Interview

    Why did you select Parliament Square?

We have devised a highly flexible solution that can be utilised in just about any public space. It also works for a wide range of public gatherings, from protests to performances or processions. However, in recent weeks one space has been at the heart of the protests that have erupted in response to the endemic and systemic racism that continues to scourge our societies. We have chosen Parliament Square as the lead public space for our idea. This has been conceived with the aim to provide a solution that enables some of the most essential forms of collective engagement to be carried out safely during a global pandemic.

    How did you approach the space? What was the broad vision?

We looked at some of the things that have been most affected – and will continue to be so – by the need for social distancing: concerts, theatre shows, other cultural events, parades, protests… How can we provide a solution that allows us to continue to engage in some of these very essential forms of collective engagement in the current situation?

    What tactics did you use to help encourage social distancing?

When we started to see "social distancing circles" chalked into the grass, we were really taken by how they use public space so ineffectively, and the aesthetic of it is missing an organic or more natural dimension. 

We looked instead at the Voronoi diagram, named after Georgy Voronoi, a mathematician born in Ukraine in 1868 and also known as a Voronoi tessellation, decomposition or partition. This diagram is used to divide a plane filled with unique points or nodes into separate regions. Voronoi diagrams are used in almost all areas of science and engineering. One of its first uses, for instance, was by John Snow to study the 1854 Broad Street cholera outbreak in London’s Soho. The Voronoi diagram can be easily developed and depicted as colourful patterns to establish the regions or partitions associated with each point or node.

Secondly, we looked at leveraging the use of technology and AR with an app idea that would allow the organisers of an event to create a Voronoi diagram for any given space. Attendees would be able to download the same app and, using AR to project the diagram on the space, find their allocated spot during the concert or protest (this system could work for static and moving gatherings).

    How did you avoid cues of restriction, control or caution?

By using the Voronoi triangle and an app to create and project it, the patterns that result to allow social distancing in any given space are always different and ever-shifting. There’s no need for aggressive cues of caution or restriction and the process can become a fun and visually-pleasing experience. As every space is different, this allows for organic expansion rather than relying on rigid grids which are often less efficient ways of filling space.

By creating a new and unique pattern each time, this idea is highly adaptable and replicable, allowing for it to be used in any space and for a wide range of events or gatherings. The Voronoi diagram can change and shift if more people join the gathering too.

    Were there any particular inspirations you’d like to mention?

We are big fans of Roberto Burle Marx’s wildly beautiful landscape design (we even wrote a book about it). We were inspired to devise a solution that would allow for social distancing while still producing organic and aesthetically-pleasing interventions of the public space.

    What, for dn&co., is the importance of public space?

Public spaces are the living rooms of our cities and towns. It’s where we come together and establish dialogues with each other and the city itself. They’re the biggest expression of the wild microcosm that our towns can be. They provide spaces to enrich the mind and expand the soul. They can take the shape of public stages, awe-inspiring art displays, wonder gardens, thrilling playgrounds or outdoor gyms. In that respect, they need to be upheld and looked after. They need to be open and inclusive and they deserve all of our attention in every project we work on. We believe they’re key to the success of any place that aspires to purposefully enrich cities and people’s lives.

    How do you think the value of public space has changed because of the pandemic?

Like with everything that this global pandemic has disrupted, public spaces face a dichotomy. On one hand, they have become essential in providing much needed open and gathering spaces after months of lockdown. However, social distancing can be a threat to their very raison d’etre by hindering a lot of the activities that allow public spaces to come alive and provide opportunities to engage with them and each other. That calls for solutions and initiatives, like this one, that ensure that our public spaces can continue to perform their essential civic function in our cities.

    Aside from public spaces, are there other spaces, services, or things that need design attention, as we address this public health crisis?

Every crisis hits those that are most vulnerable harder. We need to leverage the power of design to make sure that those with disabilities, or are vulnerable or lacking resources are not left behind.

