Sainte-Genevieve Library (Paris)

As a student in Paris, I worked either from home or in the cafes. There were cafes where I went to socialize after class or to work in group, or cafes where I would go to work alone.
However, many of my friends spent days and nights in the Library. The famous library for students in the Latin Quarter (where the Sorbonne and many of the lyces with prep classes are) is the Sainte-Genevieve Library. It's open Monday to Saturday (10:00 am to 10:00 PM) except Sundays and holidays. I went on their website and they now have a system that allows you to see how many seats are left in their 3 reading rooms.

We often had conversations with my friends who spent their days at Ste-Genevieve as they did not understand why I'd rather work from home or in a cafe... It was not so much for the access to books, although they did borrow or look at books. It was more for the atmosphere: silence, but also other people's working around (maybe a form of social pressure? you have to work as others work around). I also remember groups forming and chatting in front of the library (taking breaks, drinking coffee, smoking, etc.). Sub-communities based on your school or university existed but it was also the place where they mixed. There was also the symbolic value of Ste-Genevieve an old library (it was founded in the 6th century and inherited the writings and collections of one of the largest and oldest abbeys in Paris; the current building was built in the 19th century and is described as a major cultural building). Founded in the sixth centuryin the heart of Paris, next to the best schools and a major university, La Sorbonne.

Flughafen Tempelhof (Berlin) by Annika

How to reinvent spaces? Imagine changing the "rules of the game"...

"This is a photo taken on the Flughafen Tempelhof, a park area that used to be an airport until 2008. Ever gone for a cruise on a real runway? Well, if you have the chance to visit Berlin, make sure you get a glimpse at this park - it is very different from what you have known so far, I can assure you. Living just down the street from the park, I come here very often: for running, walks, barbecues or biking. Annika"

Alexanderplatz (Berlin) by Annika

When I took this photo (Berlin, Alexanderplatz), I was waiting for my brother to arrive from Hamburg. It was a Saturday morning, way too early, plus his train was delayed and it was freezing cold. I had time to observe this central interjunction called Alexanderplatz for quite a while. People were rushing from one place to another, just about to wake up. I would say there is nothing really beautiful about Alexanderplatz, but you can really feel how recent history gets you - and this is what is so amazing about this square.

Annika

"My beautiful laundrette" (Berlin) by Annika

No, this is not a café, not a bar, not a nice restaurant. And still it is somehow cozy in there: It is a laundromat. How much time I have spent already in there? I wouldn't know, but I definitely don't want to miss all those interesting, weird, crazy and also nerdy encounters I have had in there.

Annika

My Tube Stop in Berlin by Annika

This is work, home and Berlin in one for me: It is my tube stop in Neukölln. What I really like about tube stops here in Berlin is that they are not as cut off as they are in London or Paris for instance. They are not quite as steep in the ground, the air circulates better and you can get onto the platforms without a ticket. The advantage: It is more accessible and open to everyone in society. The disadvantage: Tube stops in Berlin are way less pretty, they often smell quite nastily and sometimes you wonder how long certain people have lain on the bank already.
Annika

Top of the Tate Modern (London) by Annika Engels

I asked a couple of friends living in various places to share with us photos of places they like.
Annika Engels who currently lives in Berlin, but whom I met in London, sent me a few images. I love the idea to have this conversation expanding across continents. Thanks Annika!

This is a photo from the coffee shop at the Top of the Tate Modern in London and what Annika says:

This is probably one of my favourite spots in London: The view from the Tate Modern onto St. Paul's Cathedral on the other side of the Thames. It is always busy up here, people queue for a seat at the window and the atmosphere is rather anonomyous/touristy. But still: What could be nicer than have a glass of wine, a good chat or also a good reading?

Hey!
I just did 2 interviews at different lounges. The first 2 pictures are from a students'dorm lounge near poly.. It was empty... that was perfect for me, because I could do my interview peacefully. I would also had enjoy reading a book there. The last pic is at one of NYU building, called Silver. And the students call this place "red lounge". I did another interview there. It was also a great place to do it. No music or people talking so loud. As you can see people also read or use their laptops....

