Interior design and building process with users of Fisken (The Fish), an after school club for 12-20 year old immigrant boys. Copenhagen, Vesterbro
With concept designer/artist Mette Høj
2006-2007
For a youth club where mainly young immigrant boys come I was invited to refurbish the interior and façade. I suggested using the project as a process with the boys to empower them and be part of changes in their spare time club.
Through a workshop with the staff and individual interviews with the boys we found a gab. The staff had a pedagogical and educational aim for the place whereas the boys just needed a place to hang out. The told us that they do not have the option to take friends home in a casual manner as Danish kids do – so they need a place to be.
We therefore decided to make sure the club is attractive enough and competitive with the street so that the boys come. We therefore carefully design it on the terms of the boys.
Through workshops, where we presented loads of visual inspiration from which the boys picked out all the liked. These ideas we put together into a coherent and functional design.
The boys participate in the planning, design, purchasing, sponsorship and building of the interior.
Overview: PC Room, Playing Room, Kitchen, Smooking Room and Café with 'help for homework' setting
Smooking room during the opening
Smooking room
Playing room - table football and playstation
Kitchen
Facade
Office
PC Room
Playing Room
The Process
Rapport about the project (in Danish)
Click to download pdf.