Tirana Design Catalyst _ Project Submission2015 _ Social iMpetus by DX

Tirana Design Weeks Design Now Design Catalyst is about an urban platform to
create a better place for people, through the use of design,art, architecture and
urban interventions. Use art as a means to create social change, interaction, to
think beyond, to aspire and inspire a greater and better future, art as a means of
meaningful human gestures that motivates/design catalyst!. Design now is in
demand in Tirana (Albania) as a means to express the progress and changing the
page of past years for a meaningful and bright future: with design, art, beauty,
color, architecture, and social-well being at its core.

“where there is will, there is way” Edi Rama.

social_iMpetus is a recycle/reclaimed wood pallet installation that comes to
spark social interaction, as a momentum in the urban context that invites for
social pride and to bring Albanians together; to create a greater force to a
prosperous future (together we strive). Designed from a human scale social_iMpetus

changes an urban moment. It trigers the interaction of human life to the
object, the object to the square, the square to the City, and the City to all other
benefits. social_iMpetus utilizes the existing Mother Tereza Square facades,
stairs, and buildings as part of the momentum, in which it plays a critical part to
focus peolple’s attention on a space of unification. It uses local materials: a
design concept to be meant for the locale with their social life, colors (RED), and
culture.
Key factors:
+3 walls (plaza enclousure)
+Urban comfort
+Historical (City center)
+Urban moment
Aim:
+Humanize the square>make human friendly
+Re-vitalize Mother Tereza Square with color, life, youth, beauty, action,art,
architecture, debate and love for civic pride and ownership
+An urban intervention (social_iMpetus) that can be easily reproduced
to re-vitalize other ghost spaces of Tirana’s City
social_iMpetus provides a suitable setting for public gathering and differenct
activities, such as, for people to watch a movie/documentary/local visual arts,
seating, contemplation, debate and to meet in the heart of an urban enclave
with a significant historical component. On one side, classical architecture with
nighttime illuminations. On the other side, an overpowering boulevard
(Deshmore Te Kombit) providing the undoubtedly sense of power (grandiose)
and a feeling of being in the center of something dynamic!. The space layout
provides opportunity for a variety of activities to take place, such as, a mini
cinema (amphitheater), grandstand (contemplation), lounge (seat, bench &
table), and it serves the pedestrian passersby as they transverse Mother Tereza
Square. The functions work in different modes (if neccessary), giving plenty of
options for different configurations with the intention of providing a flexible
space for spontaneous social interaction. When people is in the iMpetus is hard
to get out, it is a moment of transcendence, it is the energy that brings people
togheter. Everything is possible with social_iMpetus!
Key words:
+social interaction +color +human scale
+civic pride/ownership +life +RED