The main extrinsic aim of a well- designed public space is to connect people and flow the pedestrian traffic into and out of areas of access, egress and hubs. Hubs are areas where people can congregate or simply meet up to connect, eat and drink. The intrinsic aim is far more subtle, organic and connecting of people, their emotions, their daily activities and their lives. If you think of a public space near you or have visited; where you feel excited, comfortable and energized you have inevitably struck upon a well-designed space.

Take the historic Piazza Del Campo Square in Siena for example. As this is not technically a square (more of a trapezoid) it woks beautifully.

Piazza del Campo Siena

Siena has tiny alleyways and organic outlines of pathways all leading to this square. The feeling when traversing through the alleyways is one of travelling along a vein within the body and then popping out to the heart space. It’s the central core to the town and has the human element of celebrations through its usage as a marketplace (original design was for a marketplace over 700 years ago) and a famous twice-yearly horse race around the perimeter. The original cobblestones radiate outwards and define the outlines as they lead up to the cafes and shops along its permitter. This guides people to traverse across or simply directs them to walk around the edge and partake in the cafes and shops. The central focus is one of a beautiful fountain. It’s like a breath of fresh air when you experience this square and embraces the very nature of organic design principles and people flow.

The feminine principles of nurturing and receiving echo so beautifully through the space and its usage. Many many years of romance and breathing in the heart of a town have played out over the years. The masculine principles of action and posturing are balanced as celebrations are defined by the activities that have been around for over 700 years.

Moving along to a modern interpretation of a public space is the exciting yet controversial Place Beaubourg in Paris. Conceived in 1969 and totally radical for its time – it is now one of the most visited and successful modern public spaces of its times. Designed by Renzo Piano, Richard Rogers and Gianfranco Franchini it embraces the synergy and excitement of an open space that people flock to and find themselves entertained and energized. It is a rectangular shaped square that has the old meeting the new with such a strong juxtaposition that it actually works. People love being there. The Centre Pompidou lines one side with its radical expression of externalizing its services rather than hiding them within its fabric. The new Brancusi building flags the square to the right. And the other side opposite the Centre Pompidou is the traditional old Parisian style of city apartment living that we all know and love. Old and new meets well. The Square has the first outdoors modern water fountain that has an exciting combination of colourful sculpture with moving and twisting waterworks.

Place Beaubourg

The feminine principles of creativity and the “letting go” of your inhibitions are played out so gorgeously as artworks, water features and sculptures reflect an excitement and a great place to meet and connect. The masculine principles of action, focus, square and symmetrical articulation are played out as a juxtaposition of the old and new working so well together.

It is a conundrum however as the great buildings and ancient sites around the world are either masculine or feminine – but rarely do a few handfuls in the built environment achieve the sacred balance between the two. We will explore which ones have successfully embraced that over the next few months during the research I will be undertaking.

When I first commenced architecture studies at Sydney University back in 1981 it was fun, embracing and exciting to be part of a small group of emerging women who simply loved the built environment. To go traveling abroad in the 80's around Europe and actually see all these buildings that we were studying was awe-inspiring and stirred a passion within me that has lasted for years.

The few years of starting my own practice were difficult as being a sole trader and mother of two young girls working from home meant that the male dominated industry did not take me seriously. They simply saw me as “Mum” in the suburbs who could not take on the big boys of the industry. Its was something I struggled with for years — juggling the demands of home, running around looking after two small girls, small business debt recovery, misogynistic builders and highly bureaucratic Councils who hamstrung our visions for great architecture by their small-mindedness.

It was only over the last few years when I faced some inner childhood demons that I realised that my innate talents were not subject to any external influences anymore. I simply understood that I could create my own vision and passions and make them happen without the fear factor or buying into set conditions. As soon as I did this I realized the creative juices flowered far easily in more ways than one.

Connecting with what a client truly wants and simply listening to them — the architect can really create something that is truly unique to them. It is all about the synergistic and collaborative approach of the client and the architect working together. The architect simply acts as the interpreter and creator of the three dimensional spaces. The beauty of that lies within the successful space created

However, the feminine aspect of a nurturing home and a safe haven has inherent beauty in that. The definition of a physical home is vastly different to all women around the world. The definition of a safe and loving home space is very real for all women.

From my experience of designing homes and spaces in Sydney it is evident that the function of family plays a large part in the women's decision process for the final outcomes.

The mother really wants to connect with a female architect who understands the varied aspects of raising children and the different phases the children all go through. Having two girls of my own means that I am very qualified to design for a family unit and understand how the socio-economic functions play a part in how long children stay at home for these days.

It is naturally unique to each country and depends on the cultural differences — basically the core family unit loves the tri-arrangement of the kitchen, eating and living all being as open-plan as possible. It is a community based idea. This is a stark contrast to the days when our grandmothers were trundled off to a separate kitchen only to emerge with the finished dinner ready to eat at a formal table.

Everyone lives in a dwelling and a home of some sort and either works in a building of some nature. Everyone at some point has visited a public building like a hospital or a museum or a gallery for example. Even a 3D outdoor sculptural installation, most people have been exposed to at some time in their life. It surrounds us all the time within towns, villages and cities — even remote outposts. The Built environment surrounds you and is a visual feast of shapes, colours and emotions.

Use your intuition to discern the feminine aspects first of a space and see the beauty in the space. Remember not to let your thoughts; feelings and perceptions get in the way.

You will be surprised by just how much more you will breathe in by simply observing.

In the coming months, I will share with you what most inspires me: Beauty in Public spaces; plus the sacred essence of femininity and the balance of masculinity in forms and spaces. Our Built Environment is an exciting place and the soul of an environment can be felt in all spaces as you allow your senses to listen.