Spencer York

Spencer York

Copley Place/Prudential Center Malls

I think that the physical space and shape of the connecting malls makes the area seem much larger than it actually may be. This is because it is largely just one long hallway that connects through three buildings. Although the space is not necessarily wide, it is long and tall and therefore gives the perception of a much larger building. This also has to do with the connectivity of the buildings through the pedestrian bridges. The buildings seem to be one rather than separated because you do not have to walk in and out to get from one to the other. However, the entrances and exits to these bridges emulate those of exits to buildings in the sense that they are nearly entirely revolving doors, something very common these days at the entrances/exits of buildings. Another thing that I noticed is that the space is not very handicap accessible. There are lots of little stairs to get from one place to another, escalators, and other handicap challenging obstacles. Other than that, the space is quite open and inviting. The use of tile and limestone as well as bright colors initials a comfortable, pleasant feel of luxury as you make your way past endless designer stores. The long hallways that make up these malls are broken up into smaller sections by larger spaces often shaped as geometrical hexagons. These spaces serve as sitting areas, places for kiosks, food, and other things in order to make you feel like the space is in fact not one large, never ending hallway.

Newbury Street

There are several aspects of Newbury Street that reveal it as a commercial space, other than the simple fact that the street is lined with commercial retailers. The first I would say is the number of cars that are parked along the street at any given time and the number of people walking around that goes hand and hand with the cars. The large number of cars tells you that this is not a residential area because it is simply too busy to be one. Large numbers of people do not go and hang out in a living community, the hang out where there is fun to be had through a wide variety of things. Another way the area screams commercial is the width of the streets. The wide streets are there to serve the flow of large crowds, something not found in residential areas because there is no need for them. Another aspect is the vast number of small restaurants that line the street with their outdoor, hangout-vibe seating. These restaurants allow people to spend more time shopping without leaving the area to search for meals, increasing the flow of people per day. None of these are unique aspects to have, however. Copley Place/Prudential Center Malls had nearly all of the same characteristics, but the fact the Newbury is located outside sheds the feel of your average mall. Compared to the mall, the entrances/exits to Newbury are very open, as should be expected. There are no restrictions on who can enter or exit and enjoy what the street has to offer.