Assimiliting Third Place Architecture in The Indian Context

Abstract

Over the years, the term “third place” has found a mention in the works of multiple urban sociologists and political scientists to refer to our social surroundings separate from the two usual social environments of home and work which are typically categorized as “first place” and “second place” surroundings respectively. Despite the wholesome lifestyle benefits the “third place”
surroundings offer, the term “third place” has not found its true essence with respect to the Indian context. Through this research, the concept of “third place”, as defined by Ray Oldenburg, has been visualized to suit the Indian context. This helps to understand the idea of community spaces which
would eventually lead to an integration of isolated societies and also promote wellness, particularly in Indian metropolitan cities. This has been achieved by moving from part to whole in connecting housing societies, and then the city as a whole. The research includes studying the proximity of these
“third places”, the process of making these places an interactive zones and the resultant connectivity would lead to a ‘habit of association’. Embracing “third place” architecture with the current joyless economy would result in better understanding of familiars, strangers, and familiar strangers.