PUBLIC SPACE FOR THE PUBLIC: The shape of meeting architecture in cultural buildings

Abstract

Day after day, studies show that our cities are representations of the social relationships of daily life. Among many segregations, cultural buildings appear as a centre of activities and collective expression. Through theatre, exhibitions, educational workshops and libraries, the architecture approaches the human relationships and seeks to propose the meeting place. A typology that followed the constant changes in artistic expression has gained new shape, dynamics and dimensions. In line with this, during the 20th and 21st centuries, buildings have been designed with common spaces between cultural production and the public. In order to identify and verify the effectiveness of these solutions, the research proposes the analysis of cultural buildings; investigating the relationships between use, architecture and city. Projects will be selected and compared with the focus on spread and inclusion (e.g. museums, libraries, theatres and cultural centres that connect these activities), with public spaces intended for free use, presentations, games, courses, fairs, studies or relaxation. In each case the study will use graphic methodologies for the registering of data and analysis of their results. Through these comparisons, it will be possible to identify forms where the public space attends its function and starts to be used to the full. Delineation of these relations will favour design methodologies in order to propose efficient solutions for both the teaching and practice of architecture and urbanism.