People of the city: Observing but also being observed

Abstract

RESEARCH QUESTION How can a sense of public life be enhanced through architecture?

ABSTRACT Public urban space has always been the essential element to consider in creating opportunities for socialising and allowing people to gather in cities. An architecture creating a place of public life through a design of a building and a public outdoor space will become evident through the development of this project. The project argues that education for the younger generation is needed. A place that can combine the functions of education and socialising is lacking in the centre of Henderson, as education will act as a crucial part of town growth in various ways. An educational space with a strong sense of historical identity and a connection with the outdoor space close to one of the town centre’s two streams was chosen for the project site. The building provides many different cultural functions to attract people with various interests to the building and its external spaces. Jan Gehl’s theory of public spaces from his study of “Life between Buildings” was identified as the source of ideas that, in the process of social life in an urban environment, people attract people into a city’s meeting arenas. The project’s intent is based on the sense of public life through architecture in the Henderson town centre. A close analysis of the background of local history and businesses has been the cornerstone most useful for developing the proposed building's forms, internal organisation, and functions.

People are attracted to exhibitions and arts, and a place for these functions will be made visible within the building to ensure that these exhibition spaces advertise themselves to the people passing by.