Carnival at the Boundaries

I recently had the great privilege of attending and speaking at the inaugural public event for the Complex Design Collaborations Research Group, hosted by the University of the Arts London. Held in the elegant Banqueting Hall at Chelsea College of Arts, the event, titled “Carnival at the Boundaries,” was a thought-provoking convergence of minds centred around the challenges of complex design collaborations.

The focus of the seminar was to explore how diverse fields, such as climate, health, public space, community, and social innovation, navigate the intricacies of collaborative design work. This was encapsulated in the provocative question: “but what if we can’t?” It was an honour to be part of such a dynamic panel of speakers, which included distinguished academics like Joe Langley from Sheffield Hallam University, Liz Richardson from the University of Manchester, and Hena Ali from the London College of Communication.

My presentation delved into my research on co-design and participatory architecture, discussing challenges on how to (re)activate individuals in the transformation of their surroundings and the collective sense of agency that arises from these participatory processes. It was stimulating to unpack these ideas alongside esteemed colleagues and to hear their perspectives on applying design and co-design practices across different contexts and fields of knowledge.

The seminar format included short presentations followed by a lively panel discussion, encouraging audience interaction and surfacing insights on the potential and limitations of collaborative efforts in our respective fields. These discussions were enriching and highlighted the shared challenges we face, as well as the innovative solutions that can arise from collaborative efforts.

The event concluded with a networking session, allowing us to extend the conversation informally over drinks. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with other researchers and practitioners, exchange ideas, and lay the groundwork for future collaborations.

I am grateful to Rosie Hornbuckle and Dr Niki Wallace for organising such a significant event and inviting me to be a part of it. Events like “Carnival at the Boundaries” are crucial in pushing the boundaries of how we think about and implement design collaborations. As we move forward, I am excited to see how the insights gained during this event will influence future projects and drive innovation across fields.

For those interested in exploring the complexities of collaborative design further, the discussions from the event are sure to spark inspiration and highlight the immense possibilities that lie within cross-disciplinary partnerships.