THINK DESIGN TIPS

By April Nieuwsma

Before his mysterious death in 1940, Walter Benjamin- a progressive German philosopher, began a massive volume on a single architectural phenomena: a magnum-opus of aesthetics called the Arcades Project. The book, which I have attempted to finish on several occasions, takes up the fascinating sociological, political, and philosophical themes suggested by the Parisian arcades, many of which were built in the later part of the 19th century. The arcades were created as “outdoor malls”- places of interest on rainy days when the Parisian flâneur (“stroller” or “pedestrian”) wanted to venture abroad and purvey local goods. The distinct style of an arcade is unmistakable once one knows what to look for, and forms a creative alternative to less interesting alleys or street fronts. 

On holiday from a year at Oxford, I visited my grandmother in Worthing, England where she had recently taken residency. Worthing is a quiet beachfront town near Brighton, on the southernmost shores of England.

One afternoon, I happened to pass by an arcade and, having recently studied their significance to modern thought in philosophy lectures, stopped to take notes and snap pictures. I was surprised to find this cosmopolitan architectural embellishment in such an unlikely place, and was impressed by its singular beauty and appeal. The arcade (pictured) was a fashionable and fascinating detour, and made my modest promenade all the more enjoyable. Far from being a piece of archaic indifference, the arcade was buzzing with activity, and all of the shops were replete with customers.

Walking into an arcade is like discovering a private universe. From the outside, one usually has the impression that the construction is simply another building entrance among many. In Worthing, the arcade was especially interesting to explore because it bent gradually, connecting two streets with an eccentric angle. I was struck simultaneously by the high ceilings, which gave the expression “hallowed halls” new meaning, and the way the building pulled me in almost subconsciously from the street. Once inside, one feels both relaxed and inspired- the enclosed ceiling makes for a cozy shopping experience, while the design and ornamentation of the arcade is especially remarkable to survey. Of course, Oxford boasts a variety of gothic structures, but there is something surprisingly personal about the arcade that is entirely exclusive to the structure itself, and I was astonished to find out that arcades had spread to such an unlikely location. I felt as though I had happened upon the remnants of Atlantis, with the exception of fifty or more denizens who were lazily walking the corridor purchasing ice cream sundaes and afternoon papers.

An arcade is an indoor walkway covered by a row of vaults supported by tall columns. The idea for an arcade came from gothic architecture, where the arcade is literally the lowest part of the wall of the nave (area leading up to the alter), which supports the triforium and clerestory of a cathedral. The more elaborate of Europe’s arcades are long and intricate, some of them stretching for several city blocks and resembling elongated train stations. Glass ceilings, which are typically comprised of a patterned set of panes inserted into a metal frame, create a classic, brightly-illuminated effect and drawing shoppers off the street to browse the compelling corridor. Arcades often contain a row of shop windows facing opposite to one another and presenting themselves to the whim of wandering tourists.

Since my trip to Worthing, I have learned that arcades have migrated to nearly every continent in the world. From the ornate Paddock Arcade in Watertown, New York, to The Strand in Sydney, Australia, arcades have proven to be one investment a city can count on for returns. They blend the intrigue and complexity of a church with the accessibility and utility of the every day, and are unrivaled in their ingenious rethinking of the common shopping experience. 

Author’s Bio:
April Nieuwsma studied English literature and Philosophy at Boston College in Brighton, Massachusetts and Oxford University in England . She currently lives and works in the Bay Area and enjoys experimenting with formal elements of poetry as well as fiction and playwriting. She can be reached at indoapril@hotmail.com .