Jordan Canedy
Title
Jordan Canedy
Description
As spaces designed to promote commercial activities, the Prudential Center/Copley Place and Newbury Street serve an identical, core purpose to this area of downtown Boston. However, upon examination and observation of the two spaces, it became clear that the vastly different design of the spaces allows these spaces to develop a character and pattern of interaction distinct from each other. In particular, two aspects of these commercial spaces stood out to me: 1) The use of structural geometries, colors, and symbol to both frame and establish identity for a space, 2) the effect impediments, whether natural or artificial, have on pedestrian flow and promoting specific behaviors in the space.
When I entered the Prudential Center/Copley Place, I immediate noticed the sharp geometries that framed the space. From the shape of the space’s corridors to the “arches” that frame them, the polygonal shapes predominated this environment. These polygonal “arches” are demonstrated the sketch, and serve to frame and encapsulate the space within this artriumlike hallway. Although Newbury Street did not contain the same pronounced geometries, it did distinguish itself from the surrounding neighborhood with color, distinctly the reddish brick that was on nearly every building.
The aspect of the spaces that I most vividly recall was the ease (or lack thereof) at which I was able to move throughout the space. While both spaces were occupied by a nontrivial amount of other individuals, the design of Newbury Street lent itself to a more natural, unobstructed pedestrian flow, than in the Prudential Center. The linear nature of Newbury Street allowed pedestrians to walk in a manner in which they were only obstructed by cars and each other.Whereas, in the Prudential Center, it was as if there was always something “artificially placed” in the way of movement such as a kiosk or the sinuous, seemingly endless corridors. One of these “obstructions” which I found fascinating and try to convey in my sketch was the use of artificially placed nature, such as trees, flowers, etc. When comparing the two spaces, it was interesting how the placement of trees can be used to complement pedestrian flow along the shops (Newbury Street), or can be used as an obstacle to redirect flow to shops and places of commerce.
When I entered the Prudential Center/Copley Place, I immediate noticed the sharp geometries that framed the space. From the shape of the space’s corridors to the “arches” that frame them, the polygonal shapes predominated this environment. These polygonal “arches” are demonstrated the sketch, and serve to frame and encapsulate the space within this artriumlike hallway. Although Newbury Street did not contain the same pronounced geometries, it did distinguish itself from the surrounding neighborhood with color, distinctly the reddish brick that was on nearly every building.
The aspect of the spaces that I most vividly recall was the ease (or lack thereof) at which I was able to move throughout the space. While both spaces were occupied by a nontrivial amount of other individuals, the design of Newbury Street lent itself to a more natural, unobstructed pedestrian flow, than in the Prudential Center. The linear nature of Newbury Street allowed pedestrians to walk in a manner in which they were only obstructed by cars and each other.Whereas, in the Prudential Center, it was as if there was always something “artificially placed” in the way of movement such as a kiosk or the sinuous, seemingly endless corridors. One of these “obstructions” which I found fascinating and try to convey in my sketch was the use of artificially placed nature, such as trees, flowers, etc. When comparing the two spaces, it was interesting how the placement of trees can be used to complement pedestrian flow along the shops (Newbury Street), or can be used as an obstacle to redirect flow to shops and places of commerce.
Files
Collection
Citation
“Jordan Canedy,” US-WORLD 29, accessed April 17, 2026, https://usworld29.omeka.fas.harvard.edu/items/show/98.