Pattern 179
Alcoves
Context Common Areas at the Heart129 · Farmhouse Kitchen139 · Sequence of Sitting Spaces142 · Flexible Office Space146 · A Place to Wait150 · Small Meeting Rooms151
Problem
In large, shared rooms there is often no spot where one or two people can withdraw for a while without leaving the room entirely; anyone seeking quiet has to walk out.
Solution
Break the edges of large rooms into small, sheltered alcoves, so that one or two people can step apart into a place of their own while still remaining part of the larger room.
Usage Ceiling Height Variety190 · Half-Open Wall193 · Column Place226 · Window Place180 · Built-In Seats202 · Thickening the Outer Walls211 · The Shape of Indoor Space191