This is an example of micro-intervention in public space with local community -the development of a small lot which does not belong to owners of local buildings. Previously, this space was in a very bad condition and was used as an illegal parking space. The housing community (inhabitants of the local residential buildings) decided to put this space in order. They invited me to this project in order to design the space, so that they could use it as common space for meetings, rest and picnicking.
Local
Poland
Wielkopolska
Mainly urban
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
No
No
Yes
2018-12-31
As an individual
First name: Pawel Last name: Grobelny Gender: Male Nationality: Poland If relevant, please select your other nationality: Poland Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Ulica Wielka 11 m. 7 Town: Poznan Postal code: 61-774 Country: Poland Direct Tel:+48 604 857 607 E-mail:pawelgrobelny@yahoo.com Website:http://pawelgrobelny.com
A square design with structural landscaping was created as part of the revitalization of the historic district Chwaliszewo in Poznań, implemented by a the housing cooperative. The circle is a central point of the designed square. This is an example of an open form of urban furniture – not exactly defined, leaving various possibilities for use by inhabitants. The intersection of the circle was necessary to maintain circulation spaces between the buildings and at the same time it plays the traditional function of a municipal bench. In turn, the platform enables lying, organizing picnics – treating this place like a backyard terrace, yet still in the public space.
This is an example of micro-intervention in public space with local community – the development of a small lot which does not belong to owners of local buildings. Previously, the square was in a very bad condition and was used, above all, as an illegal parking space. The housing community (inhabitants of the local residential building) decided to put this space in order. They invited me to this project in order to design the space, so that they could use it as common space for meetings, rest and picnicking, but also to make this space visually attractive when viewed from their windows and balconies.
In view of the grass-roots nature of the project, it was divided into several stages, so that the budget intended for the project could be spread over a period of several years. To begin with, the whole area was cleaned and a bench was built, while in the following years, plants were grown and lighting was installed. Though the project is not big, for reasons related to the budget, its implementation lasted several years.
Social inclusion
Common space
Neighbourhood space
Low budget - sustainable project
Nature and aesthetics in the immediate environment of residents
In view of the grass-roots nature of the project, it was divided into several stages, so that the budget intended for the project could be spread over a period of several years. To begin with, the whole area was cleaned and a bench was built, while in the following years, plants were grown and lighting was installed. Though the project is not big, for reasons related to the budget, its implementation lasted several years.
Such a design procedure/design methodology that was developed in this project together with residents can be easily transferred to other collaborations with residents and co-design of their nearby surroundings. This project can also be treated as a knowledge base - how such low-cost projects can be spread out over time, so that housing communities can allocate a portion of money annually for such projects, and that such a method of financing should be included in the project and in the breakdown of its implementation stages.
The main goal was to create an attractive common space for residents. To also take into account different perspectives - including those from their windows and balconies, so that this new space is also visually attractive when they look at it from their windows and balconies. It was also important to use natural materials (wood) and greenery to create intimacy for residents in this space.
This successful solution, also a collaboration with residents, can be used for future projects, where the designer is not only responsible for the visual and technical design, but is also a facilitator between residents in the co-creation of a common space.
The project was carried out together with the residents, so the role of the designer was not only to design this space (aesthetic, material, spatial, technical issues), but also the role of the designer was to be a facilitator in cooperation with the residents. Such design experience is also gaining knowledge for future projects. I think that after several such projects in different spaces, a guidebook could be developed for conducting such design processes for small shared neighborhood spaces. Such an accumulation of knowledge from carrying out such a process would facilitate my work on subsequent projects, but could also be helpful to other designers, as well as in my design education.
Residents were involved in the creation of the project from the very beginning. Many concepts for the space were created, which were then discussed together with the residents, who also financed the project. Despite the fact that this space did not belong to them, they did not receive any funding from the city or other sources. Every year (for four years) they allocated part of the funds they raised to realize the current state of this pocket park.
