Re: We shape our buildings ... thoughts on remodeling ...
Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 3:14 pm
First of all, let me say that I think I think that revamping Hamnida is a great idea. I'll offer a few ideas of my own on how it could be done at the end of this post, but first I would like to address some of the more "philosophical" (not the right word, but it'll do) aspects that have been discussed earlier in the thread.
Firstly, I think the reason that Kuula has more "community", in my opinion, has a lot more to do with factors other than how it's laid out: things such as being the oldest and largest, on the historic oldest continent (as much as I am fond of the southern continent, I am aware it has had a reputation for being geographically boring, neglected by LL, and full of ad-farms, though all of those things are less true than they used to be). Possibly the biggest factor is merely the self-fulfilling prophecy that "everyone's at Kuula".
Secondly, it has been my experience that while a space can encourage or inhibit community formation, ultimately they can't make communities happen. In fact, in my experience true community can't be made: it has to evolve (or not evolve) on its own.
Thirdly, Kuula works for many people: it doesn't work for everyone. I think this is very important to keep in mind as this process evolves. One of the dangers I see in this process is that the people who prefer Hamnida will be ignored, and instead of creating community, damage will be done to what already exists. Ultimately, I think that while suggestions and ideas from all quarters should be welcomed & discussed, ultimately for this whole process to have any chance of success, it must be led by the people who value Hamnida the most: there must be a sense of ownership by the people who are already there.
Okay enough of that...now onto my thinking about what I would consider doing. To me, even though I consider Hamnida "my NCI", I think it's currently quite functional, but capable of being improved. I definitely agree with previous suggestions that the textures need to be changed, but I have one or two more radical ideas.
I visited Hamnida yesterday to look around and sort out the reconstructon ideas I had. One thing that struck me was that I counted 6 different paths leading into & out of the main area, 4 of which were clustered in the northern section. The most impressive looking was actually the one leading out to the sandbox, which I think is NOT how it should be.
My idea is to move the main building as far west as possible, to create an open area on the eastern side facing the Linden land. If possible, terraform the land on the eastern side so that it's more level with the sim next door. Create as spectacular a main entrance as possible on the east side (say about where the newsstand is now). Make the land in front & around the entrance as pretty as possible, including some small amount of seating (say a bench or a picnic table) & put the landing point and possibly the home area if it can be moved, there. Have at most one small entrance in the north, and put things like the newsstand, ads, etc. there. have one or possibly 2 exits west out to the sandbox. Leave the class roughly where it is. Make the eastern walls low (say 1.5-2m high), high enough to define the spaces, but low enough for visual contact. In this design, the north would be a social area. Make the northern and western walls (as well as the walls near the classroom) taller, to accomodate ads, freebies, schedules, etc. Possibly have the fountain slightly back from, but in front of the entrance, to channel traffic towards the classroom & the hang-out area.
I think something along these lines will make Hamnida a warmer, more inviting space, while retaining functionality. Feel free to comment on my suggestions!!
Charles
Firstly, I think the reason that Kuula has more "community", in my opinion, has a lot more to do with factors other than how it's laid out: things such as being the oldest and largest, on the historic oldest continent (as much as I am fond of the southern continent, I am aware it has had a reputation for being geographically boring, neglected by LL, and full of ad-farms, though all of those things are less true than they used to be). Possibly the biggest factor is merely the self-fulfilling prophecy that "everyone's at Kuula".
Secondly, it has been my experience that while a space can encourage or inhibit community formation, ultimately they can't make communities happen. In fact, in my experience true community can't be made: it has to evolve (or not evolve) on its own.
Thirdly, Kuula works for many people: it doesn't work for everyone. I think this is very important to keep in mind as this process evolves. One of the dangers I see in this process is that the people who prefer Hamnida will be ignored, and instead of creating community, damage will be done to what already exists. Ultimately, I think that while suggestions and ideas from all quarters should be welcomed & discussed, ultimately for this whole process to have any chance of success, it must be led by the people who value Hamnida the most: there must be a sense of ownership by the people who are already there.
Okay enough of that...now onto my thinking about what I would consider doing. To me, even though I consider Hamnida "my NCI", I think it's currently quite functional, but capable of being improved. I definitely agree with previous suggestions that the textures need to be changed, but I have one or two more radical ideas.
I visited Hamnida yesterday to look around and sort out the reconstructon ideas I had. One thing that struck me was that I counted 6 different paths leading into & out of the main area, 4 of which were clustered in the northern section. The most impressive looking was actually the one leading out to the sandbox, which I think is NOT how it should be.
My idea is to move the main building as far west as possible, to create an open area on the eastern side facing the Linden land. If possible, terraform the land on the eastern side so that it's more level with the sim next door. Create as spectacular a main entrance as possible on the east side (say about where the newsstand is now). Make the land in front & around the entrance as pretty as possible, including some small amount of seating (say a bench or a picnic table) & put the landing point and possibly the home area if it can be moved, there. Have at most one small entrance in the north, and put things like the newsstand, ads, etc. there. have one or possibly 2 exits west out to the sandbox. Leave the class roughly where it is. Make the eastern walls low (say 1.5-2m high), high enough to define the spaces, but low enough for visual contact. In this design, the north would be a social area. Make the northern and western walls (as well as the walls near the classroom) taller, to accomodate ads, freebies, schedules, etc. Possibly have the fountain slightly back from, but in front of the entrance, to channel traffic towards the classroom & the hang-out area.
I think something along these lines will make Hamnida a warmer, more inviting space, while retaining functionality. Feel free to comment on my suggestions!!
Charles