Activists are by nature active,
Those who want to affect the world will actively seek opportunities to do so. The challenge facing the Peace Pentagon is getting the word across to those who don't seek it. Passivists are out there, and it is increasingly harder to get their attention. We propose a three layered approach - the public encounters the tenants at street level; the building broadcasts its content on the facade; and invites people in for various functions.
Ground level space is of highest demand because of its exposure to foot traffic. Currently the space is leased to retail tenants, generating income for the building, but keeping its activities on upper levels, hidden from the public eye. New public programs are located at street level, creating street presence for activism, and new leasable office spaces are introduced on upper levels, generating revenue and foot traffic within the building.
A building's skin is intended to protect, shield and separate. We have tasked the skin with broadcasting a message - the skin folds to uncover content, or displays images directly on the facade, both as a platform for advocacy and a potential source of revenue..
Welcoming the passivist while nurturing a community of activists, the building offers a series of semi-public spaces leading up to the upper level event space. These spaces host new and old programs, creating a place for visitors to learn and choose their level of participation. Each semi-public space is surrounded by tenants grouped along common goals to encourage sharing resources and ideas.