In Between Workshops

Why the focus on customization? Is it to increase versatility of use, or to broaden target audience? 

Over a period of 6 weeks, Team Oldies has collaborated with both design professionals, anthropologist, graphic specialists, and end users for this social innovation project. We have developed skills and understanding of CO-CREATION by working closely with the user group. Throughout this process, 

We have transpired a social initiative that will continue to be developed and carried out by the local seniors. It has been a rewarding experience for each member of the team to interact and to work together.

Senior Liv "Starter Kit"

To ensure that seniors in Tilst would have the necessary tools to continue the practice of Senior Liv initiative, Team Oldies has prepared a 'Starter-Kit' to support them in various organizational aspects. 

The starter kit encompasses both digital and physical documents- such as advertisements and introduction booklet of Senior Liv, available for distribution, Senior Liv business cards, promotional announcement template for editing, graphic identity files, and a step-by-step guide on how to edit the Senior Liv website. 

To offically deliver our design to the community, Team Oldies met up with the two senior representatives, Birte Giedekier and Bjørn Rasmussen, for a presentation on SENIOR LIV and TILST WALK. Because they are extremely active and respected in their community, and have been involved extensively throughout the design process, we believe they bring great potential to the organization.

The presentation details the tools provided by the team that would equipt seniors to continually manage the SENIOR LIV organization beyond our project. 

Birte and Bjørn’s approval and involvement provides us with a validation that ensures the design will be applicable in practice.

Tilst Senior Liv

In addition to development of the SENIOR LIV website, Team Oldies have devised a list of organizational values and approaches to community involvement for the senior residents to carry out in the future. We aim to provide the seniors with a positive and open attitude to embark on this initiative.

VALUES

• We value INCLUSION. Everyone is invited to our shared table for their ideas and opinions on how we can better seniors’ lifestyle in Tilst. Residents are welcomed to join our regular meetings or simply send feedback to our designated mailbox. 

• We value COMMUNICATION. Together, we’re reaching out to our local communities – in activity organizations, small-scale gatherings, and community centre events to better coordinate social events for all.

• We value GENEROSITY. We believe that everyone has something to give, and if we all give what we can – we can make a big impact. We invite everyone to share their ideas, their time, and their money.

• We value TEAMWORK. We create opportunities for local residents and volunteers to share their skills, ideas, and build.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

• Committee meetings to discuss collective calendar planning between local centres (activity coordination & sports club event planning, knowledge sharing, and etc.)

• Seasonal Welcoming and introduction to Tilst senior community- TILST WALK, introductory tour of community centres (Havkær, Sognegården, TST), “Buddy System” for new comers 

• Committee follow up & assessment of existing social infrastructure and community programs 

• “Well-being” report- an annual survey throughout Tilst community to receive feedback, suggestions, and new ideas for social initiatives

Yellow everywhere- Markørs 

The physical markers used to identify the specific stops throughout TILST WALK encompasses a collection of 36 chairs in total. 

An ensemble of three chairs are placed at each designation, with an introductions on the TILST WALK and specific spot itself, whether it be history, current use, or community information. 

Team Oldies have collected the chairs by sourcing through local second-hand furniture network, and scavenging through Aarhus neighbourhoods. Each chair is painted in the iconic yellow resembling the brand identity, and presented with the SENIOR LIV logo.

TILST WALK

Derived from the senior community’s knowledge and lifestyle representation, TILST WALK is a manifestation of seniors’ presence and their active participation of the local community. 

The ‘TILST WALK’ is a walking route which CELEBRATES specific locations in Tilst of cultural, social, or geographical significance. Featuring markørs throughout the path, visitors are invited to experience Tilst in a different light, 

hence to encourage each other for new interactions and social gatherings.

Design and architectural benefits of TILST WALK is incorporated through the process of CO-CREATION and SITE-SPECIFIC design installations. We aim to advocate and to promote historical and present identities of Tilst by giving the visitors (and the locals) a chance to experience the city in a new way.

What our team hopes to provide is not merely a temporary architectural spectacle, but a holistic approach for a community initiative that can be continuously practiced by the local residents beyond this project. 

It will serve to become the active lifestyle bridging factor between different demographics in Tilst. 

In order to ensure the TILST WALK is thoroughly planned and implemented, the team will also provide promotional package and pamphlets which introduce the TILST WALK and SENIOR LIV as the supporting body of this community initiative. 

