Bruna Borges
Community ‘Building’
This Design Thesis explores the development of public spaces beyond developing ‘for’ the community, but developing ‘with’ the community, and for the long-term. The proposal is a gentle but efficient refurbishment and landscaping of The Old Bathing Pool Site in St. Leonard’s, Hastings. This site once contained a historic olympic sized pool that was enjoyed by tourists and locals alike before it was demolished in the 80s. Today, the site has been earmarked by a widely disliked residential block development after being left unkept and underfunded for decades.
Working with the support of members from the St. Leonard’s community, I have integrated workshops and a coastal mixed-used community complex that brings leisure and small local productions together. This encourages unexpected interactions between visitors and locals as well as regenerating the site into a charming new destination. Thanks to the Save Our Bathing Site group and other St. Leonard’s locals who have helped me to make this a more interesting project than simply proposing a space from the authoritative position of a designer. There is much that can be gained from making architectural design for community developments more collaborative, both in process and outcome.
Exploring Co-Design and Collaborative Practice Methodologies
In my project ‘Community ‘Building’’ I have employed my own interpretation of Critical Communicative Methodology (CCM) for co-designing community workshops for my adaptable ‘community workshop parade’. In ‘Community Research for Participation’, Lisa Goodson defines CCM as an “intersubjective dialogue between researchers and participants.” I was able to develop and explore a collaborative methodology and create a detailed record of my process with Hasting’s artist Thilaka Hillman.
During the task, the user (Thilaka) participated directly with the designer (me) and was able to articulate her own views, interpretations and impressions of the design concept. Both of us contributed to the debate and the hierarchy was broken down. In the end, especially for community proposals, it is important for individuals to understand a project so they can see their influence and feel a sense of ownership towards it.
By enabling community groups to get involved as co-designers of their space, more informed and sensitive design responses can be created. Proposals that genuinely reflect their wishes and needs. This is only achieved if the participants feel free and encouraged to express their ideas. Purposeful collaborative methods such as CCM will be key to this ambition.
‘Waste Opportunities’ Construction & Materiality Strategy
The ‘waste opportunities’ construction and materiality strategy for my project ‘Community ‘Building’’ integrates the upcycling and circular use of two major waste sources in Hastings (hospitality/tourism polythene plastics and construction waste) into the design strategy for the adaptable and expandable community spaces. With this approach, these ‘waste’ products are diverted from landfill and are turned into building materials that can be continuously upcycled and recycled as the structures change over time. Additionally, the manufacture of these circular materials can happen alongside the proposed community workshops and encourage an emerging and sustainable industry for St. Leonard’s, Hastings.
Contact Bruna Borges
- Phone
- +447502038930
- brunaa.brgs@gmail.com
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/brunaborges96/