Urban Utopian Design Workshop (120 min)

Question: What should a truly livable city block look like?

Schedule

Introduction. The facilitators (Hank Pellissier, (utopian writer), Carol Lloyd (former SF Chronicle real estate columnist), and John Ware (architect0) explain the objectives of the workshop (5 minutes)

Assignment #1- draw a single city block where you would most enjoy living. Include: housing, cooking areas, toilets, public & private space, transportation, nature, community interaction. (20 minutes)

Assignment #2 - each participant presents their drawing, explaining a) What’s here? b) Why does it make life better? c) Who is this best designed for? (15 minutes)

Assignment #3 - redesign your block by incorporating at least three ideas from your classmates’ designs. You can also add whatever new features you wish. (15 minutes)

Assignment #4 - - each participant presents their new drawing, explaining a) The changes you made. b) Why you made those changes. c) Who is this now better designed for? (15 minutes)

Assignment #5 - redesign your block, once again, by incorporating at least three ideas from your classmates’ designs. You can also add whatever new features you wish. (15 minutes)

Assignment #6 - each participant presents their final drawing, explaining a) The changes they made. b) Why they made those changes. c) Who is this now better designed for? (15 minutes)

Assignment #7 - secret ballot - students vote on which designs are most beautiful, most equitable, and most realistic? Ballots are given to instructors, who reveal the results to the group. (10 minutes)

Assignment #8 - discuss possibility of presenting the class designs in an art space or as a slide presentation in a theater or church. (10 minutes)

Sample Design Below