Third Spaces
Third Spaces: How, Where, and Why
Post Curated by Jacob Gustafson
Third spaces can be defined simply as a place which is different from both home and work. The purpose of these different spaces cover a wide range of purposes and provide a wide range of different benefits. These spaces have long been an essential part of modern civilization that help to facilitate essential human connection all of which will be touched upon in the coming post. (Mackelden)
Third Spaces pertaining to architecture
Looking first specifically at third spaces pertaining to architectural practices and principles a few key attributes become apparent. To begin with these spaces aim at curating places that are apart from work, school, and home. A space in which creativity, a feeling of belonging, and arguably most importantly a space in which social interactions flourish. A place that builds upon principles already present that exemplify greater and different outcomes. These spaces are often designed with the principle of being a social setting, whether this is a bar, bowling alley, coffee shop, etc. they all share these common goals. Architects and their architecture in turn aims at curating a space which allows for an increase in cross communication between different cultures, backgrounds, ethnicities, and past lived experiences. A place which isn’t orientated towards a certain group of people. In turn, third spaces can allow for a great change in architecture and how we understand and interpret concepts, ideas, and how people view buildings as a whole. (Ashraf)
Social Justice Implications of Third Spaces
Third Spaces sound like a great idea that not only benefits the community as a whole, but also the individuals that occupy that community. So why don't we see them around every corner? Although the reasoning is multifaceted and multiple different people, organizations, and most importantly money play into the lack of these spaces, discrimination is also a leading factor of the overall lack of these spaces. While comparing how space is allocated in different communities, a few key aspects become quickly apparent, especially when comparing poorer communities to wealthy communities. In wealthy areas we see ample specialty restaurants, boutique coffee shops, as well as large parcels of green space. This is something that poorer communities lack greatly. We see these green spaces quickly disappearing and, in their place, large highrises being built. Small businesses are quickly being bought out, torn down, and built larger by huge corporations. (Wamsley)
Green Spaces as Third Spaces
Third spaces in the form of parks, nature reserves, etc. allow for something that none of the other third spaces previously mentioned allow for. That attribute is the mental health effects that can only be created by being immersed in nature. Being surrounded by trees allows for greater air quality, a decrease in sound pollution, as well as an increase in physical health. (Davvit). That's only half the story though. Apart from the benefits in mental health that third spaces provide, these spaces allow for an increase in cognitive function, physical health, decreased morbidity, decrease mortality, along with mental health as previously mentioned. (World Health Organization)
These are just some of the places that third spaces are apparent and their impact. This is in no way meant to be a comprehensive list of where these spaces can be found. Third spaces can be different for everyone and can show up just about anywhere. The importance as well as presence of these are just beginning to be noted and investigated further. I'll leave this post with one question. How are third spaces a part of your life?
Sources
Ashraf, A. (2023, July 1). Third spaces in architecture: Ray Oldenberg. RTF | Rethinking The Future. https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/architectural-community/a10480-third-spaces-in-architecture-ray-oldenberg/
Davvit, A. (2023, February 3). The importance of green spaces in an increasingly gray world - sustainable earth. Sustainable Earth - Where People and the Planet Thrive. https://sustainable-earth.org/green-spaces/
Mackelden, A. (2024, January 18). Do you have a third space in your life? here’s what experts want you to know about them. https://www.bestproducts.com/lifestyle/a46408768/what-are-third-spaces/
Wamsley, L. (2020, August 5). Parks in nonwhite areas are half the size of ones in majority-white areas, study says. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2020/08/05/899356445/parks-in-nonwhite-areas-are-half-the-size-of-ones-in-majority-white-areas-study-
World Health Organization. (1970, January 1). Urban Green Spaces and health. World Health Organization. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/345751#:~:text=Urban%20green%20spaces%2C%20such%20as%20parks%2C%20playgrounds%2C%20and,exposure%20to%20air%20pollutants%2C%20noise%20and%20excessive%20heat.