In architecture, we get used to giving great attention to details. On the one hand, the more we think of details, the more we elaborate well-studied designs that improve users’ experience. On the other hand, details make our lives as architects unbearable. 

Last Friday I was having a walk by the waterfront promenade of Alexandria “The corniche” in the eastern harbor. Enjoying the blue sea view with the colorful floating fishing bouts. I was enjoying the process of observing. Till I came across this wooden step ladder. Usually, the old stone fence of the corniche is no more than 80 cm in height as it was designed to function as a separator that doesn’t block the view at the eye level, and in the meantime, people can use it as benches to rest. In this sense and by all means, we don’t need a ladder to climb. This left me wondering who installed this ladder and why? 

In architecture, the size and location of every element are a reflection of the function. Then according to the size of that ladder, we would say that it was designed not to serve the masses of people who use corniche, rather serve a few groups, or in other words… “privately used”.