So, as part of Kamideas, Rowan, Amin and I have been occupying 'SPACE', a really exciting and new concept of a creative space. What started off an an empty white space is progressively becoming filled with donated and found furniture and creative inspiration.
We started our project like any project should be, site analysis...but this is no ordinary site analysis! So far we've looked at;history of Pruitt Igoe, History of St. Louis, politics, economics, community development plans, population demographics, density, income, foreclosures, homelessness, urban farms, food industry, monsanto, modernist ideals, why Pruitt Igoe failed, and so so so much more, sitting infront of me is a 301 5 year consolidated plan for St. Louis...
I t cannot be denied that Pruitt Igoe, and St. Louis have a rich history steeped in race and culture. I'm starting to feel like there is little we don't know collectively about Pruitt Igoe and St. Louis, however there is only so much you can learn about a place through google. To get a real feel for the place and its people you have to meet and talk to them and their communities.
Over the past two days Rowan and I have been emailing past residents, community based non-profits, homeles shelters and the dreaded commercial developers. We are currently waiting for responses and hopefully to organise a few video conferences to get an indepth feeling for what is needed in the area.
Between the three of us there is a palpable excitment for the possibilites for something huge, yet simple. Even when not allowing yourself to dream up ideas, it is impossible not to blurt out a few, and our policy of a structured site analysis then design is becoming frayed! One theme that seems to be a reoccuring one is that of urban farming, education, training, providing for the homeless and creating an idea that will have a knock on effect to the rest of St. Louis...and the world!
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