Open code urban furniture

OPEN CODE URBAN FURNITURE A construction set adaptive to the needs of different neighbourhoods.

Instrumental in arranging multifunctional spaces and helpful in developing local social networks through cooperative actions.

This is a short instructions guide to co-design workshops.

Explore the possibilities which every set provides. Arrange a co-design workshop with people from your neighbourhood.

Develop a configuration you enjoy and turn empty spaces into places for sharing (ideas, actions, emotions, items and time).

PROPOSED SET OF DETAILS The concrete blocks are optional. To make wooden blocks steal-proof and stable, stones or bricks can be put inside the wooden blocks.

3-4 WOODEN DETAILS open for many scenarios: • sitting, planting, keeping and sharing things • playing, arranging neighbours' picnics, etc.

3 CONCRETE CUBES (40x40 cm) • hollow - for planting • solid

FIND YOUR OWN CONFIGURATION

CHOOSE THE COLOURS

• black

• non-laminated - for colouring

• white

• concrete details - concrete colour

Use waterproof paint for outdoors for sustainable result.

Propose the participants of co-design workshops to choose the colours as the urban furniture contibutes to the representation of the neighbourhood.

1

Neighbourhood, location: Antakalnis, Sapieg킬 park Co-designers: Vilnius Urban Farm & Antakalnis community Co-facilitator: Mindaugaus Danys

A place with seedbeds and greenhouse on the territory of the historical park is managed by the Urban farm community. This area is remote from the central entrance which results in a reduced number of accidental passers-by. The community is active in promoting urban farming activities and arranging events so there is a strong need for placemaking tools.

Developed configuration: it was important to reserve a possibility to arrange various configurations of the furniture set for the events. Mostly the furniture was supposed to be used as mobile tables for picnics, celebrations and eco-markets. One wooden block was attached to the concrete cube, and one drawer was installed.

2

Neighbourhood, location: Šnipiškės, Dragon‘s field Co-designers: Residents of the wooden Šnipiškės

A field between the skyscrapers and the wooden houses of 19 cen. was developed as a public space by arranging community events. There was a need for sustainable design solution to create the conditions for the locals to come to this place, stay there and meet other people, without special occasions. Also, a playground was missing in this neighbourhood.

Solution: a new place for gatherings would attract all kinds of users, therefore a vandal-proof solution was preferable. Wooden blocks were attached to the concrete cubes. The base of the blocks covered with bitumen to preserve the furniture from humidity. One of the blocks was turned into a chessboard and the drawer was reserved for checkers.

Later, a swing and sport facilities were installed next to the urban furniture set.

3

Neighbourhood: Lazdynai Co-designers: „Jonažolių kaimas“ community Co-facilitator: Giedrė Pilipavičienė

A park in the neighbourhood is a place where young parents with small children go for a walk. A tradition of collective celebrations is strong in the local community and there was a need for a place for events and gatherings. A co-design workshop took place just next to the entrance to the park.

Developed configuration: the blocks were attached to concrete cubes, making furniture more steal-proof and vandal-proof. The base of each block was covered with bitumen. A drawer was installed. The furniture set was extended by including a wooden cable reel as a table. The furniture was decorated with herbs and flowers and the plants around newly arranged place were planted.

4

Neighbourhood: ĹĄv. Stepono str.

Co-designers: Local residents Co-facilitator: Vytautas Taujanskas

A secret place in the heart of the quarter is a shortcut for the local residents to get to their streets. However, people barely recognize each other. A green hill surrounded by the buildings of different periods is suitable for neighbours’ picnics, but it does not function as a place for the social contacts, though a new playground is arranged there.

Configuration: two wooden blocks were attached to a concrete cube, one block was left as a mobile module. The drawer was not installed, as the residents were not sure about the items the passers-by are going to leave there. After the workshop, the place was monitored. The detail without the concrete cube remained safe, while concrete cubes provoked anonymous users to detach them from the cubes.

CONCRETE CUBE This heavy element helps to anchor the wooden parts and make urban furniture steal-proof. Concrete cubes are made on a base of the plywood form (40x40) which should be covered with oil from the inside. The cubes are reinforced with metal bars inside. To make concrete cubes movable, before pouring concrete in to the form, pipes for holes should be placed in the form. Joints for attachment with the wooden parts should be moulded in to the concrete. After 24 hours, the concrete gets solid and you can release the block from the wooden form.

For more information contact: laimikis@laimikis.lt

4 TYPES OF BLOCKS This Tetris based block is a basic for many combinations with variety of functions for social events: sitting places, tables, modules for playgrounds. 40x40 cm module blocks provide comfortable conditions for human body.

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PLYWOOD SCHEME In order to have rigid and lightweight furniture, blocks are made of 15 mm thick impregnated plywood. Cut the pieces as it is shown in the scheme.

For construction method look at the details on the right side of this page.

DRAWER Sharing is an important social function of this urban furniture. The drawer expands the functions of furniture, opening new possibilities for exchange and storage. The drawer can be installed in any of the blocks. To have this box safe, we recommend you to tighten the piece with rope or cable to the inner partition of the block.

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Connect the details from the inside using the screws.

Close the box and screw-up from outside.

Attach to the concrete cube before closing the block.

Don’t forget to round the corners!

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DETAIL 1 DETAIL 1 DETAIL 3 DETAIL 3

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Open Code Urban Furniture is a result of co-design workshops in Vilnius (Lithuania) which brought together participatory development facilitators, designers, active residents and the local administration for cooperative development of the public / community spaces in the neighbourhoods.

Arranged in a number of neighbourhoods with different characteristics, these furniture sets may serve as a research tool for measuring the level of responsibility, safety and trust in the neighbourhoods. The inclusion of the drawers and steal-proof concrete-cubes into a furniture set is an indicator of the safety and openness of the public spaces. More info: http://laimikis.lt Concept: Jekaterina Lavrinec; Design and construction: Aurimas Zdanevičius, Julius Narkūnas, Mindaugas Grigelionis in cooperation with Rūta Jakštaitė, Michail Vereško, Vincentas Vienožinskis, Vaiva Braškutė, Nerijus Misius, and Marius Glebus. Photo: Justina Gedvilaitė (Kamera).

Developed by:

In cooperation with:

The research undertaken to develop this idea was supported by the European Cultural Foundation.

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