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.
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