PORT

Individual paths of people meander paradoxically and intersect, creating intricate and, at times, undecipherable patterns of cohabitation. In this project we want to consciously design a place for a productive crisscrossing – of people, cultures, and contexts – and to propose a universal scheme of exchange that can be easily adapted to almost any context.

This place – a living and working cluster that we provisionally call the Port – is at the very beginning of its making. With this booklet we initiate the new typology Charette; a first step towards a well articulated definition of what, how and for whom we design. The list of points on the next spread is an open-ended sketch of the future manifesto to be extended by both authors and readers.

PORT is an urban or suburban cluster where people who feel different – for religious, ethnic, cultural, ideological or other reasons – from the rest of the local population can coexist productively with each other and with the locals.

PORT effectively helps the Others with assimilation and adaptation to the unfamiliar context, but the main objective of this space is to create new meanings, competencies and products, that either the one nor the other culture can create on its own.

PORT is not a centre for refugees and/ or immigrants per se. It is a place where newcomers and locals can voluntary live, work and spend their leisure time together on various terms, while benefiting from this co-existence.

PORT produces universal values, that can be also appreciated locally.

PORT has very well defined borders and, at the same time, it is a space that is open for all.

PORT provides a safe environment.