Bobst! by Sera

When I want to study in a library, Poly's library is the place I'm supposed to go... But after one semester, I hardly go there anymore! Instead, Bobst becomes my first option and new york public library is my favorite!

the reasons why I don't like poly's library are: it is too small;  can hardly find a table before exams; the temperature is too high(in winter)/ low ( in summer); sometimes it is too noisy!

For NYU-POLY, who has undergraduate, graduate, and phd students, only offering with a " two floors" library, sounds very crazy. Students need enough space to study, like the picture showed above, "nice, wide, quiet" space is necessary!

Team-work is one of the most popular part in every course, so if there are enough rooms for teams to discuss things, then our library won't be that noisy all the time^_^.

So, if there is one thing can be changed in the future, I hope a larger, nicer library comes first!

cheers~

Students Run Cafes

Reading so many inspirations about cafes and coffee shops, I thought of students run cafes. What if students were running their own cafes and I found a couple of examples that I thought I'll share with you.  What is particularly interesting is how they are described. Of course, there are coffee, sandwiches, pastries (all delicious, healthy and cheap I assume), but it's much more than that: a social space for socializing as well as working. They all aim to provide a community space. They also offer working opportunities and show an interesting entrepreneurial spirit.
They are all students run and were started often with the support of the office of students activities.

I haven't visited any of them. Please feel free to tell us if you had been to one of these students run cafes. Also if you have heard of any others, feel free to add a link in the comment. 

Lunt cafe
http://students.haverford.edu/luntcafe/lunt/Lunt_Home.html
"What we do: The Cafe is more than a coffee shop; we're also a valuable student space. Lunt hosts club meetings and artistic/musical events. In addition, we always provide a relaxing, free Wi-Fi capable environemnt where students can study or simply hang out late into the night, seven days a week.

Lunt is the perfect place to sit down with your work or take a break from it. Grab a hot cup of coffee, try one of our famous milkshakes, or just curl up with a good book. Alternatively, get involved with one the many student events & activities that we host."

Cobb Coffee shop
https://studentactivities.uchicago.edu/services/coffeeshops.shtml
"The Scene:
Located in the basement of the largest lecture hall on campus, Cobb is a super convenient way to kill an hour between classes or dash in and out for a quick cup of coffee. Plus, the cafe's well lighted open space, displays of student artwork, great music, and wireless Internet access make us a desirable alternative to other campus dining services.
(...)


Insider's Tips:
Vinyl records, cheap breakfast, sassy staff. We're pretty sure we've created the hippest atmosphere on campus. The culture here can be summed up by a little saying we like to call "Cheap and Hot"."

Green house:

http://www.myfountainonline.com/greenhouse

"I started toying with the idea of creating such a space a few years ago," said Dawson Jones, 23, a linguistics and philosophy major and part-owner of the Greenhouse. "We define success not only in serving great coffees at student-friendly prices, but in creating a community that can help college students find their own place on campus."
The coffee shop is in a large, old, green house. It is simply decorated with comfortable seats, a study room, a music room, Wifi and board games. There is a yard where students can play football, soccer and table tennis. A climbing wall is scheduled to open within a week or so. Every Thursday night, the Greenhouse offers free pancakes in a variety of flavors.
The Greenhouse also is available for private events. (...)

