In between Piedmont North A and North B, an outside area hidden behind a parking deck exists. When approaching the designated smoke area an umbrella can be seen casting shade over one of two tables. While seated at either of the tables, one will immediately whiff the signature odor of tobacco as it pervades the air. Inspecting the area for the source of the smell, one’s senses would direct them to a small pyramid shaped ash tray with a mound of cigarettes and loose tobacco in its interior. The ashtray’s corners are encompassed by charred remains strikingly similar to the two tables in three feet proximity. Ash on the tables appears smeared like flour on cutting boards to the point the true hue of the tables is obscure to the naked eye. When either is wiped, a royal blue is revealed to be sleeping under the blanket of ash. Amongst the sight and smell of tobacco, horns, engines and sirens invade ear drums. In the direction of the sounds there are metal rails, halting one from continuing further. Initially, at the edge of the rails the horizon greets all who observe it but, below where vibrations in the air are emanating from, there is a highway. Cars can be seen running rampantly down the road in droves. Like ants off to work the cars converge in multiple streamed lines in the lanes onto them.

When questioning the objects and design of the space, revelations about the environment are unveiled to the observer. The smoke area’s location is inconspicuous, as if it was an intentional act of the school to give those who decide to smoke privacy or to obscure those people from the general public’s sight. This privacy gives off a feeling of being isolated from everything else and allows people to socially open up without precautions. The tables being oblong with seats around them contribute to the connectedness one feels while at the smoke area. The Royal Blue being the centralized school color also contributes to the connection one feels at the smoke area. In addition, being that the area is located on campus and accessible only through ID makes all who inhabit the area know that they are connected some way through the school Equally interesting there is only one umbrella, but there are two tables. The perceivable benefit of having one umbrella is that it allows flexibility for anyone’s preference of the current weather. If someone wanted to smoke while it was raining the umbrella would dutifully shield them while they are under it; if it were hot then someone could remain in the sun as they might like the heat or take refuge in the shade of the umbrella. Having one umbrella accommodates the many different preferences of people who would occupy the space. Also, the location of the smoke area being above the highway, gives a scenic aspect to it. While the sounds of the cars alone can be stimulating, the addition of their view paints a far greater portrait whether in day or night.

People who choose to occupy the space vary from person to person. There are three females under the umbrella topped table. Two of them are wearing Georgia State affiliate shirts, however the one on the far right is wearing a lime colored shirt with shades covering her eyes. While looking into their lively faces the first thing noticed about them is the smoothness of their skin and the way it radiates their color. Two of the young ladies have pale complexioned skin, like the interior of an apple. The young lady’s, center of the three, skin is comparable to a dark coconut color of even gradient with a subtle deepness that could trap one’s attention. None of the girls were smoking; instead they were studiously doing an assignment together. The trio of girls seemed joyful as occasionally one out of their group would bellow laughter and smile at the others while they did their work. A column of smoke blows by in front of their image. Focus, is then drawn to the left of the group of girls towards the source of the hazy nicotine filled clouds. There was a guy slouched over the rails looking at the high way and puffing an enormous cigar. His skin had a similar hue to beach sand. The statue of a man wore grey sneakers with jeans and a black shirt. His expression was stoic and he rarely moved aside from lifting the cigar to and from his mouth. From time to time he would take a big puff an exhale marginally louder than that of a normal breath, as if he were sighing and releasing some inner turmoil into the air. His eyes were a static deep blue and reflected a conscious mind’s pondering. Sitting across from the girls past the trailing smoke, and at the other table was a man with a Georgia State insignia on the upper left side of his shirt. His posture was hunched over as he took bites of a burger from the bag in front of him. He was very large but not necessarily lean-massed. His head was bald and glistened with sweat. He wore a light blue collared shirt with blue slacks. There were letterings on his shirt that spelled out “Apogee” under the Georgia State insignia. He smacked his lips as he devoured his fast food without hesitation. He kept looking at his watch in between intervals where he would slow his pace down.

Many people in the space seem either completely internally focused or completely extroverted. The area allows one to get lost in their own thoughts with the help of the environment and if it’s group. The trios of girls while they don’t smoke are still attracted to the location because of the privacy and low traffic of it. The girls most likely also enjoy the feeling of just being outside and choose to do their work there without anything to draw away their focus. The guy over the rails looking down on the highway is receiving some feeling from watching the cars go by that he enjoys. It is apparent he enjoys that sight significantly because if he wanted to, he could sit down and smoke instead of hunch over the rails. From his behavior it can be assumed he’s delving into introspection and catharsis with each inhale. The Apogee affiliate was presumably on a lunch break or simply eating to meet some timed criteria, He enjoys the separation from the rest of the campus that the smoke area gives off. This is supported by the fact that he could have eaten in the dining hall or at another area, one that is not so secluded. As a whole this space certainly appeals to an interesting group of people from the trio of girls, to the lone smoker, and to the time crunched man.