#demokracity

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 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

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. 

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.