"We want to not only create a study and hangout environment, but also to allow for fellow students to have a lounge space where they can organize events that relate to what they are interested in, whether it's poetry slams, acoustic concerts, soccer tournaments, or crafty parties," Jones said"
Second Wind
http://normantranscript.com/local/x1967875923/-x00b7-Campus-Corner-coffee-shop-run-by-student-volunteers
"Dave Lewis, Presbyterian campus minister, called it campus corner’s living room as he stood inside Second Wind Coffeehouse, with its art-covered walls and many seating niches.
Lewis said students and community members come for coffee drinks, for Friday night concerts by local musicians and to browse artwork by other Norman residents. Sometimes, people come just to hang around and be with other people.
This lingering may not be viewed as acceptable by other eateries, but at Second Wind, they not only tolerate this behavior, but welcome it.
“There’s a lot of people that just come to hang out and don’t get anything. We love that- that’s fine,” Josh Hammell, University of Oklahoma senior and student volunteer, said.
This is just one of the ways Second Wind stands out from other coffee shops in the area. Another is that they are a registered non-profit ran completely by about 15 student volunteers, mainly made up of university students at First Presbyterian Church. Lewis said the students do everything from develop business plans to book bands to make drinks.
The building, Hammell explained, is owned by the church, which is basically next door to the coffee shop. The purpose of the ministry is not evangelical or religious, though, he said.
“We’re just trying to create a community space,” Hammell said.
One way they are doing that is by keeping a steady stream of local musicians in the shop. Depending on the atmosphere the band wants to create, Hammell said the space can hold anywhere from 20-100 people. With the space’s wooden floors and the coffee house’s sound system, Hammell said bands are treated with nice acoustics in the place. The shop also is alcohol and smoke-free, which means people who come for the bands are usually there for the music, Hammell said.
The type of sounds that can be found at Second Wind varies week to week.
“We’ve had everything from acoustic artists to nine-person bands with brass sections,” Hammell said.
Many concerts, Hammell said, are produced in the name of charity, benefiting everything from fair trade to Food and Shelter for Friends to support for victims of the Haiti earthquake.
“Depending on the show, we’ll raise hundreds of dollars for the organization we’re trying to support,” Hammell said. (...)"

Inspiration from high line

I wasn't aware of the High-Line project until the day that it was opened to the public. After movies at Clearview Chelsea me and my friend walked to the west side and discovered the High-Line.
After walking all of it I couldn't decide what the best feature was but I loved these seats they are so relaxing. Rather than the regular benches these benches can be used in the Commons and change the atmosphere to a very relaxed one where students can unwind and be creative!

Analogy: Why does Glasgow keep producing so many Turner prize winners and nominees?

I'd like to share an analogy as an inspiration.
The other day, my friend Aileen Wilson, faculty at Pratt was telling me how over the last few years, there's been a great numbers of Turner prize winner (Turner prize is a major art prize in Britain) coming from the Glasgow Art School. In an interesting article in the Guardian, a few things are highlighted that I'd like to share as food for thoughts if we think of how NYU-Poly could not only be a vibrant place in terms of experience but also in terms of creativity, invention and innovation (by the way I think that the latter cannot come from people who are not motivated, enthusiastic, etc. and this is by definition associated to a vibrant place).

Back to the Guardian article, here are the main points:

• Space and the attitude it affords: 

The course was not traditional painting or sculpture. It was, say its graduates, about ideas. The context for making work was as important as the work itself. The department was not based in the Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed main building, but in a former girls' school that was used as a site for making work. "It was an amazing place," says Harding. "There were basements with 50 children's sinks in them, history books lying around in piles. There were attics, strange, devious, different rooms. An Escher-like staircase. One half of the school was locked off and forbidden. Of course, the students broke in."... all of this created "a piratical attitude" said Harding.

That resonates with the discussions we had about the Building 20 at MIT (http://nyupoly.blogspot.com/2012/02/building-20-at-mit-magic-incubator.html)

• "the web of relationships established between those students from the late 1980s – a way of interacting that seems to have set the tone for the Glasgow art world since."  This web of relationship was supported by the proximity of the students: "They mostly lived near each other, up on the windy heights of Garnethill near the art school."

• There was nothing magical about his and his friends' success says Coley, one of the Turner Prize winner. "It was really, really hard work." 

 On the space and how permissive it can seem, and how it can encourage relationship, see also these other inspirations:
as well as about hack spaces:


http://nyupoly.blogspot.com/2012/02/chris-bradleys-coffeeline.html
http://nyupoly.blogspot.com/2012/02/hack-nyu-poly-hackerspace-for-poly.html

In this kind of environment, hard work becomes exciting and in a way "mandatory"...

