New office

[ams16]

Astro got a new building (this has been in progress for years) and I got an office in it, right next the new library. The new library is beautiful and tiny - about one fifth the size of the old astro library. We're getting rid of all the journals, and about 2/3rds of the books. The journals have gone to other libraries, personal homes, and the

Comments

[yagagriswold]

I can't tell what you think about all this. Happy? Worried? Ambivalent?

[ams16]

Generally positive. I'm not currently depressed, so that helps.

I was just trying to connect, I guess. Still lonely.

[yagagriswold]

Well, yay for not (currently) depressed. And, generally positive is good, too.

"actually works"

[robot_culinaire]

I was wondering what context you had in mind when you said "I'm not sure it actually works." Works architecturally or works as a place for human habitation?

Have you seen Stewart Brand's _How Buildings Learn_ ?

--Chris (no more anonymous comments from me)
(not currently in my south-facing office)

Re: "actually works"

[ams16]

Both architecturally and as a place for human habitation, I'm not sure it works.

Welcome to the locked comments, Chris.

Re: "actually works"

[robot_culinaire]

Architecturally, I have no aesthetic sense whatsoever.

But I find the problem of what buildings are suitable for human habitation to be very intriguing. More than suitable, something like conducive to social interaction and a feeling of well being. What exactly makes people feel they are in a comfortable space and want to stand around and talk? It is harder to understand why some outdoor spaces work and some don't. I am unburdened by any knowledge in a relevant field of study, but based on what I see around me, such training doesn't do designers a lot of good anyway.

Re: "actually works"

[robot_culinaire]

See, I already messed up by posting without being logged in.

[fairdice]

Daylight is a good thing. Yay for that, even if it gets warm. And hooray for private offices. (We have the same waterless urinals, by the way -- every few months they suddenly stop working...)

[ams16]

Their ad copy says they should never stop working, but need occasional maintenance. Maybe your janitor doesn't know how to do that?

[idiva]

If it helps, my south facing office is also hot as hell. Since I'm always cold, most of the year this is a good thing. It's unbearable in the summer. I survive with a fan and skimpy sundresses. Can't quite see you in that attire though :-)

The light is a very good thing for depression.

I think you'll like it with good shades (is there such a thing as heat reflective shades?) and a vornado fan

[ams16]

It depends on the glass of the window. (Or, if the shade is outside, it's pretty heat reflective.) I think they make unidirectional heat flow glass, but I'm not sure how it works. I think I'll look into that when I have time.