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CONCRETE DESIGNS TO THRIVE
can we build in wellbeing?
Welcome to this rolling series of creative events exploring urban design for well-being, collaborating to develop and deliver new Walks, a series of Twilight Talks and an evolving Exhibition across art, design and industry.
June 2021: a walk on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, collaborating with design experts and enthusiasts
June 2023: a walk in Glasgow Green, developed and delivered by those with experience of homelessness
June 2024: exhibitions, talk, walks, and workshops in and around The Briggait, Glasgow
How can we build in well-being so all of us can thrive?
Introduction
Concrete is our material focus for this exploration of urban design and well-being.
From the minute to the monumental, concrete is the basis for a huge array of urban interventions across art, design and industry, forming the structural warp to a cultural weft of people, places and activities.
By Leaves we Live
CDT is underpinned by reflection on the work of pioneering Scottish botanist and town planner, Patrick Geddes.
As a generalist, Geddes worked 'across silos' to engage with Creative Allies from science and the arts; his Outlook Tower offered a culture hub for exploring ideas, his Summer Schools brought like minds together and his itinerant Cities and Town Planning Exhibition offered a means to disseminate his work.
In addition, four approaches adopted by Geddes find focus in our CDT programme:
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civic co-design: understanding local landscape and culture through direct engagement with community
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'conservative surgery’: retrofit rather than the wrecking ball, a regenerative appraisal of what might work best
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the power of nature: biophiliic design, with provision of urban green space and in choice of materials
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internationalism: an enthusiastic embrace of opportunities to debate and exchange beyond borders
Themes and Variations
Bringing more manageable focus to the broad landscape of urban design, CDT draws on eight essential acts of life:
MEET, HEAL, PRAY, LEARN, NEST, VOTE, WORK and PLAY. As we tour on from Glasgow, we explore different urban landscapes and enable diverse creative energies, giving voice to the local en route.
Is it a CON?
As evidence grows of the intimate link between individual, community and planetary health, there is a clear tension in referring to Concrete in relation to well-being. Across the globe, concrete is the most utilised material on the planet after water, contributing to 8% of global CO2 emissions; in Scotland, 40% of landfill derives from construction.
As law makers and regulators seek to guide and cajole, designers confront the heavy carbon footprint of this ubiquitous material with innovative approaches to method and material.
Image Building
Scotland’s photo-maestros have created a stunning archive of the country's urban landscapes, in particular through imaging the post-war rise (and fall) of archetypal concrete structures. CDT draws inspiration, collaborating with local photographers and creatives to build smartphone archives and a series of zine CDT's on our Walks by Design.
City Linking
As the programme unfolds, we stretch our journeys beyond borders, inviting creatives from allied cities around the world to foster new international collaborations.
We hope you enjoy this ambitious programme, and will journey with us as it unfolds.
Launching Concrete Designs to Thrive in Glasgow 2023
Part of Scotland's Architecture Fringe 2023, in collaboration Anais Paulard of Scotland's Best Visits and social enterprise Invisible Cities.
We launched on the ground and in-person with a new Walk by Design and the latest in our series of Twilight Talks.
Celebrating one of Glasgow's favourite parks, our Glasgow Green and Grey Walk was co-designed and delivered by four people with experience of homelessness, with support from super-talented tour guide Anais Poulard.
The impressive team at Invisible Cities provided a safe space for several formative chats before we stepped out into Glasgow Green, to map, photograph and deliver our new Walk.
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Invisible Cities Mapping project April 2023
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Photography workshops May 2023
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Glasgow Green & Grey Walks June 2023
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Twilight Talk: Co-Design for Well-Being June 2023
This year, in the second of our three visits to Glasgow, will build on our Glasgow Green and Grey Walk, offering participants the chance to capture smart phone images and workshop to create our CDT Zines.
Developing Concrete Designs to Thrive in Edinburgh 2021
Part of Scotland's Architecture Fringe 2021, in collaboration with The Patrick Geddes Centre, Scottish Historic Buildings Trust. Themes and objectives emerged along a Walk by Design in Edinburgh, with local design experts and enthusiasts. Still in the wake of the pandemic, our thanks to Cro + Kow for safely capturing such engaging footage on the go.
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VOTE - about legislation and biodiversity
You can check out our seven stops on the route below, each film around 20 minutes in duration, and read adapted transcripts by clicking the related links.
Our full archive of Walks by Design and Creative Encounters can be viewed on Journeys in Design YouTube channel.
MEET
A Walk and Talk with Emma Olver of Scottish Historic Buildings Trust
from Camera Obscura to Riddles Court
discussing design legacies and Sir Patrick Geddes
In the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, the pair discuss the work and legacy of the Scottish internationalist Sir Patrick Geddes, town planner and polymath. We walk from his Outlook Tower, at the top of Castle Hill, passing the tenement where he and his family made their home, through into Riddles Court and the Patrick Geddes Centre. We reflect on the contemporary power of the Geddes legacy.
The design legacy of Sir Patrick Geddes runs throughout Concrete Design to Thrive. This encounter also introduces the theme of MEET, exploring Culture Hubs, Cafes and City Squares.
Click on the screen below or open up our Journeys in Design YouTube channel.
