If we acknowledge the importance of everyday, mundane magic created from people’s subjective perspectives, needs, motivations, fears and hopes, we understand that heritage is what people chose to make it. Future Architect is a mediator not only between different stakeholders, but also a mediator of different ways of doing things, of inclusive agency, of highlighting the social relevance of education, of connecting theory and practice, reality and desired futures. Future Architect encourages actions to strengthen a sense of belonging, pride and responsibility. (S)he introduces a debate about ownership, co-production and co-design thus encouraging people to question the role of the built environment in shaping their identity. (S)he is capable to communicate the value of material and immaterial local culture. Future Society thus develops through relationships; it is actively curious, ready to learn, adaptable to change and generous in what it is capable to provide.
Nolli Map of Carrington [Nottingham] with highlighted heritage assets (left) compared to Perceived Map of the same area relative to residents' perception of important landmarks (right).
"Museum of the Present" is a collection of objects that represent the present time of the neighbourhood, and in the future they will become references of the past. They highlight the importance of our everyday actions and routines and question the power of interpretation - who decides what is worth being exhibited?
One of specially designed focus groups, organised as a community consultation session. Co-design needs to be carefully mediated.
Several workshops in three elementary schools (Sneinton, Carrington and West Bridgford) aimed to explore how children identify with places in which they live, and also - how do they perceive the identity of their schools. We have developed two types of interviews - "Discovering your identity" and "Little monuments".
