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February 21, 2022 | Theoretical Framework

Together by Vivek H. Murphy explains the internal needs for human connection. Psychological research and history of this primitive urge.

Op zoek naar nieuw publiek domein by Maarten Hajer & Arnold Reijndorp is a research analysis of the city landscape, and the wants and needs in public space. It’s a visual research accompanied by text.

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February 21, 2022 | References & Theory

Afdeling / Buitengewone Zaken

Wanneer we een product of dienst testen, of een nieuw idee willen bedenken of verifiëren dan kunnen soft skills zoals het observeren van reacties of het indirect vragen over hetgeen we écht willen weten veel betere antwoorden opleveren. Bij het observeren kan het zelfs zo zijn dat we antwoorden vinden op vragen die we nog niet bedacht hadden.

Wij pakken uitdagingen aan door tastbaar onderzoek direct in de praktijk uit te voeren. De snelheid waarmee wij van vraag naar executie gaan is ongeëvenaard: we leggen behoeftes bloot, bedenken creatieve experimenten die hierop aansluiten en brengen deze met veel energie tot leven. Zo leren we snel wat wel en niet bruikbaar is en leveren daarmee tastbaar bewijs voor je innovatie.Wat dat oplevert?Snellere resultaten, minder risico in je ontwikkelproces en daarmee een besparing op je middelen.

https://afdelingbuitengewonezaken.nl/tag/veldonderzoek?_locale=nl

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February 21, 2022 | References

The LUSTHOFxl foundation has the ambition to make The Hague an open, lively and creative city. Their principles are based on:

• Social inclusiveness

• Involve people make them responsible

• Improve image of empowered neighborhoods

• Create green and sustainable interventions in these neighbourhoods

They do this by mapping habits and patterns, conducting interventions, organizing events, determining vision and placemaking. They strive for residents based on simple and playful guidelines, whereby they actually realize realistically in public space.

In ‘Welkom in het Park’, a number of beach chairs was placed in the park. Before, the park was solely used by dog owners, and quick walks. These chairs create opportunity to recreate and enjoy the park. By this simple invention, the public space becomes more lively. Different people meet. Everyone can make use of the chairs.

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February 21, 2022 | References

GUERILLA GARDENING ON LOWLANDS (2011) - Ester van de Wiel

Visitors to August’s Lowlands 2011 (a Dutch music and culture festival in Biddinghuizen) got a chance to flex their green thumbs at the vertical edible guerrilla gardening installation. We showed how to make seed bombs, garden without land, make their own natural remedies and more. We joined in the guerrilla gardening movement – which consists of small actions that help to beautify neglected bits of urban space – with workshops that helped festivalgoers turn Lowlands into one big garden.

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February 17, 2022 | References

The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces (dir. William Whyte Jr, 1980) Movie notes

the sun influences where people sit

There’s a problem in underused space

Go to square and note down where people stay, what they were doing >>> patterns start to appear

No1 activity: people looking at other people, there isn’t much mixing

Steps are easy to sit on

Feel protected under trees

People clutter to edges of square

People tend to sit where there are places to sit ‘they make a place sittable’

low & hospitable

Swings

Fixed seats don’t work that well. “ I sit here and you sit there ”

A sight, place to show people, place to discuss

Vestibule is a social place in it’s own right

Sunken plazas are forgotten > people like to be up to top and look down

(scheme)

Water has a nice sound. The look + feel

Food for lively activity

Social point. Gossip station

Compress tables so peole have to meet

Sittable space

street

sun food

water

trees

triangulation

Performer creates connection

Public art is social gathering spot

Vendor / bookshops in central park

Front of MET steps

scale is key variable

aller spaces

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February 15, 2022 | External Partner

The External Partner I’m considering to work with is the Municipality of The Hague. The municipality of The Hague has set up campaigns for people who feel lonely or isolated. Especially for youth they’ve got tips and recommendations for connecting young adults with other people. Chatting online with others, being coupled up with someone. I believe there can be a more low-key solution for people to meet others. Where you don’t need to actively make an appointment, and can go to whenever you want.

