New Citizen Change of Perspective Design

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269625

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Submitted

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NEW EUROPEAN BAUHAUS AWARDS : existing completed examples

Project title

New Citizen Change of Perspective Design

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Description

Interiors are like the soul of humans. New citizen interiors are about creativity, connection and optimism, while providing sanctuary. Stimulating activity to energize people, cohesion, interaction and imagination through perspective-changing furniture, multi-senses, multi-shape, multi-function and conscious designs.Together with European designers we have a portfolio of which the trio  ‘change-of-perspective’ designs (Paradosso ‘Let it Go’, Circle Swing, Belvédère) is the eye-catcher.

Where was your project implemented in the EU?

When was your project implemented?

Has your project benefited from EU programmes or funds?

Which programme(s) or fund(s)? Provide the name of the programme(s)/fund(s), the strand/action line as relevant and the year.

Please provide a summary of your project

Interiors are like the soul of humans. Designing interiors is a way of creating well-being for the people who use it and for New Citizen Design particularly, of reflecting the sign of times from the perspective of its guiding design principle: the positiveness of the new citizen. New citizen interiors are about creativity, connection and optimism, while at the same time providing sanctuary. Stimulating activity to energize people, cohesion through meeting areas and visual lines, interaction and imagination through perspective-changing furniture, healthy climate through smart indoor-outdoor combinations, technology wisdom, green and water, multi-senses, multi-shape, multi-function and conscious. A home, to new citizens, is where they feel at home: the place that protects them and connects them to others. Be it a house or apartment, a temporary room or studio, a bed in a companion’s place. Home is where the heart is. And where the heart can connect to other hearts. So, home spaces can become anything: apartment complexes, short and medium stay living quarters with facilities for sharing and connecting with others as well as hospitality concepts that nourish belonging. It is in the way that spaces are shaped and become places, that new citizens recognize their temporary or permanent homes.​​​​​​ New Citizen Design is like the new citizen; they ‘look closely at the present they are constructing, because they want it to look like the future they are dreaming’. New Citizen Design invites the design community to embrace the positive energy of new citizens and to shape urban spaces to their dream. Together with European designers and from European materials (sustainable, high quality as well as waste) we have designed a portfolio of which the trio ‘change-of-perspective’ designs is the eye-catcher that may infect others to embrace the positiveness of the new citizen design movement: Paradosso 'Let it Go', Circle Swing & Belvédère.​

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of sustainability and how these have been met

In order to achieve a genuine feeling of belonging in interiors, the materialisation of the designs is essential. We wanted to present only quality designs, reviving the arts and crafts techniques we traditionally have, and connecting them to present day aesthetic and functionality through minimalistic design. That is why New Citizen designs are made by European designers and with craft techniques, often by hand. They are fabricated from European materials: Circle Swing is made mainly of polish plywood. Belvédère ladder chair is made of European oak, sustainability class #2 (wood between 15-20 years). Paradosso ‘Let it Go’ has a powder coated steel frame. Powder coating is a durable way to  add color to a metal frame. Unlike other methods, powder coating does not release any harmful substances and 100% of the pure raw material (paint powder) is used. Excess powder is sucked off by the system and then reused. Paradosso ‘Let it Go’ in Christie van der Haak edition, has jacquard woven fabric from a traditional, German, family weaving company, using 100% polyester threads.

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of aesthetics and quality of experience beyond functionality and how these have been met

New Citizen Design is not about just adding another chair, desk or table to the vast offer already available to the European public. We set out to find design partners who could add to home, office and leisure interiors, that spur of extra: a design that tears you away from your desk, where you are in the same position all the time, designs that give you a moment of relaxation, that add harmony to the interior, or give you a different perspective, trigger your imagination, stimulate you to connect with the other. If only we could invite you, jury, to experience our Change-of-Perspective trio: Paradosso ‘Let it Go’ is maybe the strangest of the three. In response to a society of action and rational thought, Paradosso ‘let it go’ invites the desk worker to take a distance from production, or the busy cosmopolitan to take a few minutes rest. A creative addition in numerous in/exteriors (from lobbies and workspaces, to platforms and parks). The design stimulates the imagination, allowing the unconscious to wander, creating stories between people while enjoying a back massage. Circle Swing gives you the physical, mental and emotional health benefits of rocking. It releases endorphins and calms the mind, improving balance. A unique addition to a living or office space, lobby, restaurant, or café, the circle swing hangs from the ceiling encouraging fun and exercise. Comfortable and functional. It is perfect for clearing the mind, reading a book, informal conversation or a coffee break. It can make you feel relaxed any time of day.  Belvédère is a stand-alone ladder; an assembly of oak pieces. Made to reach uncharted heights and gain a different perspective, Belvedere is an invitation to take a step up. 

