Harringay online

Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

A "third place for Harringay" has been a recurring theme on the site . The most basic definition of a third place is social surroundings separate from the two usual social environments of home and the workplace: a sort of informal comfortable meeting place.

The SpaceMakers network defines them thus: alternative third spaces as "facilities which are neither office nor cafe nor workshop, but have elements of all three and more". This includes co-working spaces, hack labs, arts spaces, social centres, community cafes and similar uses of space. (no I don't know what a 'hack lab' is either)

An idea has been floated that an obvious place to develop a third place is in our local library in Quernmore Road.

So the question is, if such a project should ever get off the ground, what would you want to see there? For me, one of the first thing that springs to mind is a place to get a coffee. What would your ideal 'third place' look like?

Tags for Forum Posts: libraries, third space

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Makes sense. I guess a third space (like a first space - our home) needs to fulfill various functions for a range of different people and needs. So segmentation would be the order of the day. As it happens SG Library has upstairs spaces which could be quiet areas.
Liz. ''Ah James, but it isn't necessarily a pub.'' It isn't 'necessarily' anywhere but i see where you're going with this now. Some pubs are nice and quiet or have quiet areas.
But pubs don't tend to open early enough for someone who wants to work, they often don't open at all during the day during the week. Libraries do open at a suitable hour for people.
A pub is a third space but it can't suit everyone. There are many people who do not want or like to sit in pubs or are not welcome in pubs. A pub can be a multi-function space but it's not ideal. (see the title of this post)
what's the point of a 'third' space if its similar to the first and second spaces, ie homes, libraries, pubs, drawing rooms from the 19th century ect..? If you want to study go to the library, if you want to watch tv, stay at home, if you want to drink go to the pub, if you want a coffee go to the cafe, if you want to moan about haringey go online.
I characterise a Third Space as a home you share with the wider community. Libraries, pubs and cafes fulfil some of the purpose of a third space. Design of cafes and bookshops has increasingly sought to build n this feel. Imagine mixing library, cafe and community space in one and you have what I think of when I use the term. But that's my construct. I think it would be very interesting to find out if people feel their needs are already served by the sort of local spaces you mentioned or if not, exactly what would people value.
'if you want to moan about Haringey go online'

I should have said, if you want to air your views and get them heard, go online

cos HoL is great! :)

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