A Cozy New Student Center at Coventry University

Student’s centers are those comfortable hang-out spots at universities that combine studying with social life during your years of college.

Coventry’s new student center ‘the hub’ (sited at the center of the university campus) designed byHawkins\Brown Architects is one of the best.

For many students at university, this is their first experience of living away from home. Coventry University in the UK tries to make that a little less of a sudden adjustment to the cruel world with a new student center that exudes cosiness, intimacy and security.

Covering an area of 91,000 square feet and able to comfortably accommodate 1,000 students at the same time, the new student center really gives the feeling of a home away from home in what could be a large and impersonal setting for the 10,000 students enrolled at the university.

The colorful spot provides for students’ key needs for wellness and wellbeing by providing a place to visit during the day for social and informal learning needs while creating a safe environment during the evening for entertainment.

The colors chosen have an effect. The combination – yellow, black and grey – has a hip hi-tech quality that lends an organized air to a clean and modern public space, while also being warm and inviting.

The principle cladding material—a unitized flush glazed curtain walling system—wraps around the building like a taut skin or hard shell.
On the roof, a roof terrace has been created that provides the healing peace of green space in the heart of in the city’s historic quarter famed for the post-war Coventry Cathedral, with views across extensive areas of the sedum roof.

Open Cafeteria

An open kitchen with creative dinning hall will be great for NYU Poly cafeteria. Of course, the quality of food should improve as well.

best,
Pak Ho

Dekalb Market: only 5 minutes from campus!

Not many know about Dekalb market although it's a great place to go for coffee, food or just hang out and it's really close to the campus:http://dekalbmarket.com/map/

It's closed right now for the winter but they will be back early Spring. Be sure to check them out!

Moreover, Billy Keefe mentioned it in one of his comments the Dekalb farm project. It looks really interesting: imagine we had some NYU-Poly plots?

Thanks Billy for reminding me of this great space and sharing the farm project!

A traditional house in Tokyo: a flexible and shared space

I loved this inspiration on OpenIDEO for the vibrant city challenge of a traditional house in Tokyo that became a multi-purpose space shared by several coffee shops and shops owners.

http://www.openideo.com/open/vibrant-cities/inspiration/multi-purpose-space-with-small-surprise-a-historic-house-offers-a-fresh-experience/

I can imagine a multi-purpose space that could be shared between different students' groups, faculty for small workshops, small events, etc. 

Hack NYU-Poly: A hackerspace for poly students.

This inspiration is drawn from the hackerspace Alpha One Labs hackerspace located in 231 Norman Ave #312 Brooklyn NY, 11222. At this space the members come from multiple disciplines range from : Electronics, Chemical, Bio, and cooking.  Yes there is cooking hacking. At these spaces people come for conversation and to work together on all sorts of projects. At Hack NYU-Poly, students from all disciplines we have in house can come together and work on projects and learn from each other. Also being a non-profit tools and supplies can be donated by sponsors. Here are some of Alpha One's sponsores: http://www.alphaonelabs.com/sponsors/

Alan

Rooftop Garden at Rutgers

Here is an idea that I think it would fit for NYU Poly's environment and give students and staffs more flexible place to relax. My friend once spoke with me about an open rooftop in her school (Rutgers university) that help her to relax in between classes. An open rooftop garden is not expensive and does not require to purchase more land to enjoy this space, it is definitely a great idea for city life.  

best,

Pak Ho 

Color them Freedom

Almost every hallway at Pratt is either an exhibition space, or a bulletin board. Walking from one studio to another studio is so inspiring and refreshing because people have the freedom to express themselves even of it involves just pinning a small box to the walls!

While almost all the fliers that student groups post at NYU Poly have to follow certain guidelines and can only be posted at specific locations throughout the campus.

