What Space?

In my paper, What Space?, I analyzed Frank Vanclay’s Place Matters and integrated  my analysis of his lens into my observation of the Hassayampa Academic Village dining hall. When I read Vanclay’s piece I thought that he has an interesting outlook on the way people make connections to the world around them, however, I thought that rather than the people connecting those feelings to the space, they are using the space to make comfortable connections to the people around them. I thought that the space, which does become a place when it means something to someone, is actually a portal to the crucial connections that people make with one another. I wrote about what an effective platform “Hassy” is for individuals to make connections to each other, thus, to ultimately establish a sense of community with everyone in Hassayampa.  From prior knowledge, I also incorporated the importance of feeling a sense of belonging, as it is crucial to human beings, and related it to the reason that places are so important for people and why the connections people make are more important than the actual space itself, even though the space is a major contributor.  I did a small amount of research on the human need to feel a sense of belonging also just to make sure that my claims are accurate. I described the place, the people, and their interactions/actions only based on facts and information that I know for sure.