For my physical analysis assignment on the Newbury block, I decided to begin my research assignment by investigating the users, so I could understand the structures and open spaces being used. The first set of questions that started popping into my mind were, Who are the users? Where are they coming from? What is it that bring them to the Newbury block? How much time do they spend here? Does the users enjoy coming here? Is there a favor place or space they connect the most? What is it about that place that makes them feel that way? Is there a place or space that users dislike the most? What kind of activities does happen on the streets? To find the answer for some of these questions I began to search for answers by doing a walk around the block and documenting the circulation pattenrs and observing the kind of activities poeple do.
After some time looking around, photographing, talking to people and documenting the type of building uses around the block, I began to create a list of the different kind of users that most likely I could find it there and here is the list: "The list goes down from the most to least users but are not limitted to these examples only"
- STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS
- RETAIL AND FOODSHOP WORKERS
- SHOPPERS AND LOCAL VISITORS
- TURISTIS
- STREET ARTISTIS
- COMMERCIAL DELIVERY TRUCKS
- UTILITY/MAINTENANCE WORKERS
- FUND RAISING PERSONNELS
- GOVERMENT EMPLOYEES
- HOMELESS PEOPLE
My first impression as I begin to walk the Newbury block - leaving from the BAC entrance doorway - was to notice the considerably amount of hardscape space in front of the building. I begin looking at the movement and direction in which people circulated the most and realized that, the open space in front of the BAC building was a space that not only was used by the students during class breaks but it was also used by the public. I have noticed during my observation that a lot of the people just walking-by made frequent stops in front of the building. They usually stopped to take short breaks from walking, to take a picture or to just look around or meet someone. The visitors walking-by sometimes were draw-in to the edge of the building, closer to the glass wall to look at the galery. The puplic was always curious about what it was on te other side of the galss wall. Some times the viewer engaged the students with a question or a statement about the school. Quite interesting! Some times people would just stand there next to each other and not exchange a word!
To procced with this analysis, I programed my path going from northwest on Newbury street towards Mass Avenue and turning left at the corner and continued going around till I reached the point were I started. As I moved along the sidewalk I wated to document all possible objects, structures, furnitures and vegetation that I could find that takes sidewalk space. One can notice as walking at Newbury that this area has a high number of bike commuter. Because it is an area where most users are students, many live nearby communities and it makes easier to bike around Boston.
PROS ABOUT THE SITE:
- Symmetry of sidewalks makes it easy to circulate
- Public transportation on site
- beatiful view of Boston Commons
- Many restaurants affordable for students
- Youth activity takes priority
CONS ABOUT THE SITE:
- It does not accomodate parking for students and educators
- Campus lacks gree space
- No seats available in sidewalks
- Very windy and cold during winter
- traffic jams can be loud and unsafe
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