The first day saw each group thinking of their own city through the collective drawing of a map. This step aimed to understand the way a city can be structured and what type of construction we can, should, and wish to find within it. The cities were divided into 3 types of construction:
- housing (ex: apartments, private houses),
- the activities (ex: bakery, sports stadium, harbor),
- public infrastructures (ex: bridge, city hall, hospital),
Each of these elements was given a color code that guided the organization and understanding of the cities throughout the entirety of the workshop.
The second day was dedicated to the actual making of each construction or intervention within the urban area. The students moved from their 2D plans and drawings into 3D shapes by creating volumes out of cardboard. These volumes were placed according to the plan previously drawn.
The third day focused on applying the color code to each building or infrastructure previously built. This simple division of the metropolis helped organize discussions and reflections between the students over the newly constructed cities. It also allowed for an intuitive understanding of the subdivisions implemented in the city.
During the 4th day, each group of students recorded a soundscape related to their cities and the infrastructures within it. This sound intervention introduced the students to basic foley recording techniques and depicted life in their city. This final addition allowed students to inhabit the cities they built with their own sounds and sonic expressions.
Many thanks to:
OBS Het Landje and all the teachers who trusted us and helped bring this workshop to life.
The students and their genuine involvement in building these unique cities.
Our intern at the time, Meta Scholtens who provided great help in structuring the activities.
Het Nieuwe Instituut for hosting and presenting the results of this research.
