Traces of the Future

We have been designing public spaces for almost 15 years – competitions, concepts, designs, details… Some of the designs have been realised, and we were there during construction and at the opening. We’ve certainly been back once or twice afterwards, but not much more often than that. But what happens when we’re not on site? What can be learnt from the reality of these places, a few weeks, months or years after their completion? What does this also mean for projects we are currently still planning? What expectations does the existing built environment raise, beyond the concept and the competition brief?
The Open Studio 2025 juxtaposed current designs and concepts with the built reality of completed projects. Equipped only with the coordinates, a disposable camera, a notepad and evidence bags, we documented our impressions and searched on site for traces and artefacts. The observations were then discussed collectively – both internally and with the visitors to the Open Studio.