Tired of daily routines and dull moments, Belvedere ascends one out of mundanity. From atop our perch, the world below acquires new clarity; we come down with a renewed vision of our own personal space, with fresh ideas or new insights.

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of inclusion and how these have been met

We have tested our designs in several parts of Europe (Dutch Design Week 2019, Paris Design Week 2019, Lille Design Week 2020, MAD and Collectible Brussels 2019/20, Stockholm Design (2018) and at design shows in the USA and UAE.   As such, we have been able to test the intended effect of the designs with large amounts of people from different generations, cultural, educational and national backgrounds and with a wide spectrum of human characteristics. Some immediately give themselves to the designs, some are more cautious in their approach. All of them are curious and feel challenged to experience the designs. What struck most, was that the curiosity for and experience of the designs enhanced immediate bonding between strangers, on the spot connections were made and a feeling of togetherness and intrinsic happiness was triggered.  

Please give information on the results/impacts achieved by your project in relation to the category you apply for

The introduction of our Change-of-Perspective trio was enthusiastically embraced by the frontrunners in design with an acknowledgement by the chief curator of Dutch Design Week 2019 for the opening exhibition ‘Positive Landscapes’. The pandemic of 2020-2021 has stimulated the interest in our design movement and the designs that can help shape our future workspaces, leisure areas and home interiors. The economic situation due to pandemic, however, has given a big hick-up in our designs finding the way to the larger European market.

Please explain the way citizens benefiting from or affected by the project and civil society have been involved in the project and what has been the impact of this involvement on the project

Although the designs have not been co-created with end-users, it has been extensively tested, which confirmed the intended effect of the designs. Moreover, it also proved the desirability of the designs in terms of aesthetic and unexpected functionality, which will undoubtably lead to a pull from the European public for honest, durable and human scale designs in their (interior and exterior) spaces.

Please highlight the innovative character of the project

New Citizen Design’s approach for ‘that spur of extra’ designs for interiors, solely sprung from the idealistic vision to catch positive human energy in spatial design. We wanted to acknowledge this positive energy and create surroundings for European urban citizens that would stimulate their energy and as such have added value to urban communities and areas. It is a completely different business approach than the traditional one, in which earning models form a core part of the business strategy. We have positioned New Citizen Design as a design movement with designs that also serve as conversation pieces about future urban living, working and hospitality. We would like to spread the basic ideas of our design movement to others, so as to have real impact crossing borders of nations and connecting universal human characteristics.

Please explain how the project led to results or learnings which could be transferred to other interested parties

New Citizen Design is like the new citizen; they ‘look closely at the present they are constructing, because they want it to look like the future they are dreaming’[1]. We have experienced that this positive way of thinking about the future, and trying to start realising our dreams today, has a big appeal and can form a so-called BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) for our (urban) societies. From our vision, we have created a persona, the "new citizen", who is the personification of a design movement that emanates from the core of positive, human energy, coupled with a conscious relationship to social issues. It is a fictional person who feels lifelike, but who can take on all sorts of socio-demographics. At its core, the new citizen is an inter-vidual; someone who focusses on himself and is in connection to the other as well. Driven by his appealing and infectious humanity, the new citizen makes eco systems from original ego systems. New Citizen Design invites the European (design) community to embrace the positive energy of new citizens and to shape urban spaces to their dream.   [1] Quote adapted from original by Alice Walker in The Colour Purple

Is an evaluation report or any relevant independent evaluation source available?

By ticking this box, you declare that all the information provided in this form is factually correct, that the proposed project has not been proposed for the Awards more than once under the same category and that it has not been subject to any type of investigation, which could lead to a financial correction because of irregularities or fraud.