Saturday, February 25, 2023:  Through high winds and blustery snowflakes, a group of dedicated Baltimore Design School students ‘road-tripped’ with Mrs. Frederick and Mrs. Zaeh to the National Building Museum on Saturday to participate in a workshop facilitated by the BlackSpace Urbanist Collective.  We had a rocky start and arrived a little late, but the […]

Saturday, February 25, 2023:  Through high winds and blustery snowflakes, a group of dedicated Baltimore Design School students ‘road-tripped’ with Mrs. Frederick and Mrs. Zaeh to the National Building Museum on Saturday to participate in a workshop facilitated by the
BlackSpace Urbanist Collective.  We had a rocky start and arrived a little late, but the hosts were gracious enough to catch up so we were all able to participate in a fast-paced, hands-on and interactive design charette.  

The assignment was to reimagine the design of two vacant lots near Howard University using principles of inclusive and culturally affirming design. Charette expands thinking about the possibilities for affirming Black cultural presence in design projects. Participants first reviewed the BlackSpace Manifesto, and then collaborated in groups to agree on a ‘Project Vision’, followed by a creative brainstorming session on all of the characteristics of our design that would help achieve our vision. 

 BDS Architecture teacher Katie Zaeh joined the group and helped to guide the discussion, mapping out the space for the group to have a visual reference when brainstorming. Finally, each group received a basket of craft supplies and was challenged to make a 3-D model of their designs.  30 minutes and a million scraps of paper later, teams presented their designs and they were amazing!  

The ideas generated within the room of community members, professional architects and urban planners, college and high school students put a spotlight on the importance of involving all stakeholders when considering a project.

The BlackSpace Urbanist Collective facilitates conversations exploring the importance of Black spaces and the power of design in creating and conserving these spaces for Black people. Their workshops are thought and action sessions, providing participants with a chance for deeper discussion and collaboration.

The Black Manifesto:

• Create circles, not lines.
• Choose critical connections over critical mass.
• Move at the speed of trust.
• Be humble learners who practice deep listening.
• Celebrate, Catalyze, and amplify Black joy.
• Plan with, design with.
• Center lived experience.
• Seek people at the margins.
• Reckon with the past to build the future.
• Protect and strengthen culture.
• Cultivate wealth.
• Foster personal and communal evolution.
• Promote excellence.
• Manifest the future.