Frankly, I'm a little bit surprised that an organization known for supporting emergency housing and other humanitarian solutions is sponsoring a competition for a newsstand.
But aside from that, it seems to have more to do with street life than the life of newsstands. At the same time, I can't help but think that Chicago's never had the street life of a place like New York; we don't have the street meat and other vendors livening up non-touristy streets like Michigan Ave and State St. But when I see the local networks all emulating the Big Apple with storefront studios, I wonder if there's a move towards more of a "life on the street".
I'm all for that, without necessarily copying NYC, and I think the newsstands could help. Maybe the competition should have been broader and asked people to generate ideas that save the street, not the stand.
John, From the compettion organisers website: "AFH Chicago started as an informal Meetup group, inspired by Architecture for Humanity, is a 501(c)3 organization. The status of our local group is in flux." Notice the word INSPIRED, I think that this is an independent group from AHU , I am not questioning their good will but to me they seem to be taking advantage of a name.
stapaulova - Thanks for commenting on the competition's goals and the institution's identity. I definitely can understand the hard work that goes with underaking a non-profit designation; a local organization I'm familiar with recently gained that status after at least three years of work...and that was with a lawyer!
To clarify my comments that you mention: the idea of New York/Chicago street life came from my head. I didn't propose that Chicago become like NYC, though it appears that many people in Chicago are emulating NYC, such as the CBS/NBC/ABC sidewalk storefronts either in place or in the works.
By comparing the two cities, I was trying to say that newsstands are important for Chicago, in terms of activating the sidewalk, since -- unlike NYC -- the city doesn't allow street vendors and the like. Outside of Streetwise vendors and properly badged street musicians, our sidewalks are mainly people moving to and fro or window-shopping. Benches and planters are designed to deter skateboarders and homeless people, so it's even hard to sit down. So newsstands offer potential social opportunities that we otherwise don't have.
Seems like we see this format a lot:
ReplyDeleteX is a cultural institution/cottage industry threatened by long-term changes in the structure of our economy.
Provide an architectural solution.
Does this make sense?
Frankly, I'm a little bit surprised that an organization known for supporting emergency housing and other humanitarian solutions is sponsoring a competition for a newsstand.
ReplyDeleteBut aside from that, it seems to have more to do with street life than the life of newsstands. At the same time, I can't help but think that Chicago's never had the street life of a place like New York; we don't have the street meat and other vendors livening up non-touristy streets like Michigan Ave and State St. But when I see the local networks all emulating the Big Apple with storefront studios, I wonder if there's a move towards more of a "life on the street".
I'm all for that, without necessarily copying NYC, and I think the newsstands could help. Maybe the competition should have been broader and asked people to generate ideas that save the street, not the stand.
John,
ReplyDeleteFrom the compettion organisers website: "AFH Chicago started as an informal Meetup group, inspired by Architecture for Humanity, is a 501(c)3 organization. The status of our local group is in flux."
Notice the word INSPIRED, I think that this is an independent group from AHU , I am not questioning their good will but to me they seem to be taking advantage of a name.
stapaulova - Thanks for commenting on the competition's goals and the institution's identity. I definitely can understand the hard work that goes with underaking a non-profit designation; a local organization I'm familiar with recently gained that status after at least three years of work...and that was with a lawyer!
ReplyDeleteTo clarify my comments that you mention: the idea of New York/Chicago street life came from my head. I didn't propose that Chicago become like NYC, though it appears that many people in Chicago are emulating NYC, such as the CBS/NBC/ABC sidewalk storefronts either in place or in the works.
By comparing the two cities, I was trying to say that newsstands are important for Chicago, in terms of activating the sidewalk, since -- unlike NYC -- the city doesn't allow street vendors and the like. Outside of Streetwise vendors and properly badged street musicians, our sidewalks are mainly people moving to and fro or window-shopping. Benches and planters are designed to deter skateboarders and homeless people, so it's even hard to sit down. So newsstands offer potential social opportunities that we otherwise don't have.