Bright Mirror Film
Bright Mirror Film
Objective: To stimulate the creation of a story with surreal characters and events, within the use of new technologies.
Objective: To stimulate the creation of a story with surreal characters and events, within the use of new technologies.
CO-DESIGNING DERVALLIÈRES URBAN SPACE
COMMUNITY RESEARCH
2019
Final Master's project developed at L'École de Design Nantes Atlantique, working with the neighborhood of Dervallières in Nantes, France.
A co-design project with the inhabitants of the neighborhood, to encourage a more livable public space, designing playful urban furniture for every-changing uses suited to the inhabitants' needs.
Project questioning: How to encourage a more livable neighborhood and create a sense of belonging in its inhabitants?
CONTEXT
The neighborhood was built after World War II, at the border area of the nowadays "Ville de Nantes", as a response to the massive migration post-war. In consequence, social housings were built around the "Parc des Dervallières" to provide a place to live.
As a result of the rapid growth, the design of the neighborhood's urban public space had a lack of importance during its development.
The government, as well as new neighbors, focused on the main issue of the time: Housing. Nevertheless, as time passed, people living around the area were craving a sense of belonging and safety in their neighborhood.
MAPPING TOOL
Based on the "12 quality criteria" by Gelh institute and "Mental maps" by Kevin Lynch.
The "Mapping Tool" was conducted with around 100 inhabitants of the neighborhood of Dervallières at "Maison de Quartier".
The results showed an important role played by the park, which is a key point that connects the most frequent public spaces, such as the elementary school, "La place des Dervallieres" and "Maison de Quartier".
Moreover, the Park is a place the community love and is proud of, but at the same time they have shown feel uncomfortable and boring spending some time in it.
PROPOSAL
Circular arrangement
Linear arrangement
Horizontal arrangement
Vertical arrangement
Objectives:
To create a fun and multi-functional urban public space, while involving the inhabitants of Dervallières in the creation process.
1. CO-CONCEPTION:
This co-conception tool, in a small-scale version, allows the habitants to understand and to play with the possible arrangments of their public space: in a circular, linear, vertical, and horizontal way.
2. CO-CONSTRUCTION:
The neighbors can co-construct their urban furniture at workshops with local organizations as La Fabrique and Maison de Quartier, who are 2 actors involved in the development of the community.
The basic shapes focused on dimensions (all the shapes are proportional), in order to be easy to co-construct with people.
The materials proposed are light steel for the frame and wood, not all faces are covered, with the intention to be easy to handle and move around a specific area.
3. INTERACTION:
The neighbors can play with the urban furniture to explore the multiple usages of the space, according to their needs or desires.