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Building Fronts

Opening context:
Building Complex, Wings of Light, Positive Outdoor Space, Arcades, Path Shape

Conflict

Building set-backs from the street, originally invented to protect the public welfare by giving every building light and air, have actually helped to destroy the street as a social space.

Resolution

On no account allow setbacks between streets or paths or public open land and the buildings which front on them. The set-backs do nothing valuable and almost always destroy the value of the open areas between the buildings. Build right up to the paths; change the laws in all communities where obsolete by-laws make this impossible. And let the building fronts take on slightly uneven angles as they accommodate to the shape of the street.

Closing context:
Building Edge, Private Terrace on the Street, Gallery Surround, Street Windows, Opening to the Street