SOLARIUM COMPLEX
John Hawke SOLARIUM COMPLEX

Intention: to posit foreign structure in contested park area of idle immigrants, joggers, drug users and sellers, enabling normally private behaviour (sleeping, lounging) in public space; disturbing the spatial status quo and enabling new encounters and spatial negotiations.
John Hawke SOLARIUM COMPLEX

Action: creation of solarium structure (with bed, large lounge chair, storage spaces, ashtray) with two movable wall sections attached to enable reconfigurations of space, picnic table, and fixed walls to designate the area as a complex and provide privacy.

John Hawke SOLARIUM COMPLEX
profile of bench
John Hawke SOLARIUM COMPLEX
flyers posted inside structure

John Hawke SOLARIUM COMPLEX
picnic bench
John Hawke SOLARIUM COMPLEX
structure closed with hinged doors by initial user

Reaction: immediate usage for overnight sleeping, movement of the hinged walls to close the structure (space claimed by an individual), usage by drug users and dealers who are eventually displaced by a permanent encampment by homeless individuals, police investigation and complaint.

John Hawke SOLARIUM COMPLEX
users
John Hawke SOLARIUM COMPLEX
paraphenalia left by users