Heterogeneous Indicators
So how do we create heterogeneous public spaces?
There is no formula, rather a state of consciousness where these indicators are practiced throughout the design process. Jenna Wortham of the New York Times, quoted here defines the intention for creating the space for unlearning, for healing and for positive learning that allows for our acceptance of difference in public space.
Frederick Douglass Memorial
Heterogeneity in Practice
Frederick Douglass Memorial in the Roxbury community of Boston is a great example of how this state of consciousness permeated the entire design process - from our acceptance of the other and community defined beauty - and to be clear I am not romanticizing trauma and under-investment as key to redefining beauty what I hope you can see is how this community is capable of creating their own definition of beauty and resilience.
To our intentional focus on creating space for healing by bringing a spoken word artist to establish a common ground and spiritual connection to the community.
Collage by Mel Isidor
Pulse Competition
MASS Design | Sasaki
MASS Design | Sasaki
MASS Design | Sasaki
Embrace of Difference
Landscape heterogeneity also defined our One Pulse Competition, which was an incredible collaboration with MassDesign group, a talented group of designers at Sasaki and national artists, concepts of landscape heterogeneity, permeated every aspect of the design process.
From defining what queering of a space looks and feels like - to embracing intersectionality as a design principle. To creating a series of spaces that enhances the experience of moving through the world in the embrace and celebration of our differences.
Video created by MASS Design with content by Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, Ralph Appelbaum Associates, Sasaki, Sanford Biggers, Richard Blanco, Porsha Olayiwola
To ensuring that ecological systems not only reflect a rich habitat for animals and insects but also connecting community and people to those systems and taking the provinces of the 49 lives lost and identifying their places of origin using plants that portray this multiculturalism
Diagram created by Andrew Sell