The earliest open spaces in historic European old‑towns were plazas in front of churches. Major civic buildings clustered around these church squares, which acted as stages for public life.

I examine the historical lineage of church‑centred squares from three dimensions: forms and characteristics of power across different eras, the urban significance of colonnades, and the design strategy of the unity of opposites. Based on this research, I propose the conceptual design for an “Urban Living‑Room”. Diverse functional programmes are assigned to the enclosed spaces within the plaza, seeking to reinstate the square as the centre of social life.

June,2023