4.

3: Active building
fronts
The public edge of'the building should house activities which benefit
from interaction with the public realm, and cancontribute to the life of
the public space itself..

A coffee bar along the street front enlivens a blank auditorium wall:
Gordon St, London, England.

. .. . .. ^... .
I I1

--__ , .

The first step is to locate as many entrances as possible in such
positions that comings and goings are directly visible from public space
(1).
The next step is to analyse the schedule of accommodation to see
whether it contains any uses which could benefit from spilling out into
public space (2). If such uses exist, then locate them on the ground floor
at the front. If they require more space than is available in this location,
still put the surplus at the front, but on the first floor (and if this is still
too small, overflow to the second floor (3) and so on).
Even if there are no uses which would benefit from links with public
space, most buildings contain activities which can contribute to the
animation of the public space itself ( 4 3 ) . Make sure that these uses,
rather than stores or lavatories, occupy the ground floor front
position. Design Sheet 4.7 discusses how these activities can, if
necessary, be protected from overlooking whilst still animating the
public edge.

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