Title: Live Difference
Authors: Wei Ranran, Lin Yiye, Li Xiaolong, Yuan Yaqi, Wang Pengrong, Jess Haigh, Tom Bellfield, Akin Lisk-Carew, Sarah Hussain, Giulia Torino, Lorna Watmore and Mike Pirrie
Coordination: Dr Tatjana Schneider and Dr Florian Kossak
Year: 2013
Location: Sheffield & Leeds
Client: Live Difference Research Group & Together For Peace
Abstract: We live in increasingly multicultural societies; however, this does not necessarily mean that they are integrated societies. This Live Project has brought together an international team, who, for six weeks, has collectively carried out a series of spatial experiments aimed at bringing people of difference together in conversation and interaction.
These experiments focused on transforming existing spaces where people of difference might encounter one another into spaces of positive interaction, first through static interventions and later through architectural games and group discussions.
The initial brief was to translate the client’s research into a series of spatial experiments and to produce a report on the findings. This was expanded on by the Live Project team to include encouraging the active creation and adaptation of space through workshops at public events, schools and youth groups.