as Subway vents and light shafts). Public spaces provide us ‘choice’ in the for of accessibility also. Some spaces invite or prohibit in the way that they feed into one another either physically or phenomenologically. 

Davis Square is a place that merits, or affords, these types of choices; in the form of accessibility and mutability. It has curb cuts at all major cross walks that are wide, well marked, and properly graded for anyone in a wheelchair or anyone limited to very short paces. Each of the intersections is also equipped with hearing devices that indicate when it is safe to pass so it not only provides excellent accessibility to the handicapped, but also the blind. There are many types of seating devices that universally popular. There are of course the typical metal benches that accommodate three comfortably, but also there are picnic type benches that allow for strangers to sit together or larger groups in seek of communal seating. Towards the rim of the plaza itself lies a long skylight to the subway that was deliberately built up to double as informal seating. This informality gives people a choice to express, perhaps, their own sense of informality which might explain why so many teenagers and homeless sit there (although not exclusively).  Towards the end of this burmed structure is a lowered portion (whose function is unclear to me). It’s perfectly scaled to children’s seating, and without surprise, is hugely popular with kids seeking to spring from it it, perch on it, sit on it, etc. 

The buildings themselves have a way of addressing our anthropometrics the way they jog in and out or they way in which they advertise themselves to us. Signage in Davis is very diverse, some rest low close to eye level while others hang high above the head making them clear to see at further distances. Some buildings have recesses along the facades that are just small enough for one person to stand in. They offer a type of prospect and refuge that allows one to nestle ‘inside’ of to get away from the wind, have a one way conversation on the phone, smoke a cigarette, or simply wait while someone else it expected to come. On the inverse scale, Davis offers larger spaces directly under the sky that promote social exhibition rituals in the form of music, dance, martial arts, etc. Because of the square triangulated physical nature, things convene in the center and radiate outwards, sound is no exception. If there is any music, it happens in the center. Its also where most of the talking happens. The cacophony of voices tends to quiet the further one moves from center. 

Blog Two

The physiological aspects of Davis touch on all senses. 

Beginning with sight. 

Visually there are varying degrees of light from the full impact of the sun to filtered rays near the center under the trees to more ambient levels of light that might come from either reflections of facades or from reflections of predominantly brick materials. It is a colorful environment, both physically and emotionally. When I close my eyes the color I see most is red. A quiet and tame red, different from say... Hooker Red.  It would seem that perhaps there are several bright red signs that would impress my memory in such a way but this isn’t the case. The color comes to mind because of the affluence of brick which Boston is so famous for. Still, there are several brightly covered signs that cover all ranges of color. Blues, greens, oranges, violets, beiges. The other primary color that comes to mind is green. Green from trees. Trees that dot the entire space, define boundaries, punctuate paths, highlight nodes, or places of repose. Most of the trees are small (relative to a forest or old growth) and their canopies lie just beyond the reach of people. They contribute to the perception of comfort, scale, presence, balance of nature, and of well being. The trees play an active role in describing the time, the season of year. 

Davis Square is a crossroads of places, paths and domains which are all easily perceived by the eye. For tourists, each path leading out of Davis is clearly marked by friendly signage. Davis is so friendly a place that it (or someone) has developed an personified icon of itself in the form of 5 converging lines underscored with a smile. It’s as charming and fitting as the place. Its three-way triangulation of paths provide choice of destination, all brightly lit,  which collectively engender the feeling of safety. This physical aspect, perceived by users, is likely what contributes to it’s tremendous popularity. People love this place. People talk about this place, give tours of it to their loved ones, they rest in the heart of it, they decorate it, and some adorn it with art (some trees have been wrapped with embroidery bearing messages of unity). 

The place is equally riddled with its fair share of problems. Police sometimes move in to remove “undesirables” or people amidst social conflicts. Its home to mothers walking their children, teenagers, a few crazies, buskers, flaneurs, college sweet heats, party goers, working class, and old people. Davis is somewhat diverse. Demographically it is predominately young and white. A large population of lesbians have contributed to the feeling and attitude of diversity, tolerance, and modernity.  Black people have begun to move in and white people feel ok about this (this notion was developed from user interviews). 

Davis feels well defined and diverse because of the people that populate it and the destinations they feel affinity for. Each pub, store, and restaurant are uniquely defined with their own sense of character. To some degree, they project the types of archetypes that make up Davis such as the funky Diesel Cafe, the down and dirty Sligo, the cosmopolitan Cibiline, the international Diva Cafe, the folky Buerren, the frugal Goodwill, and the not so poor Poor Little Rich Girl. 

The tactile aspects of the square are ubiquitous; chalky brick walls, cold steel benches and entrance doors. Its not a place the necessarily invites touch the way a plaza with a fountain might. 

Davis sounds like a salad mix, not at all cacophonous like Harvard or Times Square. It’s a mix of people patter, light car sounds, and the rustle of leaves from wind. Its quiet enough to have comfortable conversations even along the street edges. 

The overall effect of Davis is pleasant, pastoral, and welcoming. Its a place that invites you rest without the rush or the need to do or buy anything. You can set up and easel, play an instrument, or solicit political support without being out of place. Its charm reflects a place that is both respectful of individual needs and interests in exchange for respectful behavior and candor.