project 43/

CLOSETS OF SOLITUDE

E. Lidina, 4th grade student, Moscow Our cities today represent virtually unlivable environments. We are not talking about isolation inside one's house - every person can see to this independently, after all, it is "his" house. But from the moment we enter "public" space, the environment is impossible. A lot has been said about the smog, noise, numerous advertisements that terrorize our attention and make it impossible to concentrate on anything. Now at the end of the century, one more "ingredient" has been added to this ensemble - we ourselves.

The streets are overcrowded, whether we are hurrying on business, heading home or just out for a walk, we can hardly push ourselves through the other people. And this presence everywhere of an enormous quantity of people is depressing for our sense of well-being on the street.

The project "Closets of Solitude" solves this problem which could be catastrophic in the nearest future. In various over- crowded parts of the city, especially as busy intersections or under trees, small closets are placed and a person can walk in, close the door and spend some time in solitude. Ventilation in the closet is provided by a special system, it is also of sound- proof materials, and hence it can provide 5-8 minutes in a quiet, dark place. This 5-8 minutes of solitude in such a dark place completely restores the nervous system and helps one to concentrate.

The closets can be placed in proximity to one another, in rows of 2-3-4, forming unified complexes.

CLOSETS OF SOLITUDE

1. Build two kinds of "closets": an "open" one and a "closed" one. Each type has a door for entering. Make a bench attached to the wall in the "closed" closet, and install a lamp (25 w) inside. Paint both types dark gray inside and out. Construct both types from plywood.