Comfort in Public Spaces

COMFORT IN P U B L I C S PA C E S An observational study on the manifestation of comfort within the public realm in Singapore.

Shix Wang I recently spent some time walking in Singapore, hoping to capture the ways in which ‘comfort’ manifests in the city. I set out to look for tangible signs of comfort, like resting on a bench or seeking relief from the hot sun under a shelter, but my observations turned out to be quite different to what I expected.

When I think of the word 'comfort', particularly its adjective 'comfortable', I instinctively connect it with a tangible, physical ease, like a deep bench that allows one to curl up in it and read a book.

However, 'comfort' equally comes in an intangible form—psychologically, in the way one's mind could be in a state of relaxation or ease. It soon became clear to me that it was the intangible state of comfort that I was witnessing on my walks.

I hope that my observations can help prompt some thoughts regarding what it means for someone to be comfortable.

SO M E W H ERE YO U CAN S I T

7.00 PM. Two groups watching the sun set.

7.04 PM. Friends resting by the river.

Any spot has the potential to provide some form of comfort. If it can provide an individual seat or even just create a circle of intimacy, a bubble of privacy can be created within a public space.

6.54 PM. While the hump of the ground makes them more noticeable to passers-by, it also puts them at a higher vantage point, isolating them from the rest of the park.

2.57 PM. Despite being perched on a railing beside noisy traffic, he derives comfort from the action of smoking—and the fact that he is able to smoke freely, without feeling intruded upon.

L E AN O N ME Solid and sturdy-looking objects, like parapets and tree trunks, beckon at people to lean on them for stability and support. Having some of one's body weight being taken off their two feet naturally allows for physical relaxation.

7.27 PM. After a long day, even if it is for a short period of time, walls and pillars return some lightness to one's tired body as they wait for a friend or a loved one.

6.34 PM. At viewpoints, not only can railings function as a safety barrier, they can also facilitate user relaxation while closing the gap between the users and the view.

5.55 PM. A lady leaning on a concrete planter while having a smoke. Again, both the activity and the space put her in a state of comfort.

R ELEAS E The act of pursuing something one is passionate about brings major comfort to one's soul. Certain public spaces provide space for dancing, skateboarding, art and music. For instance, planters can form makeshift seating for an artist wishing to paint some flowers. They may not have been designed with the intention to do so, but were, over time, adapted by the users to suit their needs.

5.54 PM. Initially, the Esplanade Underpass was designed to serve a pedestrian transit space.

However, due to its size and other features, it soon became a popular multifunctional "practice room" for dancers, skateboarders and various other performers. For example, there are 20 structural columns which informally allow different groups to mark their "territories".

7.02 PM. Skateboarders on a wide, open walkway.

H AW KER C ENT RES Food is something that brings joy and comfort to many Singaporeans. After Singapore gained independence in the 1960s, a new building type called the 'hawker centre' was founded, which served to move all hawker food stalls under one roof. They are located strategically in the centre of housing developments, providing accessible and low-cost cooked food to residents.

8.11 PM. Simple but certain joys of having a freshly-prepared meal in a familiar hustle-andbustle setting with a family member.

7.19 PM. Peace and quiet provide a different kind of comfort when the hawker stalls close.

T OGET HER Public spaces can accommodate families, fostering a sense of togetherness. Pockets of the city can be claimed as their own, creating a sense of safety and comfort outside the confines of the home.

6.39 PM. Families playing table tennis under a pavilion.

6.40 PM. A family of four playing on a field.

A PL A C E O F YO UR O WN Sometimes, pockets of private space are available in a public area. For instance, a one-person hammock—nobody else can use it at the same time as you. Such a space allows one to feel as if it is their own, finding comfort in the ownership and privacy that arises from it.

In 2016, the National Parks Board started the Allotment Gardening Scheme, leasing gardening plots in 20 public parks island-wide to aspiring gardeners. The plots are left unfenced so that park visitors can appreciate the gardens as well.

In this manner, the lines between public and private are most pleasantly blurred. The gardeners relish in the comfort of their personal playground, while passers-by enjoy a thriving view.

6.45 PM. Two ladies watering plants grown in a rented allotment.

A FA MILIAR PAT H Comfort often comes from familiarity. For runners, walkers, cyclists and the like, this familiarity comes from the repeated use of a path which accommodates their needs and activities.

6.55 PM. Under the Park Connector Network, paths like these link all the major parks in Singapore, providing a visually familiar track no matter how far from home one goes.

7.01 PM. The Central Business District (CBD) is a popular running location in Singapore— especially among office workers after hours—due to its scenic and centralised nature.

C O N CLU S IO N Comfort in the public sphere comes to most of us in the simplest, most 'everyday' of ways, but it is often subconscious—we do not actively realise it.

Not everyone has the privilege of enjoying both psychological and physical comfort at home.

However, architects and urban planners have the power to create spaces which are safe, inclusive and accessible in the public realm, providing "comfort zones" for everyone.