Commercial space is designed for dedicated functions and proscribed roles and behavior codes as consumer or commercial actor (greeter/barista/ guard etc.). Starbucks recognized the need for a social space and focused on making a comfortable 3rd place away from work and home. Here is a Comedy shot on location secretly inside IKEA, it is called IKEA Heights. It is funny because we have all been in IKEA and identify with bits of the physical narrative. It is also funny, because it misuses the designed role of the shared social space, treating IKEA like a giant dollhouse/movie set.
With the commercial property bubble bursting ever faster, creating uses for commercial spaces is needed more than ever and of course a sense of humor helps.
Ikea Heights - Episode 7 from DaveAOK on Vimeo.
