Furnishing Social Institutions
An initiative to reuse materials discarded by cultural institutions
Initiator(s)
WochenKlausur
Description
WochenKlausur developed an initiative for reusing materials discarded by cultural institutions. The network established by WochenKlausur gets involved: nine cultural institutions in Chicago supply materials they no longer need at regular intervals, and the usable items are converted by students at design institutes into furnishings and everyday objects that can be used by social institutions. The group visited homeless shelters, soup kitchens, clothing distribution centres and other similar institutions in the neighbourhood, evaluating their need for furnishings, interior remodelling and everyday objects. Simultaneously, theatres and museums were asked to join the network on a permanent basis, and to supply at regular intervals materials that otherwise would be thrown away. The project’s final task was to found a non-profit organisation that could manage the long-term operation and coordination of the network. This new organisation, is named Material Exchange.
Goals
To create a more sustainable use of materials used by cultural institutions, repurposing them for organisations that needed better facilities.
Beneficial outcomes
Using the materials from the cultural institutions, the students design and build-to-order the items needed by the social organisations.
Location
United States
Users
WochenKlausur, employees of the Smart Museum, students of the University of Chicago Art Department, students of the Illinois Institute of Technology, students of Harrington College of Design, social institutions and their users.
Maintained by
Exhibition ‘Beyond Green: Towards a Sustainable Art’, Smart Museum & University of Chicago.
Duration
2005
Category
Scientific
Pedagogical
Politics
Urban Development
Economy
Environment
Social
