As Monty Python famously once said, “And now for something completely different”. This series is my opportunity to explore my curiosity with the principles articulated in Christopher Alexander’s A Pattern Language and his latest work The Nature of Order: An Essay on the Art of Building and The Nature of the Universe. I intend to use the Disney theme parks as my lab to better understand those principles. So please indulge me as I think out loud. You bought the ticket; let’s go for the ride.
Strong Centers: Good design that offers areas of focus or weight.
A strong center is another one of the 15 fundamental properties that are at the heart of great places. Throughout this series I have mentioned centers. At first you may be a bit confused about center and strong centers as I was. Don’t be. The concept of centers is a system that uses the 15 fundamental properties that enhance places and objects and contribute to a higher degree of life. A strongcenter is one of the 15 properties or patterns that contribute to successfulcenters.
It is important to remember that a strong center is not about one grand center, like a solitary mountain on an empty plain. A strong center is how multiple centers combine to form something special. A strong center is something greater than the sum of the parts. Consider that a strong center is more like a mountain range. There may be a “first among equals” or as Christopher Alexander describes it “the resting place” but it has no strength without other centers.
Buildings and spaces that demonstrate a high degree of life tend to share one quality; there is a clear center. This center is the focus of energy and is usually surrounded by other spaces that reinforce a spatial hierarchy. In many cases there is the addition of a gradient of activities. Some are public and easy to get to, some less public, and others private. But all of the activities move from the main space.
Three excellent examples of how a strong center can create a memorable space that exceeds its function includes the main lobbies of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. The late Peter Dominick penned all three hotels. Is there anyone who has not entered one of the lobbies for the first time and just looked up without your mouth dropping open? Better still, how the experience does not get old as many times as you pass through and/or utilize the space. In fact, you kind of want to go down to the lobby?
Think about it this way. Most Embassy Suites and other hotels feature large central lobbies. Rarely does one capture the same magic that is felt in the three Disney hotels. The combination of a well designed strong center, the proper use of scale, and respect for the source architecture is what makes the difference.
The strong center is created by a sequence of other spaces that unfold and cumulate in the main space. Each lobby features many pathways but they all seem to touch at a single point. There are alcoves, libraries, and guest check-in, offices, and other spaces that create more energy and then feed back into the center. Even the upper floor balconies feature little seating spaces and opportunities to look into the main space.
The large central space is broken down into very comfortable bits. Each lobby features a grand fireplace that is brought down to human scale by very cozy seating areas. The structured seating areas on the main lobby floor provide safe havens and protect from the hustle and bustle going on around you. The check-in areas are well-designed distinct spaces that are separated from the main space by heavily themed columns. Bringing the space further to life are all of the activities needed for a hotel; the hotel bar, elevator lobby, shops, sitting areas with videos for the kids, guest services, and some kind of iconic element.
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