2007 Tarlungeni Live Project

We’ve been given a project with no outline; in a country we know nothing of, with a client we don’t know and a language we don’t understand. What do you do when you have no brief, no knowledge of a site and no idea?

The Roma (Gypsies) remain to date the largest and most deprived ethnic group in Europe. Almost everywhere, their fundamental rights are threatened. Disturbing cases of racist violence targeting Roma have occurred in recent years. Discrimination against Roma in employment, education, health care, administration and other services is common in many societies while the negative stereotypes which pervade European public opinion are sustained in the collective imagination.

‘Design from Above’

‘Tarlungeni 2007’

Construction

Planting Seeds

Exhibition

Notice Board

‘Design from Within’

‘Ideas…’

We’ve been given a project with no outline; in a country we know nothing of, with a client we don’t know and a language we don’t understand. What do you do when you have no brief, no knowledge of a site and no idea?

We’ve built two houses, and drawn a book full of ideas; in a community we’ve learnt much about, with a client we’ve come to know, using a shared language.

“ It’s not about feeling good about yourself after helping build a home for 12 people… it’s about the 12 people. ”