https://www.denhaag.nl/nl/in-de-stad/servicepunt-sociaal/ehbe.htm

https://www.denhaag.nl/nl/in-de-stad/servicepunt-sociaal/ehbe/hulp-bij-eenzaamheid-voor-jongeren.htm

https://www.eentegeneenzaamheid.nl/mijn-gemeente/met-zn-allen-niet-alleen/

https://www.rotterdam.nl/wonen-leven/voor-mekaar/

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February 15, 2022 | References

Art Folly Norg | Reverie - Meg Mercx, Rob Verwer

At the Art Folly Norg festival in Drenthe past summer 2021 I saw this installation. It portrays the archetype of a typical Dutch ‘rijteshuis’ (house). It is too stiff for my liking, but I like the simplicity of it. It doesn’t intrude the public space, which I find a nice aspect. It isn’t invasive and blends nicely with the environment. I do that in my final design I’d want something that’s more interactive. Moving parts that ask for an activity would be a requirement.

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Extracts from articles about creating connection (NL)

February 14, 2022 | References

Klasseverschil uit zich het meest hardnekkig in kunst, merkt ze. „Kunst, cultuur, literatuur, klassieke muziek, een instrument spelen, toneel, theater, culinair eten, wijn: het is niet voor ons. We houden er niet van, we doen er niet aan, het is leuk voor andere mensen, maar niet voor ons. We kunnen het niet, we snappen het niet. Kunst is een hobby voor de elite, niet voor ons soort mensen. Het was de impliciete en expliciete boodschap van mijn jeugd.”

https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2021/02/16/vooral-cultureel-kapitaal-bepaalt-het-klasseverschil-a4031867

In coronatijd beginnen met een studie is karig. Inhoudelijk kan studeren online, maar onderdeel worden van een opleidingscommunity, de omgangsvormen leren kennen, nieuwe sociale relaties aangaan, vriendschappen voor het leven, sociale steun – dat ontbreekt. Nieuwe vrienden maak je niet via een scherm, zeggen alle jongeren in dit verhaal.

https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2020/11/06/nieuwe-vrienden-maak-je-niet-via-een-scherm-a4019083

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February 14, 2022 | References

‘The Talking Bench is a tool designed to facilitate conversation and ultimately build trust amongst strangers. I decided to create the bench due to an ongoing societal phenomenon, where we are becoming increasingly skeptical and untrustworthy of our fellow humans. I find this phenomenon profoundly concerning as our world is facing several problems, that no single country or human can solve independently.’

Inspiring project by 2021 WDKA alumni Sebastian Gudmand-Høyer. His simplicity and direct use to the environment I find a good concept. It’s a comical act, yet very clear what his intentions are. It makes me curious to know more, and see how people respond to his acts.

https://sebastiangudmandhoyer.com/the-talking-bench

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February 14, 2022 | References

The Embassy of Intimacy was a project at DDW 2017 curated by Tom Loois & Angelique Spaninks.

How spaces, objects and bodies meet

How do we relate to ourselves and to others? The ways in which we are open and intimate with each other has heavily changed over the course of time. In the eighteenth century, family life was highly private and having a connection with the outside world was not as self-evident as it is today. This all changed at the end of the nineteenth century when certain social roles and structures dissolved and we started to express and share our feelings. But to what extent do we want to share, with whom, when and how? The Embassy of Intimacy is an exhibition, a social experiment but most of all a test site for new forms of closeness, manners and relationships. By means of (predominantly) performative works – including circus acts, immersive installations and experiences, and literary projects – the visitor is actively invited to create a deeper understanding of his / her / its own intimacy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf3xyC4l5i4&t=160s

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February 14, 2022 | Research plan

I’m thinking of creating a manual for a final research paper format. This manual will explain how to create a connection with a stranger in public space. How do you use the designated tool to get in touch with others? As an inspiration for this format, I have looked at essays from Near Future Laboratory Lab. I want my research to become very visual, and text mostly only as a support. Illustrations and digital collages should tell the story. The paper will start wil a manual, and end with explanations of the design process. This basically involves test cases + analyses of these.

