The understanding of design as a collective process based on shared ethics, methods and

experiments has been rewarded since 2007 by the

Global Award for Sustainable Architecture™
The award received the patronage of UNESCO in 2011.

LOCUS holds the Global Award and federates the winners in theoretical research and participatory
urban renewal projects.

We are thankful for the support of the GDF-Suez Foundation and Bouygues Batiment International.
LOCUS field research
~ academic social responsibility
LOCUS participatory projects
~ empowerment, self esteem, civil rights
radicant
theory – method – research field

“…socially inclusive, collectively creative,

responsive to changing needs.”
 singular
but universal
„locus: the singular but universal relation between a local situation
and the constructions found in that site.“
Aldo Rossi “L´architettura della città” (1966)
 analogue
and intuitive
“The biography of a city is written analogously between the lines,
in a fabric of feelings.”
Aldo Rossi “The analogue City ” (1976)
collectively
creative

“…understanding architecture as a service for all.”

Christopher Alexander “A pattern Language” (1977), The Timeless Way of Building (1979)
exchanging
rather than
imposing
Nicolas Bourriaud “Pour un art radicant” (2009)
open work

Umberto Eco “The Open Work” (1989)

 ”The city will become a place for experimentation

and an infinitely varied cabinet of wonders,

simultaneously containing that that always was and
that of which we have always dreamed.”
Jana Revedin “The radicant City” (2014)
 ”The city will become a place for experimentation

and an infinitely varied cabinet of wonders,

simultaneously containing that that always was and
that of which we have always dreamed.”
Jana Revedin “The radicant City” (2014)
 ”The coming generation of architect-companions
will accompany the transformation of an already existing radicant cloud intelligence
into the urgently needed radicant cloud creativity.”
Jana Revedin “The radicant City” (2014)
 ”The coming generation of architect-companions
will accompany the transformation of an already existing radicant cloud intelligence
into the urgently needed radicant cloud creativity.”
Jana Revedin “The radicant City” (2014)
Shlomo Aronson - Jerusalem, Israel
Q'eswachaka - Peru
Teddy Cruz - Tijuana, San Diego
Vatnavinir - Reykjavik, Iceland
Anna Heringer - Laufen, Germany
Salma Samar Damluji - London, G.B.
Anne Feenstra - Kabul, Afghanistan
Suriya Umpansiriratana - Bangkok, Thailand
Philippe Madec - Paris, France
TYIN Architects - Trondheim, Norway
LOCUS participatory projects
~ empowerment, self esteem, civil rights
 Cairo
Garbage City energy-zero Streetlighting
LOCUS participatory project
2009 – 2014
 1
community
presents needs
2
interdisciplinary
urban mapping
 3
participatory
Design
laboratory
 4
catalyst
chain-reaction
of policies
…a streetlighting
 value increase:
trash material US 1,00
iron structure US 5,00
sales price US 40,00
www.ape.org.eg
„Following the LOCUS project the Minister of Education
and the Governor of Cairo are now starting meetings to
come up with a comprehensive upgrading plan.“
Suzie Greiss, President of APE, March 2014
thank you,
Bijoy Jain!
 Rio
Vale Encantado Community Center
LOCUS participatory project
2012 – 2014…
 community
presents needs
 participatory
Design laboratory
… a community
center
 designed
on the scrapyard!
thank you,
Kevin Low!
& LOCUS assistant
Benjamin Bachler
LOCUS field research
~ academic social responsibility
Casablanca Sidi Moumen slum
LOCUS field research
2014 - …

International Competition
Urban Renewal of Masshousing

Blekinge Institute of Technology Sweden, ENA Rabat Morocco

"Sidi Moumen - from terror slum to open city:
a project with and by the people.”

Presentation at the World Urban Forum Medellin 11th April 2014

 "Sidi Moumen - from terror slum to open city:
a project with and by the people.”

Karolina Gustavsson, Jennie Luthander, Sara Bakkas, Siham Elyadary

Project responsible: prof Jana Revedin, arch PhD Blekinge Institute of Technology
 Radicant Design
“People must be empowered to become
co-creators and co-designers.” (Jana Revedin)

”Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because,
and only when they are created by everybody.” (Jane Jacobs)
Collective Design Method:
- Interdisciplinary Urban Mapping
- Participatory Design Laboratory
with local inhabitants and
stakeholders
- Revitalization and development of
”what is already there”: social blend
& proven courtyard typologies

Regenerative and re-qualifying interventions inside the existing milieu:

Circular Economy Waste recycling Social Gardens Empowerment &
Projects & Posts & Recycling & Urban Life-long Learning
Animal shelters Design Agriculture Centers
Connective Boulevards

Profitable micro-farms
 Social inclusion & vibrant streets

Sidi Moumen:
open city!
 Casablanca LOCUS field research
2014

“A sophisticated theoretical concept and a remarkable participatory approach to

social and cultural empowerment, introducing a new dimension of
inclusive urban planning: academic social responsibility.”

1. Regional Winner Arab States, 2. Global Winner

thank you!
Karolina Gustavsson & Jennie Luthander, Blekinge Institute of Technology
Sara Bakkas & Siham Elyadary, ENA Rabat
GLOBAL AWARD FOR SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURETM 2014
 Tatiana Bilbao, Mexico, Mexico

GLOBAL AWARD FOR SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURETM 2014

 Bernd Gundermann, Auckland, New Zealand

GLOBAL AWARD FOR SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURETM 2014

 Martin Rajnis, Prague, CSR

GLOBAL AWARD FOR SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURETM 2014

 West 8, Rotterdam, NL
Brussels, Belgium | New York, USA

GLOBAL AWARD FOR SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURETM 2014

 Christopher Alexander, Arundel, Great Britain

GLOBAL AWARD FOR SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURETM 2014