The Subjectivity of a Stillspot: Where to Find Silence in NYC Final Project Presentation By: Maxwell Sokol GSAPP, Urban Planning Source: 1

Morningside Heights (vast majority) Chelsea Nolita Clinton Hill East Village TriBeCa Park Slope Ridgewood Hells Kitchen Astoria Carroll Gardens Fort Greene Gramercy Greenpoint Lefferts Gardens Midtown West Crown Heights Murray Hill Hamilton Heights NoMad Washington Heights Yankee Stadium neighborhood Midtown East Riverdale Williamsburg Marine Park 2

Parks (vast majority) – Central Park – Riverside Park – Hudson River Park – Morningside Park – Bryant Park – Madison Square Park – Washington Square Park – The High Line – Battery Park – Fort Greene Park – Prospect Park – “Pocket” Parks Other answers – Libraries – Museums – Theaters – Art Galleries – Places of Worship – Public Plazas – Transit / Taxis – Fire Escapes / Rooftops – Restaurants / Cafes – Gyms / Yoga Studios – Spas / Bathhouses – Beach (in summer) 3

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My Subjective Stillspot: The Library Libraries as Unique Stillspots – Places of Institutionalized/Enforced Silence {Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh…} Source: NYPL Digital Archive 5

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To do work / study: – Few distractions – Big tables – Comfortable – Late hours – Internet/WIFI – Printing 7

Museums Places of Worship Art Galleries Theaters Yoga Studios College Residence Halls One bar in NYC: – Burp Castle (7 th Street & 2 nd Avenue) “Quiet cars” on Amtrak 8

Online Survey Highlights: Interesting Quotes “I don't have a need to ‘escape the noise and find silence.’ ” “ I usually have to leave the city to experience pure quiet outside of my [apartment].” “Silence isn't really silence - there is still noise around me - silence for me is more ‘in my head silence.’ ” “The library may be quiet, but there's way too much mental noise going on there when things are busy and there's a lot to do, so I prefer other places.” 9

In-Person Surveys at NYPL Source: knowledgerush.com 10

In-Person Survey Highlights Interesting Findings: – One-third of respondents were tourists. – Most non-tourists visit this library for its resources, not the silence. Interesting Quotes: – “I’m never looking for silence.” – “I can’t think of any silent places in this city.” – “For me, a silent place needs to have Wi-Fi.” 11

The Scale of Stillspots Are Stillspots confined to individual places? OR Can entire neighborhoods be Stillspots? 12

Top 10 Most Quiet Neighborhoods in NYC (as rated by locals) 1.Battery Park City (MN) 2.Middle Village (QN) 3.Long Island City (QN) 4.Kew Gardens (QN) 5.Pelham Gardens (BX) 6.Bath Beach (BK) 7.South Midwood (BK) 8.Riverdale/Spuyten Duyvil (BK) 9.Sunnyside (QN) 10.Carnegie Hill (MN) Source: 13

Source: Most QuietLeast Quiet 14

Conclusion There is no single definition of a Stillspot in New York City. – What a Stillspot is, and where you can find one, depends on who you ask. To visualize my research process and findings, I created a mind map, entitled “A User’s Guide to Stillspotting in New York City.” 15

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