SPACEMAKERS

Spacemakers is a public space design project for young people between the ages of 13 and 15 in the Hartcliffe and Withywood area of Bristol.The focus of the project was very much on young people taking the initiative for the project and, in many circumstances taking a management role in many of the outcomes expected from the project.The Spacemakers project was supported by The Architecture Centre, The Glasshouse Trust, Bristol City Council and Hartcliffe Community Campus and two local artists.

The project began in September 2002. The initial phase of the project concentrated on education and training. The young Spacemakers were introduced to many issues relating to the design and use of public buildings. This was achieved through a series of visits and practical workshops with a strong emphasis on enjoyment whilst learning. After an initial visit to the centre of Bristol to view the harbourside and public spaces, as well buildings, the Spacemakers started the project in earnest with a three day residential visit to Trafford Hall, the national tenant’s resource centre in Manchester. They took part in a specially designed course relating to the design of public spaces.

Spacemakers took part in a variety of site visits and workshops to Glasgow, London, Westonbirt Arboretum and Cornwall and were ultimately responsible for decisions made on location. Culmination of this phase was a visit to Holland where Spacemakers were able to experience work by public artists, communities and architects in the design of public spaces. The Spacemakers, armed with the knowledge gained from workshops and study visits, were able to view the work in an intelligible and educated way. With this overall understanding of the broader issues relating to the design of public space the focus of the project then turned to the locality of Hartcliffe and Withywood.

Through a series of historical and social mapping workshops the Spacemakers identified a site within the area as a public space for use by the whole community. With the site identified and knowledge in hand the Spacemakers set about designing a public space for the community. This involved Spacemakers briefing architects, landscape consultants and other professionals. The conclusion to the project was the onsite construction of the design project by a nominated contractor.

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