Building 20 at MIT: The Magic Incubator

In John Lehrer's article in The New Yorker criticizing brainstorming, he also told a fascinating story about building 20 at MIT.

Building 20 was constructed during the Second World War, and initially served as the home of the Radiation Laboratory. It will be torn down in 1998 to make way for a new complex of buildings to house MIT activities in computer, information, and intelligence systems, to be named after Ray and Maria Stata.
In its 55 years, Building 20 has housed many MIT activities. It was never intended to last this long. "The building was constructed in...1943 as a war building and is of a temporary nature," reads an architect's memo, "...the life of said building to be for the duration of the war and six months thereafter."
Its "temporary nature" permitted its occupants to abuse it in ways that would not be tolerated in a permanent building. If you wanted to run a wire from one lab to another, you didn't ask anybody's permission -- you just got out a screwdriver and poked a hole through the wall. Of course this was in the days before the dangers of asbestos were recognized.
This building cast a spell over those who worked in it. Many former occupants have noted the magical power of the building to bring out the best from those in it, and the very real feeling that this was a special, even a unique, place. At the same time it served as a breeding ground, or incubator, of many research areas, of the minds of its students, and of new organizations. Many MIT laboratories and centers had their origins in Building 20, or else were formed by people who had spent years there.


http://www.eecs.mit.edu/building/20/anecdotes/index.html

Furniture

The new furniture in the cafeteria looks good from far away but it's not very productive it's really hard to move the tables and couches around sometimes.
I thought the furniture at the cafe in Pratt was very functional.

There was also a piano in the corner which is a plus I think!

Food for thought!

So how about rather than serving the rather nasty food (except for the salad bar) Poly invests in bringing fresh yogurt and smoothie bar to the Cafeteria?

My Yoga Mat

Being on my yoga mat, practicing is a place where I feel "at home", comfortable (even when struggling with some asanas). I have this same feeling while running or swimming: a sense of independence, of autonomy and focus which allows me to think and reflect.

Back to yoga: I sometime practice on my own, but I also go and practice in the yoga studio nearby my home. I like the studio atmosphere, the teachers and while I don't have any friends per se (while others do know each other outside of the yoga class), I like the feeling of familiar friends.

What I'm pointing at here is the mix between privacy and proximity, the importance to be on its own, or in small groups, as well as the possibility to meet with others.

Flexible spaces and Environments collaboratives

The d-school has come up with an inspiring space for teaching, learning and collaborating.
It is a highly flexible space where you are invited to move walls and furniture all the time, to meet with others on nice sofas but also not too comfortable chairs to invite you to stand up and go and use the boards... also storage towers where you can display your work and get feedback

Creative space at Stanford d.school

Dec 30, 2011

Naomi den Besten

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Locations

Space for Design Thinking
One of my favorite approaches to innovation is design thinking, a process that helps you design new solutions based on needs research, idea generation and rapid prototyping. At the d.school at Stanford University they have a space specifically designed for it called the ‘Environments Collaborative’.

It is a highly flexible space that invites you to move walls & furniture around all the time. Not-too-comfortable chairs encourage you to stand up, lots of post-its, markers & white board paint help you capture every idea and the storage towers help you to display your progress to others.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSjezj7_6mc

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/146/the-idea-lab.html

http://www.fastcompany.com/1634914/storage-towers-show-innovation-in-all-its-messy-glory-at-stanford-dschool

The Brooklyn Promenade and Floyd

JC Bonilla's inspired us with the Brooklyn Promenade, a short walk from Poly. The long river-side path gives a chance to experience solitude with a picturesque view of downtown Manhattan. With wooden benches and overhanging trees, it's also the best place to set up an easel or a tripod. Truly a thinkspace.
The Floyd bar, a few blocks from the promenade, is a place to unwind and shelter from the cold breeze. The bartenders are very friendly and the decor is unmistakably homely. The best part is the boules piste which anyone can use (except during the championship nights). Or you could just settle on an armchair and have a fun time watching the regulars banter.