Along the entire left wall is perhaps one of 8 Ball Hall’s most noteworthy features, a blackboard. As seen in the photos above and below, are various drawings or phrases in colored chalk. On ledges attached to the wall are pieces of chalk with which students are able to draw or write whatever they may please. The blackboard immediately gives the impression that this space is designed for students and their free time. The students are given free reign to design whatever they choose on the wall, reminding outsiders that this space is student-orientated.

 

 

With this large blackboard chalk wall, the space encourages the users to define, in this case, 8 Ball Hall, as they see fit. While most of the design within the space is static, unchangeable by the actual users of the environment, this wall is the only variable feature. Here, user decisions concerning design are subject to be changed by anyone who enters the space, asserting  that campus spaces like this one are crafted for specific users. Not only do students share their work with others while enjoying the lively and welcoming environment, they maintain the user ownership of the space. The blackboard contributes to the atmosphere of conversation, interaction, and community between people in the room.

 

 

The single computer at the far end of the space, is connected to a set of speakers that running throughout the space. As a result, students will often chooses songs to play on YouTube or Spotify while they enjoy the space. With the computer free for anyone to access, 8 Ball Hall fosters the idea that anyone can shape this community, welcoming to anyone who walks through their front doors.

 

 

The  couches, pool tables, blackboard, and music invite users to use this space for their leisure and entertainment, goal of the space; therefore pleasing the designers as the users in fact do behave how they are supposed here. Not only that, with the reassurance that the space is meant for them, users seem to be rather comfortable in the environment. In a survey passed to users of the space, in response to the question, “why do you choose to come here rather than another environment/space,” the results showed that the ambience and community appeared to be their prevailing reasons to visit 8 Ball Hall. To the students, the environment is “chill, friendly, and fun” allowing them to hang out with their friends and meet other students on campus.  One user even said “I love the atmosphere of 8 Ball Hall. It’s a beautiful space and I feel comfortable doing homework down there.”

Yet with every design of a space, there are always certain features that users have problems with or hope to change. While most believed that nothing should be changed, some of the users pooled in the previously mentioned survey, found the “issues” to be relatively trivial, such as more pool tables or cue sticks to shoot with. However, there were some features of the space that could be changed. Users thought the quality of the equipment such as the video game systems could be updated and the poles that support the  ceiling be removed (many pool players find that they get in the way of their playing).

 

Overall, however, users found 8 Ball Hall to do exactly as it was outlined for. The architecture and elements of design each had an exact purpose within the environment. With an emphasis on amusement and relaxation, third places allow room for conversation and relationship between people and therefore cultivates a community amongst all who visit the space.