Click here to read the full adapted text of this conversation about Patrick Geddes
LEARN
A Walk and Talk with Fran Baseby of University of Edinburgh Special Collections.
from George Square to Edinburgh Uni Library
discussing design archives and Basil Spence
We take in leafy views of George Square and the nearby Meadows as we walk around by the main library of University of Edinburgh, designed by Scottish architect Basil Spence and partners. We discuss what works about the building in context and reflect on textile links from Edinburgh to Spence’ Coventry Cathedral. The pair discuss how the work of the special collections’ archivist is evolving and how archives can enliven the story of design.
The place of design archives forms an important part of our Concrete Designs to Thrive. This encounter also introduces the theme of LEARN, exploring Libraries and Campuses.
Click on the screen below or open up our Journeys in Design YouTube channel.
NEST
A Walk and Talk with Ed and Paul, Edinburgh residents and design activists
0ff the High street in Edinburgh's Old Town
discussing garden design, community and regeneration
In the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, we move from an original Patrick Geddes small town garden into a verdant oasis created by Ed and Paul from the tarmac back yard of their tenement. We discuss the nature of neighbourhood and how shared garden spaces can unite and engage. The pair discuss the work involved in creating their new garden including the canny reuse of tarmac slabs and the packing of new dividing wall, all examples of zero waste and circular design. Regenerative design principles are at work too, a new garden space increasing local biodiversity for the greater good.
The realities of zero waste, circular and regenerative design, are all core to our Concrete Designs to Thrive. This encounter also introduces the theme of NEST, exploring Homes and Neighbourhoods.
Click on the screen below or open up our Journeys in Design YouTube channel.
Click for the full adapted text of this conversation about Regenerative Garden Design
PRAY
A Walk and Talk with Joanna Kessel, Mosaic Artist
down from the High Street onto St John Street
discussing art in urban design and the spiritual
A Walk and Talk with Joanna Kessel, mosaic artist. Continuing down the Royal Mile in Scotland’s capital, the conversation highlights the impact of art in the public realm as a focus for a mindful pause in the busy urban environment. Walking through the recently landscaped area of Old Moray House, John introduces Joanna and continues to the campus of new Moray House Department of Education, University of Edinburgh. The pair settle on a striking set of concrete relief sculptures and tell the story of their creation.
Materiality across art design and industry helps define our Concrete Designs to Thrive. This encounter also introduces the theme of PRAY, exploring sanctuary and the mindful pause in our urban landscapes.
Click on the screen below or open up our Journeys in Design YouTube channel.
Click here to read the full adapted text of this interview with Joanna Kessel
HEAL
A Walk and Talk with Ruthanne Baxter, Prescribe Culture lead at University of Edinburgh.
from the Scottish Poetry Library to Dunbar's Close
discussing designs on prescription
John Ennis, Journeys in Design, introduces Ruthanne Baxter, Museums Services Manager University of Edinburgh and lead of the Prescribe Culture project. Starting alongside the Scottish Poetry Library, Ruthanne describes this social prescribing initiative, a heritage-based non-clinical support service, offering visits to culture hubs throughout Edinburgh. Walking across a busy High Street at the Canongate, the pair discuss research into student welfare, concluding their discussion outside one of Patrick Geddes’ conserved garden spaces, the hidden gem called Dunbar’s Close.
The potential for urban design to enhance health is a core motivator underlying our Concrete Designs to Thrive.
The encounter also introduces the theme of HEAL, exploring building for Health and Well-Being.
Click on the screen below or open up our Journeys in Design YouTube channel.
Click here to read the full adapted text of this interview with Ruthanne Baxter
PLAY
A Walk and Talk with Kate Foggo, Jog Scotland local lead of LGBTQ running club, Frontrunners.
From Dumbiedykes to the Crags
discussing designs on recreation
John Ennis, curator producer Journeys in Design, tells the story of the redeveloped Dumbiedykes area of Edinburgh’s Old Town, while strolling through the nearby ‘green corridor’. Meeting with Kate Foggo in front of the mighty Salisbury Crags and a local skatepark, the pair discuss the Frontrunners community approach to exercise in the urban landscape, referencing ‘Couch to 5k’, Jog Scotland and international partners. Jog on!
Play is part of how we learn and thrive, for many, so often sited in urban green spaces, important components of part of our Concrete Designs to Thrive. This encounter also introduces the theme of PLAY, about Pavilions and Parklands.
Click on the screen below or open up our Journeys in Design YouTube channel.
VOTE
A Walk and Talk with Dr Peter Wilkie, Senior Researcher and Botanist at Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh.
from Holyrood Palace gardens to the Scottish Parliament building and landscape
discussing design, concrete, and biodiversity
Walking from the re-established Physic Garden and original site for the Botanic Gardens, we trace Peter’s career journey through Scotland and beyond. The pair walk in the managed landscape beside the Scottish Parliament, exploring the nature of concrete and limestone mining. Peter alerts us to the environmental impact, with loss of biodiverse landscape in Southeast Asia, while making the link between local biodiversity and legislation passing through the Scottish Parliament.
The significance of material choices in the face of climate change is a core component of Concrete Designs to Thrive. This encounter also introduces the theme of VOTE, exploring Parliaments and City Chambers.
Click on the screen below or open up our Journeys in Design YouTube channel.