Social distancing threatens some of the most essential forms of public gathering we all take part in regularly, from performances to protesting. Augmented Assembly is an app, driven by the Voronoi diagram that produces ever-shifting patterns that can be projected on the ground through AR so people can find their spot to take part in an activity. And because every space is different, this allows for organic expansion rather than relying on rigid grids that are often less efficient ways of filling space. By leveraging design and technology, it enables different forms of collective expression and the spaces they take place in, to continue to serve their function in our societies.

Interview

    Why did you select Parliament Square?

We have devised a highly flexible solution that can be utilised in just about any public space. It also works for a wide range of public gatherings, from protests to performances or processions. However, in recent weeks one space has been at the heart of the protests that have erupted in response to the endemic and systemic racism that continues to scourge our societies. We have chosen Parliament Square as the lead public space for our idea. This has been conceived with the aim to provide a solution that enables some of the most essential forms of collective engagement to be carried out safely during a global pandemic.

    How did you approach the space? What was the broad vision?

We looked at some of the things that have been most affected – and will continue to be so – by the need for social distancing: concerts, theatre shows, other cultural events, parades, protests… How can we provide a solution that allows us to continue to engage in some of these very essential forms of collective engagement in the current situation?

    What tactics did you use to help encourage social distancing?

When we started to see "social distancing circles" chalked into the grass, we were really taken by how they use public space so ineffectively, and the aesthetic of it is missing an organic or more natural dimension. 

We looked instead at the Voronoi diagram, named after Georgy Voronoi, a mathematician born in Ukraine in 1868 and also known as a Voronoi tessellation, decomposition or partition. This diagram is used to divide a plane filled with unique points or nodes into separate regions. Voronoi diagrams are used in almost all areas of science and engineering. One of its first uses, for instance, was by John Snow to study the 1854 Broad Street cholera outbreak in London’s Soho. The Voronoi diagram can be easily developed and depicted as colourful patterns to establish the regions or partitions associated with each point or node.

Secondly, we looked at leveraging the use of technology and AR with an app idea that would allow the organisers of an event to create a Voronoi diagram for any given space. Attendees would be able to download the same app and, using AR to project the diagram on the space, find their allocated spot during the concert or protest (this system could work for static and moving gatherings).

    How did you avoid cues of restriction, control or caution?

By using the Voronoi triangle and an app to create and project it, the patterns that result to allow social distancing in any given space are always different and ever-shifting. There’s no need for aggressive cues of caution or restriction and the process can become a fun and visually-pleasing experience. As every space is different, this allows for organic expansion rather than relying on rigid grids which are often less efficient ways of filling space.

By creating a new and unique pattern each time, this idea is highly adaptable and replicable, allowing for it to be used in any space and for a wide range of events or gatherings. The Voronoi diagram can change and shift if more people join the gathering too.

    Were there any particular inspirations you’d like to mention?

We are big fans of Roberto Burle Marx’s wildly beautiful landscape design (we even wrote a book about it). We were inspired to devise a solution that would allow for social distancing while still producing organic and aesthetically-pleasing interventions of the public space.

    What, for dn&co., is the importance of public space?

Public spaces are the living rooms of our cities and towns. It’s where we come together and establish dialogues with each other and the city itself. They’re the biggest expression of the wild microcosm that our towns can be. They provide spaces to enrich the mind and expand the soul. They can take the shape of public stages, awe-inspiring art displays, wonder gardens, thrilling playgrounds or outdoor gyms. In that respect, they need to be upheld and looked after. They need to be open and inclusive and they deserve all of our attention in every project we work on. We believe they’re key to the success of any place that aspires to purposefully enrich cities and people’s lives.

    How do you think the value of public space has changed because of the pandemic?

Like with everything that this global pandemic has disrupted, public spaces face a dichotomy. On one hand, they have become essential in providing much needed open and gathering spaces after months of lockdown. However, social distancing can be a threat to their very raison d’etre by hindering a lot of the activities that allow public spaces to come alive and provide opportunities to engage with them and each other. That calls for solutions and initiatives, like this one, that ensure that our public spaces can continue to perform their essential civic function in our cities.

    Aside from public spaces, are there other spaces, services, or things that need design attention, as we address this public health crisis?

Every crisis hits those that are most vulnerable harder. We need to leverage the power of design to make sure that those with disabilities, or are vulnerable or lacking resources are not left behind.