Reuse as Readymade
Collaborators:
Robbe Pacqueé
Location:
University of Antwerp, SAAMO Dinamo, Antwerp
Participants:
University students (25)
Stakeholder engagement:
Residents of the neighborhood
Duration: 5 days
This design-build course challenged students to develop a broader understanding of value, including the social and environmental value existing materials hold.
On a conceptual level, the workshop focused on three themes:
(1) How do we assign value to the materials, products, and buildings around us? We’ll explore the influence of time, culture, memory, and ownership. We’ll identify the limits of current value systems and explore alternatives through critical theory.
(2) How do these values shift when we reuse existing parts of our environment? Connecting values over time, we’ll explore concepts such as spolia, and the as found.
(3) How could a more holistic understanding of value change the way we design?
On a physical level, the workshop was a mix of radical conceptual exercises and working hands-on with reclaimed materials. Students were tasked with creating a series of functional products for a community garden at SAAMO DINAMO, a community center in a neighborhood of Antwerp experiencing widespread gentrification. The workshop involved direct collaboration with community members at all points of project realization.
This was taught as a course for International Design Week at the University of Antwerp.
During the workshop, several students were tasked with documentation. Their efforts resulted in the following video detailing the process:
Student testimonial from the workshop:
“I thoroughly enjoyed participating in the Reuse as Readymade workshop as Part of the International Design Workshops Week in Antwerp. The atmosphere was fantastic, and during the intense design phase Juliana gave fast and constructive feedback, which greatly improved our process. She dedicated lots of her time to each group, ensuring that everyone could make the most of the experience. I gained valuable insights that extended beyond the workshop, particularly in terms of working with re-used materials. The design tips and reviews were incredibly helpful during the practical construction phase. Overall, I appreciated the comprehensive approach, from material sourcing to design and actual building. I've never experienced such an enriching and complete project before.”
-Kalle List, TUM Architecture
