I've been thinking about Interesting 2023 and about places for gathering. This is a lovely piece to do with that. And that formulation (Corner, Club Cathedral, Cocoon) is fantastic.
I was also very struck by Robin Dunbar pointing out that conversations can never, really, grow beyond groups of four people and how that is reflected in the design of tables and events. ('Design' might be putting it too strong, it's reflected in how those things have ended up):
"These natural limits on the size of conversation groups are largely responsible for the traditional size of dinner parties and even the size of dining tables. Four people is perfect because they can form a single conversation. Six or eight are OK because they add variety of opinions and a single table can accommodate two or perhaps three separate conversations – with the table still small enough for people to switch from one conversation to another when they feel inclined. But more people than that means that the table has to be so large that conversations across it become impossible (you just cannot hear what someone the other side is saying), and you end up being stuck with just the people either side of you. Moreover, it is very easy for someone to get stuck between two conversations and end up with no one to talk to. Check this out next time you are at a wedding or a formal dinner where tables often seat ten or twelve. Of course, one reason for larger tables at these kinds of events – and the reason they can get away with this arrangement – is that you aren’t really expected to spend the whole time deep in conversation: you are supposed to listen quietly to the speeches."