To me this project is very special, as it represents the grass-roots initiative and was not in any way inspired by municipal authorities. The inhabitants decided to take care of this space, which, after all, did not belong and still does not belong them. But it really disturbed them that this space was neglected. They decided to invite a designer for this project, and a grass-roots initiative turned into a project which is my favourite project in my entire portfolio. It received an award for the best designed public space in Poland, from among 15 other nominated projects participating in the ”Polish Architecture XXL” contest in the year 2018. After this award, the inhabitants started to care even more for this space. They said that not only did they like to take advantage of this space but also, after it had received the award, they were proud of it. And, for a designer, this is the greatest compliment.
The project was implemented only by the housing community, which did not receive any external funding. This is a completely grassroots initiative, to which I was invited as a designer, but also as a facilitator of the entire four-year process
The process required technical, design and landscape knowledge. The knowledge of carrying out such processes was also extremely important. Due to the low budget (the project was implemented entirely from the residents' budget), it was not possible to hire external specialists. This is an example where the designer both designs and moderates the project. Then hard and soft skills of designers turn out to be necessary. In my opinion, it is soft skills that designers often lack, which should be strongly included in teaching designers and architects.
To me this project is very special, as it represents the grass-roots initiative and was not in any way inspired by municipal authorities. The inhabitants decided to take care of this space, which, after all, did not belong and still does not belong them. But it really disturbed them that this space was neglected. They decided to invite a designer for this project, and a grass-roots initiative turned into a project which is my favourite project in my entire portfolio. It received an award for the best designed public space in Poland, from among 15 other nominated projects participating in the ”Polish Architecture XXL” contest in the year 2018. After this award, the inhabitants started to care even more for this space. They said that not only did they like to take advantage of this space but also, after it had received the award, they were proud of it. And, for a designer, this is the greatest compliment.
This year (2023), this pocket park also received the "Designed in a humane way - A More Shared City" award from Gazeta Wyborcza, which looks for public spaces implemented with local communities that make the city more liveable.
The attachment refers to a website where residents showed what the space on which the pocket park was built looked like
In view of the grass-roots nature of the project, it was divided into several stages, so that the budget intended for the project could be spread over a period of several years. To begin with, the whole area was cleaned and a bench was built, while in the following years, plants were grown and lighting was installed. Though the project is not big, for reasons related to the budget, its implementation lasted several years.
It is very rare for designers to engage in long-term design for such small projects because they involve designers for a long period of time. Most often, designers implement a project for a specific budget, hand over the project, and move on to the next one. In the case of such projects, it is necessary to involve the designer for a long period - the entire period of the project's development - in this case it was four years
The project was based on the realization of an attractive space for residents with a small implementation budget spread over 4 years. It was very important to divide the project into stages adapted to each budget stage, so that residents could use the square from the very beginning, so in the first year a round bench was created and trees were planted, in the following years grass was planted and square lighting was installed.
What can be transferred to other places is, first of all, the methodology of working on the project - that is, spreading the project over several years, adjusting to the financial capacity of the neighborhood communities, so that they can use these spaces from the start of the project. Communication is also very important, moderating such cooperation with residents and proposing different types of phasing of the project.
But also a transferable element is certainly urban furniture, which is open to different scenarios of use. A picnic can be held on it, during the Neighborhood Days art classes for children and yoga classes for adults were organized on it. But above all, you can use this piece of furniture - like a backyard terrace, but in a public space where there is neighborhood interaction.
The project primarily addresses social, environmental, but also economic challenges.
First, it is a global response to global challenges in local execution in the context of the social aspect. A local, visually attractive common space for residents is a meeting place, organizing neighborhood events. A space that strengthens social ties, which turn out to be a priority in the pandemic and post-pandemic period.
Secondly, the project responds to environmental challenges. A previously paved space has become an enclave of greenery in a small neighborhood. At the very end, a plane tree was planted, which in the future will be a large tree that also provides shade. In turn, the residents themselves take care of the greenery, which also results in involvement and responsibility for the nearby greenery.
Third, the project also responds to economic challenges. It is a search for a new method of carrying out and financing such neighborhood projects. It differs from the standoffish solution, when neighborhood communities spend years collecting a budget for the design and implementation of a space, only to end up commissioning such a project. Here we have a different economic and implementation approach, when the project and its implementation is spread over several years, and the designer becomes a facilitator involved in the project for several years.
