CEFPI WA and [co]design.

Community Oriented Design ([co]design studio) is a multi-disciplinary, non-profit professional design services organisation dedicated to working with communities to co-create solutions for built environment projects. They work with disadvantaged communities in Australia and Asia-Pacific to co-create solutions for built projects including masterplans, housing, schools, playgrounds, public spaces and more. They do this because good design can lead to improved environmental sustainability and improvements in the quality of life, health, and well-being.

At the CEFPI WA AGM, hosted this year by Scotch College, volunteer members from [co]design exhibited the plans for the Bangalore project. This provided a backdrop for the proceedings, and those attending the AGM were encouraged at view the work. Following the official proceedings of the evening, Kate Ferguson, of [co]design presented the masterplan of the school and introduce the project of the eco residential school and learning centre project in Bangalore. 

The Eco-Residential School is a project to design and build a sustainable living precinct for migrant workers in Bangalore including a residential school, global learning centre and urban agriculture precinct. The project will directly impact 1000 families over five years and aims to set a precedent for the first of many low-income living precincts. The program is bringing together young professionals from India and Australia to work with the community to develop the project. The first masterplanning workshop was held in Bangalore in 2011. 

It was clear from the presentation that projects such as this require significant planning and commitment, and that organisations like [co]design are instrumental in making these happen. The framework of this project, and the experiences of Kate and her team, could be useful for those planning similar work either as part of their professional work or otherwise. This could be applied to projects here in Australia, where similar issues may exist, or the framework could be adapted to suit a particular issue.

For those interested in [co]design, more information can be found at their website. http://codesignstudiobangalore.posterous.com/

The presentation made by Kate will be available via the CEFPI WA library on Members Connect or by contacting Lara Mackintosh onviridis@aapt.net.au