Process and Context |
place performances as engagement strategies |
The goal of this project is to redesign an alley, an infrastructural and often void territory, into an occupiable area or a Third Space. The first steps in this process were not architectural but rather installations and interventions that drew public awareness, and set us up for future interventions. These interventions were provisional, and designed to enhance interaction and engagement. These experimental strategies, included Balloon Dreams, Alley Painting, and Prototyping, described below. Balloon Dreams
Our first intervention involved stringing colorful balloons along the alleyway and ask citizens to question what an alley is, and consider what it can potentially become. The balloons shimmered in the sun, floated around in the wind, and created a canopy over the alley. The event took place during the 2015 Lisbon Avenue Arts Festival on September 25, 2015. The festival takes place on the empty lots adjoining Amaranth Cafe on Lisbon Avenue. By placing these colorful balloons at the entryway of the alley behind Amaranth Cafe we drew in curious people who came to attend the arts fair. We asked the participants to complete this phrase: "Before I die, I would like to..." By presenting this question we asked the community to state an aspiration and associate it with this space by writing their answers on the balloons. This performance created a place based memory of this event. By participating, the alley transformed into a positive space imbued with the memories of those who participated. This process was a foundation for continued involvement, and a catalyst for feedback. Nearly every balloon was written on, and everyone walked away with a smile making this event a huge success. Above: At our balloon event, we brought a scaled wood model of the alley and asked children to paint it and show what they would like to see in this space. This resulted in a vibrant and colorful model. Perhaps they were inspired by the rainbow of colors from the balloons hanging above them. It is from this model that we extracted colors for the painted alley.
Alley Paint
The balloon event taught us something. We realized that without a real threshold into the space, no one will be drawn into the alley. Additionally, people were now invested in the space, so we questioned what more we could do for the neighborhood that would initiate further change. We decided to paint the alley in bright colors. The alley paint is a multi purposed and tactical urbanist piece. Spatially, it begins to form a threshold into the alley. Socially it brings awareness to the space. And objectively it begins to redefine how an alley looks and feels. A direct link to childrens' creative process gives the community renewed ownership of the neighborhoods unused spaces. Though we were unable to do the whole alley, the intervention still generated interest in community members, some who wanted to see even further development of painted surfaces around their homes and throughout the alley. |
Prototypes
Prototyping allowed us to understand the relationship between the alley and its surrounding areas. Initially the following 'kit of parts' projects were intended to become a network of installation pieces. Kit of Parts: Stalls
Mobility, adaptability and flexibility are the key elements of these stalls. Built out of oriented strand board (OSB), these separate modules can be used as workspaces, cubicles for collaboration, public market stalls, booths for a community event or simply put together to form a covered working space. The modules is made up of planes (floor, wall, ceiling) and furniture elements that are assembled in different configurations. Modular shelves were inserted into slots between wall boards, creating display and storage areas. Designed for a short term use, these stalls were meant to be used during outdoor festivals, farmer's markets or for disaster relief. With the creative use of materials, colors and furniture placement, each module were distinct, while easily reconfigurable in order to fit individual needs. |