Welcome, reader! Before we dive into the courtyard's story, let me introduce myself. I am Arbor, a voice rooted—quite literally—in the heart of this project. My name means “tree” in Latin, and the author chose me to narrate this journey because I represent the rhythms of nature and our connection to space.
I’m not just a storyteller; I am part of the courtyard. I see everything—people cutting through on their daily commutes, children laughing and playing, pigeons nesting in quiet corners, and even the light filtering gently through my branches. I stand between the human and nonhuman worlds, observing how they intertwine and influence each other. From here, I’ll guide you through the rhythms, designs, and ideas that shape this project.
A Space Alive with Rhythm
This courtyard is no ordinary patch of grass. It’s alive with rhythms that shift throughout the day, weaving together natural and human worlds. The trees, my siblings, are always in motion—swaying with the wind, filtering light through their branches, and growing apart to allow both humans and wildlife to coexist. Beneath us, squirrels dart, pigeons coo, and tiny insects carve paths through the soil. Even the sunlight joins the dance, dappling the ground in the morning and stretching long shadows by evening.
Human rhythms add their own energy. Commuters cut across the grass, carving out desire paths that speak of practicality and habit. Children bring bursts of laughter as they play, climbing tree roots and chasing pigeons. By midday, parents pause on benches while teenagers gather in quiet corners, their chatter softening as the day winds down. These overlapping rhythms create a dynamic, ever-changing space.
Observing and Understanding
Using rhythmanalysis, the author mapped these flows, uncovering patterns that aren’t immediately visible. Desire paths, for example, reveal how people instinctively navigate the space, creating trails where grass has faded. The trees’ branches tell another story, showing how nature shapes the environment over time. Each observation became a tool for thinking, a way to understand how this space works—and how it might be improved.
A Space of Care and Politics
But there’s more to this courtyard than rhythms. It’s also a political space—a place where different needs, uses, and values intersect. Who uses the courtyard? What do they need? How can design balance play, rest, and reflection for all users, human and nonhuman alike? These are the questions that drive the author’s work.
By listening to the site, we discovered a deeper truth: this space isn’t just a backdrop. It’s a living, breathing participant in its own story. The intervention aims to honour that, amplifying its rhythms and creating new opportunities for connection and care. Stay tuned for the next part of the story—a closer look at the design itself.
Desired path shown on a sketch plan. Rhythmanalysis of nature and human paths by AI
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