The Community Design Process

Inspired by the civil rights movement, and a passion for design that empowers and serves people, Environmental Works has been practicing community design since 1970.  Through community design, communities with limited resources collaborate in the planning, design, and development of their own communities.

As an example of the community design process in action, we offer a case study of our Brighton Senior Apartments Project in Hillman City, Seattle (2016 – 2019).

THE PROCESS

Creating a Stronger, Healthier Community Through Collaborative Design

SSSF received a grant for exterior improvements, presenting a unique opportunity for this diverse community to come together to create a shared vision for improved public space.

In Spring 2016, Environmental Works met several times with a steering committee of Brighton residents, SSSF’s executive director and board members, and other community members to plan the community design process.

VISIONING MEETINGS

In May and June of 2016, EW held two visioning meetings open to all Brighton residents. Residents shared their best ideas for future upgrades to the Brighton campus.  They also broke into small discussion groups to determine common themes of interest, which included accessibility, fitness, multi-purpose gathering spaces, barbecues/other food-gathering space, space for children, and landscaping.

DESIGN MEETINGS

In July of 2016, EW facilitated a design meeting held in the existing outdoor gathering space to be redesigned.  EW distributed a “kit of parts” we had created based on the prior workshops, so residents could test out various designs.  The kit of parts included site plans; cut-outs of programmatic elements such as a covered barbecue area, a protected bike path, and fitness equipment; and markers.  Participants refined their design ideas through a combination of small-group discussion, and listening to and sharing ideas with the larger group.

At the September 2016 design meeting, EW presented three design schemes based on the residents’ ideas at the July meeting.  Residents once again reviewed and discussed in small groups, and rejoined the larger group to share ideas.  EW will use this input to further refine the schematic design drawings with options for the site.  At future meetings, EW will present a refined design and offer another opportunity for community feedback.

THE POMEGRANATE PROCESS

EW’s work with The Brighton is grounded in the “Pomegranate Process”, a holistic method for designing community space through meetings and collaborative design, which contributes to residents’ sense of ownership of the project.  Sharing diverse viewpoints and expertise strengthens community, while also giving rise to beautiful and effective design.

THE OUTCOME

A Space Created By The Community, To Create A Stronger, Healthier Community

Keep watching this space for updates on design and construction of The Brighton’s new outdoor spaces over the next few years.

While we don’t yet know exactly how the finished spaces will look, we do know that the community design process at The Brighton is bringing together scores of people, both young and old, from around Seattle and around the world, to collaborate on creating a shared vision for their community.