TU Berlin

The DisOrdinary Architecture Project collaborated with the Diversity and Equality Working Group at The Institute of Architecture (IfA) at the Technical University Berlin to co-design a creative intervention during their annual conference.  The aim of the project was to transform the experience of the daily coffee break into a space for critical reflection that raises awareness about biases in our spatial and educational practice.  

Organised around 4 ‘stations’  which conference participants could choose, and facilitated by working group members, including Jos Boys and a sound recording by Liz Crow, the session offered time to reflect on embodied difference, care, rest as resistance and collectivity.

One of these ‘station’ workshops was based on ‘Characters’ (originally designed by Zoe Partington) which asks people to alter their bodies in humorous and unexpected ways.  Working in pairs, and each with a different character, participants were asked to get themselves a cup of coffee each, to explore the other ‘stations’: and then to reflect on their experiences and write a comment on their cups.  

The day ended with a panel (with Jos as one of the panel members) reviewing both student presentations that had been shown throughout the day, and co-developing ongoing principles for the development of the architecture, landscape and planning courses.