Transition-Scapes is a research project that explores the design of interactive (exhibition) formats that depict and represent future spacial scenarios around the (energy) transition and their civic implications. It follows a research-through-design process where a prototype is developed for the Huis van de Toekomst in Bospolder-Tussendijken in Rotterdam. Linda Vlassenrood is curator and lead researcher in the project.
The second workshop in this process took place on 24 and 25 of April on location at Huis van de Toekomst. The goal of the workshop was to sketch two concepts for a Transition-Scape prototype that will be further developed and eventually tested.
During the workshop we worked collectively (1) to understand better the spaces currently available at the J.J.P. Oud block and the initiatives they host, (2) to establish an alternative value system and try to model it, (3) to discuss the possible connections between the model and the reality and finally (4) to explore whether the Transition-Scape is mainly about an experience or about the modeling visualisation. The first day concluded with the presentations of the rapid prototyping exercises carried out by the students of the Master Digital Design, providing inspiration on aspects of community forming, sharing and exchange, activating public spaces through collaboration and creative ways of engaging with utility corporations.
Building up on the visualization and interchangeability of the four values identified in the first workshop, uur (for time), huur (for rent / money), buur (for neighborliness), and vuur (for individual happiness), we identified two main directions that the Transition-Scape could follow. The first one is as a tool for community forming, where citizens themselves understand that they can achieve impact with the means they have available, and the second is as a management tool that supports institutions in visualizing and thus acknowledging social and other benefits that are currently hidden from their processes.
Linda Vlassenrood is curator and lead researcher in the project. Transition-Scapes, has been accepted for a RAAK SME grant funded by National Organisation for Applied Research SIA (Regieorgaan SIA ), part of the Dutch Research Council (NOW) and will be developed as a collaboration between AUAS – Civic Interaction Design Research Group , AUAS - Spatial Urban Transformation Research Group , International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam (IABR), Arcam, Het Nieuwe Instituut, UNStudio, Bright, Huis van de Toekomst, One Architecture, Clever Franke, Tellart, Shosho, Gemeente Amsterdam, Alliander, &Flux, Over Morgen, Play the City, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Planbureau voor de Leefomgeving, TU Delft.
