Sep 17, 2020

A place to come together

By Design With • Issue #9 • View online

Hi there! If you missed last week’s issue, it was all about power. Also, if there’s a topic you’re interested in or might like to guest-write, my replies are happily waiting.

Text: This Week

This week, I’ll begin with an Instagram post. Now, maybe you’re older than me, or just well-versed in 1970’s architecture, but this was my first time hearing the term, “conversation pits.” Having pretty much only seen these on Mad Men, I’ve never taken a moment to think about what a conversation pit represents. Safety issues aside, I love the notion that we might create a place where we literally, and figuratively, step into conversation.

Of course, those of us without conversation pits have still created places to do just this: to come together, in conversation. And as designers, we often create spaces for people to safely, meaningfully, and sometimes collaboratively, share their stories. Although we may be missing out on the plush couches and deep red hues, we still manage to step into conversation, together.

NOW at Hunter's Point

Through early conversations with community members, it became clear that this is an area rich in stories that mark the area’s history and diversity but which there have been few outlets to share and capture them.

I’m fairly certain that when I first heard Liz Ogbu speak about this project in 2013, I unknowingly decided to become a designer. A project that could have simply been creating a beautiful (but underused and disconnected) place, turned into something of magic by focusing on creating a space for people to share their stories. Watch the project video and check out Story Corps.

www.lizogbu.com • Share

Migration Lab

Taking a co-creative approach, Migration Lab transforms urban spaces into ‘public living rooms’ – spaces for meeting, interacting and inspiring one another. Working with migrants, refugees and locals, their aim is to facilitate “encounter and exchange between these communities.” Both the process of creating public living rooms, and the ‘finished’ spaces themselves, aim to bring people together.

www.migrationlab.org • Share

MAKE @ Story Garden

Located in a meanwhile space, MAKE is a ‘public space for creative collaboration.’ As the name suggests, it’s a place where you can make things, with lots of kit and expertise on site. But more than that, it’s a space for gathering, hosting regular socials and events for local residents. I am a little biased here, having worked in Somers Town as well as knowing a few of the lovely people involved in the project.

www.instagram.com • Share

Loose ends | Something cute, fun, and new to me. Consider helping create a Black Women’s Freedom Sanctuary, or supporting the California wildfire relief efforts.

Text: "Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody." Jane Jacobs

Thanks

Well, that’s all from me. Sending big hugs to those of you nearby the wildfires. My hearts with you, California.

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By Design With

A monthly newsletter curated by Tyler Gindraux, a researcher and service designer based in London.

Design With is for people who practice or are interested in participatory approaches to service design, research, innovation and urban planning.

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