“Fourth places” concept

One of the good point of workshop and their informal discussion is that blurry and odd concepts emerges. That’s what happened in a discussion with Fabien (software designer), Jeffrey (architecture professor), Scott (interactive display designer) and I (HCI researcher) with the very idea of bathroom places. We were arguing whether or not restrooms/bathrooms/toilets should be considered as “Third places“.

Then we decided that bathroom deserved a proper term: “Fourth Place” is then more adequate. Nevertheless urinals for instance, as 3rd places, affords social context and then (un-)relevant chat, discussion and intriguing social situations.