“Happiness is what we experience as we celebrate the achievements of the self — winning a prize. Joy is what we feel when we are encompassed by a presence that transcends the self.” -David Brooks
The best public spaces enable people to experience and express joy. Whether we see the joy of others, or are outwardly sharing our own, when we find joy in public it can grow a virtuous cycle of joy for all.
Creating public spaces for joy is not just a luxury or privilege, or even necessarily something to achieve after other basic needs are achieved. Joy can be a force for equality, crucial social connections, and healing. Many lower income communities have public spaces that support great amounts of joy, often at minimal costs, while many upscale communities rarely have pleasure in the public realm in spite of expensive design and ample resources.
Joy also can be a form of authentic cultural and political power, even protest. When marginalized or minority groups participate in joyous activities in public they often feel and project acceptance. Human joy is contagious, when shared in public spaces it brings us together, melts barriers, and lifts us all up.
Joy to you and me! Here are some of our favorite examples of places designed with joy in mind.
Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen has a special place in our hearts because of how magical and joyful it is year-round. It is what we call a "multi-layered place" because there are things to do in every spot for people of every age and interest. Sometimes, like with the café at the base of the roller coaster, activities are literally layered one on top of the other! It is a place brimming with fun and whimsy, like the illustrations of a storybook. It's no wonder this was the inspiration for Disney.
Places like Tivoli used to be called Pleasure Gardens because people felt so much pleasure being there. We need to bring the concept of Pleasure Gardens back, designing parks to be more than just patches of grass, but instead places where people truly love to spend time.
Fred Kent
Granville Island Water Park
The whole of Granville Island is a place designed for people to enjoy themselves in a variety of different ways. There are shops and colorful streets and entertainment options all around the island. The water park in particular stands out as a place that attracts laughter and joy as its visitors, big and small, splash around throughout the day. The colorful amenities and open plan of the water area creates a sense of freedom and encourages spirited play.
Paris Plages
We adore Paris Plages because of how they have transformed a once underperforming space into a thriving public place that everyone loves to spend time in. A pedestrian boulevard along the water, Paris Plage is lined with numerous things to see, do, and enjoy during the summer months.
There are cafés and restaurants with outdoor seating areas, board games, concerts and performances, splash pads, trampolines, foosball tables, and much more! So much thought has been put into how to maximize the joy felt in this space.
Fred Kent
Bryant Park
Bryant Park is the heart of NYC, both because of its central location and because of how it attracts people from every corner of Manhattan to gather and play. The park is filled with activities for people of every background and interest. There's an outdoor library, ping pong tables, bocce ball fields, a café and bar, carousel, concert area, and more. Whatever you're in the mood for on a sunny New York day, Bryant Park has it!
And even when the days aren't so sunny, there's still plenty to do in this great park. During the winter, Bryant Park transforms into a winter wonderland. With a huge ice skating rink, a cozy lodge, and the best holiday market in town, Bryant Park becomes the place to celebrate during the colder months in New York.
Fred Kent
Campus Martius
Campus Martius is one of the public places we've worked on that we're most proud of. Especially because of the revolutionary idea of adding a beach here – in the center of Detroit! This feature was so surprising and unique when it was proposed that it turned many heads, but it has become a huge hit with locals and visitors alike. There is so much fun to be had in the sand, the cafe next to it and the seating all around, that you forget you're deep in a bustling city full of cars and industry. That's the magic of a place designed for joy.
Just like Bryant Park, Campus Martius transforms in the winter with an ice skating rink, thousands of glittering lights, a majestic Christmas tree and numerous activities to engage with and enjoy. A great place is one that highlights the joy in every season and Campus Martius is a brilliant example of this.
Fred Kent
No matter who you are, where you come from, or how old you are, everyone wants to feel joyful. Wanting to have fun and be happy are fundamental human desires and we are all drawn to places that can fulfill them. We shouldn't restrict joy to playgrounds and places for kids. Any place designed with joy in mind becomes a better place, and it benefits us all to keep that in mind as we shape our world.
