Muñoz Aparici / Public Thresholds

Public Thresholds Experimenting with Public Value Creation through Spatial Interventions in Public Buildings

Author: Mar Muñoz Aparici, TU Delft

Supervisor: Roberto Cavallo, Dr. ir., TU Delft; Maurice Harteveld, Dr. ir, TU Delft

Research stage: initial doctoral stage

Category: Extended abstract

Abstract

In a context where literary resources are broadly accessible through digital means, libraries –both as an institution and as a built object– are shifting from knowledge consumption to knowledge creation spaces. Public libraries in developed economies are embracing the concept of making as alternative contemporary literacy. The need to adapt public buildings to shifting cultural values demonstrates liquid modernity’s cultural values in the built environment. Buildings, static long-lasting structures, have to adapt to continuously changing purposes, programs and users.

Makerspaces in libraries will be used to show how designing public buildings as publicity thresholds makes space for cultural values’ creation and transformation. In this study, theories on public buildings, liquidity, thresholds and values ground the framework informing design propositions tested with spatial interventions. Design Driven Methodologies are used as a discursive communication medium between theory and practice, concepts and approaches, as a generative and reflective tool.

Keywords: public buildings, makerspaces, threshold