The 3rd space was coined as a place to represent something that was neither home nor the workplace. If the first space was someone’s home, the second space was their workplace, then there was ultimately a third space, something that filled the gap that the home and workplace couldn’t fill. In recent times, this has come to be known as the bar, that restaurant lounge, the concert, it’s the sports centre, the club, and even the church.
According to Ray Oldenburg, the originator of this concept of the third place, the role is to have an anchor for community life and to have that other avenue for creative interaction. Thus, the third place in its original concept had been envisaged as a place for creative encounters. In Oldenburg’s book, ‘The Great Good Place’, there were 8 characteristics that defined the third place. First was neutrality (concept of freedom), leveling place (there was no status signaling), conversation was the main activity, accessibility, low profile, a regular crew to sustain the culture and vibe, playful mood and a home away from home.
Fast-forward to 2024, and the third space/place has not conformed to this aspect that Oldenburg envisaged. Or to put simply, what is currently known as the third places (bars, churches, cafes, gyms etc) are not fitting the 8 characteristics. From Ortega Group, we see this as opportunity to innovate. It’s something we call, the spaces/places beyond the third space. We call these the Nth spaces/places. It could be the 4th space, the 5th Space, with 8th space being the highest as per Oldenburg’s characteristics. A fourth space is something that meets at least four of the characteristics that Oldenburg noted.
Why the need for a place beyond the third place? Because there’s a deeper yearning for that kind of space. One where conversation is an anchor, where things are levelled, where it’s neutral, it’s not some kind of exclusive club. All these characteristics put out the current ideas such as brunches. Here are some innovations around the Nth space:
- Supper Clubs
Many Ugandans in the suburbs are single and living lonely lives in apartment. There’s opportunity to craft a supper concept, a place where people in the same area meet regularly for supper, have conversations before retiring home.
- Home Escapes
Several Ugandans have invested in homes, however, there’s now need to commercialize some of these homes, in ways that still leave the home operational in its existing space. Is there an emergence of the backyard chill spot that’s open to people on some days of the week? Can one design a home that also serves as an escape for those that need this kind of zone-out from the busy world?
- Waiting Lounges
If you want to spend the day away from home yet have a place to chill in Kampala without necessarily having to order a meal. Just a place to sit and relax, probably lie in a hammock as you pass the day? Are there cozy waiting lounges where one could pay for access or monthly membership? They can access them at any time during the day. Waiting is awkward in most cafes and restaurants, with most restaurants making it uncomfortable for those who over-stay their time. But what if you just want a space to wait for a friend? To wait out the time?
- Reading lounges/Cabins
Imagine if you could book a reading cabin for a day and have some lone-time or a bonding moment with a friend? You could also engage others for a conversation in the evening around a fire place.
- The Live Atrium
Most malls in Kampala have a central place, can this be converted into a musical point? Where artistes can hold performances. This could also be used to drive traffic to the mall. Could this be the spot where breakout talent is spotted? More of a coffeehouse concept but in a mall.
- Salons
These were popular in France, it’s basically a place for exchange of ideas. You meet people there with all kinds of curiosities, and just a buzzing place for ideas ranging from existentialism, the state of the world, technology, art and life, name it all. We see an emergence of literary salons. The Age of conversation is upon us, and these nth spaces are going to be a big deal. Again, salons are also based on the absence of social hierarchy.
- Fiscal Localism
This is more about buying local, supporting the local markets. With the flea markets in most areas, these are already happening. Tubayo is also a form of this concept.
- Living Streets
For most suburbs in Kampala, most people long for human contact, spaces where they could just chill and observe life, observe people, but places that are alive. This could be spaces with cafes, street foods, and probably oriented towards foot traffic/pedestrians with cars in the area minimized.