Vernacular Design Series

This ongoing series is a reflection of the influence that people have on their urban environments and the vernacular designs that resulted.

As we navigate public spaces, it's fascinating to keep an eye out for vernacular design – practical modifications made by people seeking to shape their surroundings. What motivates someone to intervene in public space? Is it a lack of suitable solutions, cultural influences, or perhaps simply the need for an immediate fix?

This collection serves as a testament to the grassroots knowledge that drives some people to act creatively in response to diverse public space challenges. Without hesitation, these individuals take the lead in creatively solving problems with minimal resources and effort. Instead of waiting for formal plans or permissions, individuals and communities customize their surroundings according to their immediate needs. Various factors may trigger this.

Regulatory practices often homogenize, sanitize, and exorcise difference from public space

—(Sorkin 1992)

This phenomenon is most prevalent in underregulated cities, where public space issues often fall on the shoulders of its users. Here, fewer regulations create opportunities for citizen-led interventions. While constraints like time, budget, and access to public services can drive innovative informal urbanism, it's essential to not romanticise it and remain critical of the limited involvement of the state.

These interventions showcase the incredible knowledge held by those who directly use public spaces – they understand their needs better than anyone else. Vernacular design offers a unique perspective on embodied and intuitive problem-solving, demonstrating how anyone can actively shape their environment