Patterns from a Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander talks about the interactions between people in different spaces and architecture. One of the chapters, Work Community, closely talks about communities or gathering spaces in the workplace. Alexander talks about how a workplace should have clusters of workplaces, where each cluster would have its own public space, and a public square for everyone to gather around in. In today’s cyber social world, Slack would be the closest website to offer this interface, where there would be one main social group chat where everyone is included and then smaller group chats for certain topics or groups.
Similarly, the Small Meeting Rooms chapter mimics the need for smaller and bigger meeting spaces. Alexander believed that placing 70% of small, 12 people or less, rooms in most public rooms would be the most convenient so, you would get more use out of them. This is true, from my experience. At my last college, there were small meeting rooms scattered all throughout the library, they would always be in use; especially during midterm and final’s season when students formed study groups. These groups were my saving grace when I needed to pass my math classes. They are not only great for small group meetings but also to study or do your homework by yourself since they shut you down from any distractions—both visually and audibly. The closest thing I have experienced digitally to this experience is Zoom’s break-out rooms, where the host (professor) can set you up into smaller groups for you to talk amongst your peers. They allow for a more intimate conversation without any of the social fears.
Alexander also believed that private, more intimate arrangements allow for people to feel less awkward, as he states in the chapter, Intimacy Gradient. Again, at my previous college, there were auditoriums where classes would take place. From my observations, there were fewer people participating than in smaller classrooms where people could get to know each other better so in turn, be more comfortable speaking up in class. I agree with this idea completely; as someone who is shy, I tended to ask my questions at the end of class; waiting in line behind other shy individuals. This behavior is seen again on Zoom, where people feel intimidated to speak up during a meeting and ask their questions at the end of class when most students have left or type them down in the chat. It is the least scary way of interacting in class; even if it is online—as I have conversed with other students before.
All in all, Christopher Alexander’s ideas of social interaction within spaces translate into online social interaction platforms. For example, the distribution of workspaces to help employees build a community at work translates to the ability to form a community on Slack using bigger and smaller community spaces. Having the majority of smaller meetings allows for the higher usage of these spaces, as professors have noticed when using Zoom’s break-out rooms to try to get students to talk amongst themselves. These cozier breaks out rooms allow for students to feel more comfortable to speak up, as observed in Zoom meetings and conversations between students.
