Cities | Test Unit - Prototyping Public Space

A discussion on prototyping ideas in public space and how to generate change through action.

Santiago Cirugeda, Recetas Urbanas (Spain)
From systematic occupations of public space with containers to the construction of 'prosthetics' that are placed onto facades, spaces and vacant sites, Santiago's work is always negotiating between the legal and illegal - remembering the enormous control which we are put under.
Santiago's work includes delivering architecture projects, writing and participating in different educational and cultural models; teaching, workshops, exhibitions and debates. Santiago founded Recetas Urbanas in 2004.

Kristian Koreman, ZUS (Rotterdam)
The duo Van Boxel and Koreman and their office ZUS are working on solicited and unsolicited design and research in the field of architecture, urbanism and landscape design. With a strong belief that an architect has to claim a strong position in the pub- lic debate on the future of our cities, van Boxel and Koreman see a large share of their pro-active work as urban politics.

A typical result of their proactive and award-winning working method is the Test Site Rotterdam. As an ignition ZUS turned a vacant office block in the middle of Rotterdam into an urban laboratory. Now known as the Schieblock, it’s penetrated by a 390 metre wooden pedestrian bridge, the Luchtsingel, that reconnects separated parts of the fragmented city center of Rotterdam. It serves as a backbone for the development of a series of new public spaces. The pedestrian bridge was partially crowdfunded, and it also received an investment through the Rotterdam City Initiative 2012 for the development of the bridge.

The event has been organised by Taktal, who have kindly agreed for it to be included as part of CCA Cities programme.
Supported by Film Hub Scotland, part of the BFI’s Film Audience Network