Structure:

* Manual on how to use the object

* Example 1 of object being tested

+ analysis

* Example 2 of object being tested

+ analysis

* Example 3 of object being tested

+ analysis

* Conclusion and explanation on the great use of this design.

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Context of Powerplay

February 11, 2022 | Research plan

POWERPLAY focuses on understanding the norms that govern institutions, human behavior, and representations of power, searching for ways to subvert dominant (visual) narratives.

This project is targeted at intimacy in public exterior space. By intimacy, the connection between humans is meant. We all behave and treat each other in certain ways because of different influences. During this research, I’m examining how public exterior space affects human behaviours. These public exteriors are all designed and decided amongst certain norms. I will explore which exact norms these are, and question them.

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February 11, 2022 | Theoretical Framework

This theoretical framework is a mixture of philosphical and more applied works. A Pattern Language focuses on different elements in (public) space and explains what characterises these elements. It helps to analyse space and can be used as a design tool as well.

The Poetics of Space is a more philosophical and emotional approach to space. This book will be useful to view space from a more sensible and different perspective. Because I’m working with a quite abstract topic, I believe it’s important not to get into applied references too fast.

Het weer in de stad is a book on environmental psychology. It mixes applied and tangible choices with a psychological approach.

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Project Proposal / Project Plan

February 11, 2022 | Research plan

I am going to research intimacy in public exterior space. How do people use the space, and how can you create a tool that stimulates people’s interaction? Public spaces are always designed around the idea that people should meet and encounter. But: how well does this work? Through hands-on field research, by doing interviews and interactive games, I want to figure out whether the designs and thoughts on public spaces actually work. And what can we do to enhance the experience in public space, and stimulate encounters with strangers?

My research question is as follows:

How do you bring people closer to each other using public space?

Sub-questions regarding this:

1. What are theoretical theories behind public space (and how are they implemented)?

2. How do people form emotional connections? Without using words. Physical connections.

3. What adjustments need to be made in a space to enhance connection?

My target group is specifically for the youth (16-28) of big cities in the Netherlands (Den Haag, Rotterdam, Delft). The numbers of people in this agegroup feeling lonely are increasing. The municipality of The Hague is raising awareness for this problem and has several services to offer. Meanwhile, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the numbers of students feeling lonely are increasing. These numbers were already high before the pandemic even started.

By doing experiments with prototypes, I want to develop a tool or create an addition to a public exterior space which can stimulate connections on small scale. It should make a space feel more safe and inviting.

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February 8, 2022 | References

Peik Suyling has built a little bakery in a shed. The idea of this bakery is the act and ritual of making break Peik wants to create connection between people. He argues that the process of making bread achieves this. Because making bread is such a universal process, it’s more easy to connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds. It’s about the simplicity of baking bread that can start as a conversation starter. By making bread together, the conversation comes naturally.

What I find inspiring of Peik’s work, is to focus on connection, rather than loneliness. He’s finding a way in which we can connect. This project shows that by achieving / doing something together, you can create an intimate act.

http://www.bakkerij-de-eenvoud.nl/amsterdam/h/2555/308/11088/Activiteiten/Eenvoud-als-Drijfveer

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February 8, 2022 | References

Madelinde Hageman did a project in which she researched loneliness. She designed a collective workshop in which everyone was making up words that express specific feelings of loneliness. She based these principles on Inuit language, in which there’s 22 words that describe snow. This shows a versatile approach to one concept (loneliness / snow).

This project is relevant to me as it takes a problem / research question, and tackles it by working on it in a group. Making a sensitive subject like loneliness negotiable.

https://www.madelinde.com/blog/taalvooreenzaamheid/

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February 7, 2022 | Research plan

My initial plan is that my project will consist of three important components.

Theoretical research consists of translating important literature / theory into schemetic drawings. This helps me to process and really understand the content, and make it legible for others.

Design research  consists of creating protoypes that will be used during field research. The theoretical research should for a base for design research. The Design research is a continuous program that runs simultaneously with field research.

Field research requires me to use prototypes for my final design, and conduct interviews on the streets. I would like to rather have people do activities, instead of asking them direct questions. I will document this through photographs and videos.