The Department of Third Places:
Speculative Design Project

What if there was a department of government that focused on the support and incorporation of third places in American communities?

The Idea:

"The home is the first place; the work lot is the second place ... The third place is where we relax and enjoy an hour or so in good company." - Ray Oldenburg

This project is rooted in this quote from Oldenburg's book The Great Good Place. It looks at what third places are and why they are important in American communities.

This project was completed at UW-Milwaukee during the semester of Fall 2025. To bring this project to life, I created a theoretical department of government that focuses on building and supporting the conditions for third places to flourish in all communities.

Deliverables:

A collection of deliverables made to materialize this idea.

The Process:

The deliverables made varied in size, material, and meaning. Each were used to strengthen and explain the different types of third places, why they are beneficial, and how they could impact Milwaukee communities.

The Department of Third Places' (DOTP) mission is to build and support the conditions for third places to flourish in all communities to ensure that every community has access to inclusive spaces that foster connection, belonging, and well-being.

Third places can be found in your local coffee shop, bar, library, or community center. I wanted to bring this idea to the viewers attention and explain why these kinds of places are beneficial to themselves and their communities. These places are special and should be supported and prioritized by communities.