The map on right showcases the 12 designated spots on TILST WALK:

1. TST ACTIVITY CENTRE

2. LANGKÆR GYMNASIUM

3. GENVEJEN

4. “PAS PA!”- KRYDSET

5. GADEKÆRET

6. SOGNEGÅRDEN

7. HAVKÆR CENTRE

8. DEN GRØNNE LOMME

9. BYPARKEN

10. KOLONIHAVERNE

11. LANGKÆRPARKEN

Idea Workshop

To ensure we stay true to the co-creation design process, the team gathered 30 senior residents for a second workshop. By utilizing the local network and key contacts we have established over the last few weeks, the participants included are local seniors familiar with all three social activity centres in Tilst (Havkær, Sognegården, TST), and have in-depth knowledge of the Tilst history and social communities. 

The workshop began with a welcome game, inviting each participant to introduce themselves and their favourite public place in Tilst to each other. Each group is then asked to discuss and present their collective visions of Tilst. 

For inspiration, designer Mitten Ferrera from DemokraCity delivered a concise talk to invite participants to rethink how they can connect with each other, both inside and outside of the senior community. By listing examples from the global community, Ferrera encouraged participants to engage in community initiatives and develop positive synergy for all.

Part I

In Exercise 1, participants were asked to discuss with their group and present their collective visions for Tilst. Using each table as a group, the seniors took turns and presented to each other of their visions- more specifically, what they hope to accomplish collectively as a community. 

While many participants brought up ideas of more regular community gatherings, many also wished to reach out to other demographics in Tilst. Some suggested more communications among organizations, while others recommended eating clubs, social initiatives with youngsters, and etc. 

It was a pleasant discovery to find that all participants have high motivation and were very enthusiastic about contributing to the common good. It appeared that most residents were already aware of the fragmented nature of the community, however, up until now they had little means to develop a strategy to better the situation. 

Part II

To develop physical ‘markers’ to advocate our community initiative, we asked all participants to map out their skills, from baking, sewing, knitting, to any specialized craftsmanship. This way, our team would be able to utilize their help in realizing the project.

In the second exercise, participants were asked to brainstorm possible community projects that can be physically built throughout Tilst using their existing skills. The key focus was to encourage participants to re-think their existing environments in a different light, and to inspire for ideas of public installations.

Starting with a collection of inspirational urban guerilla projects, the team presented ideas that utilize various design elements, such as colours, scale, materials, and humour. For many participants, seeing real life examples of urban design initiatives were helpful in visualizing possible implementations in their own neighbourhoods.

While many visual elements are elaborate and delivered with good intentions, we aim to define the basic language behind each visual element. This way, we can ensure that motivation and message of the design is correctly presented.

Some of the repeating motifs given from seniors are: HOLDING HANDS for collaboration, HEARTS for love, representative colours from community centres, and the SUN for liveliness. Many senior residents bring forward the idea of public resting spots or landmarks that can be used to raise awareness. It is important to them that the outcomes of such “markers” can allow them to stay close with nature. 

Workshop Prep

The team is now preparing every aspect of the upcoming workshop this Wednesday. We have invited approximately 30 seniors in Tilst and Demokracity to join us at the gymnasium for an evening of ideas.

In order to create a community “markør” that speaks of our project focus in Tilst, we believe that the only valid approach is by involving the local senior residents throughout this process. Hence, the team has arranged a short inspiration lecture (to be delivered by Mitten from Demokracity), two idea exercises, and brainstorm sessions for the workshop to be carried out on Wednesday evening. 

In order to ensure we are able to execute the workshop agenda on time, and on target, we are rehearsing and preparing the presentation slides down to every detail. Each team member is responsible for duties in different areas, including documentation, presentation delivery, participant guidance, encouragement, timing, and etc. 

For the Idea Workshop, Team Oldies has gathered over 30 senior residents with the help of community key contacts (Jytte, Birte, and Inga). During the 3-hour gathering, participants are asked to take part in group exercises, discussions, and brainstorm sessions regarding their visions for Tilst. 

While the workshop provides opportunity for the team to CO-CREATE with actual stake-holders and ened-users, it also FACILITATES collaboration and communication among residents themselves. It allows individuals to speak openly and freely about their ideas for the community.

Instead of deriving a new design concept behind closed doors, the idea workshop helps us identify visual language and directions from senior residents directly. Through their input in the collaborative design process, our decisions are validated for both applicability and practicality. 

The Idea Workshop goals are listed as follows:

• To reach out to large number of senior residents by uniting network     resources of community key personnels. 

• To identify common goals & visions shared by senior residents

• To inspire senior residents to COLLABORATE and work together within their community for a common purpose

In the Monday meeting with Demokracity, we presented the upcoming Wednesday workshop program in details. Knowing that there's very limited time left for this project, we were reminded of the importance of a physical 'markør' by the Demokracity team. Jes noted that it is crucial to utilize our skills as architects to visualize and create a physical marker that can be well-documented as well as executed.