CIVIC SQUARE is a visionary organisation, reimagining civic infrastructure for the 21st century, supporting community-led transitions in climate, economy, and social equity. Their 3 Degrees Neighbourhood initiative envisions local areas as joyful, proactive agents in climate action.
It is a privilege to have been brought on board as long term partners to enable local young people to be part of both the creation of the Neighbourhood Public Square and the neighbourhood retrofit journey.
Neighbourhood Futures: Site Takeover
What does a neighbourhood look and feel like when it is shaped by the young people growing up there?
In summer 2025 we collaborated with a group of 10–16 year olds on a 3-day creative build to support them to shape the new civic hub as a space for connection, creativity and community at the Neighbourhood Public Square.
Key activities included:
-
Designing and building community structures
-
Experimenting with reused materials
-
Learning various construction methods
-
Exploring ideas for a brighter, healthier neighbourhood
The 3 day summer school resulted in beautiful work benches, art hubs, ice cream & candy carts. On the final day the young people hosted a ‘big reveal’ celebration to their friends and families.
Design & Construction Club
Building on the momentum of the Site Takeover, autumn 2025 saw the kick-off of the Design and Construction Club. The club is a group of young people aged 11 to 16 who meet with us and CIVIC SQUARE monthly to design and build at various scales. Their ideas and outputs dovetail with the wider design team, including Material Cultures and Architecture 00. Collectively they are transforming the Neighbourhood Public Square and adjacent sites such as Link Road into joyful, proactive agents of change in climate action and social equity.
We are truly excited to see where this partnership goes, exploring the future of design and construction teaching and learning.
Image credit: Angela Grabowska
