'THE SHACK' Collective Self-Build Fund

‘THE SHACK’ Collective Self-Build

 

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO BRING OUR COMMUNITY-LED KALEIDOSCOPIC STAGE TO LIFE!

 

Our Story

 

We are a black women-led architecture collective with ambition and a passion for creativity, collaboration and community involvement. We came together to design and build an ambitious installation that will provide needed space for outdoor music performances. After over a year of being disconnected from one another and inspired by our drive to celebrate the meaning of connection, we had our idea... Between the Earth and the Sky. We submitted our concept for The Shack competition ‘DJ stage’, for Brainchild Festival, a not-for-profit independent Arts and Music Festival and were SUCCESSFUL! Now we need extra help to realise its full potential.

 

Building this stage will be the first opportunity that we’ve had to collaborate as designers and it will also provide audiences with a beautiful, hand-crafted & original setting for their reunions and first dances after lockdown. We’re so excited to make this a reality, we just need help to raise the funds to do it justice.

 

Design

 

 

Between the Earth and the Sky is rooted in the intimacy between people and the natural environment. It is a kaleidoscopic origami formed structure made up of large triangular fragments of mirror that cascade over and around the stage, reflecting everything within its surroundings. The interactive canopy will be used as the DJ booth stage at Brainchild Festival.

 

The structure consists of a lightweight timber space frame, made with 3 interconnected arches, supporting angled mirror panels to create the appearance of origami folded structure. Our aim for this design is to foster and encourage wholesome interactions, the stage encourages festival-goers to step into a psychedelic realm of natural patterns, abstract shapes and iridescent colours, navigating our passage from one natural world to another.

 

Meet the Team

 

 

 

If you’re interested in finding out more about us, follow our Instagram!

 

Why You Should Support Us

 

Brainchild Festival have committed as much support as they can offer, however, once the estimation of time spent on safe & successful delivery is factored into the costs, there is a significant amount left to raise. Despite this being a shoe-string budget kind of opportunity, we hope to raise what’s necessary for us to pay ourselves to do the work and take the project above and beyond its original sights.

 

We are committed to realising the full potential of this project, your contributions will help enable us to fund:

 

• A bespoke and modular structure that can be could be reused at Brainchild Festival in future years
• Our initiative to reduce our carbon footprint by using locally sourced, repurposed and recycled materials.
• Engagement with the wider community; partnering with a community garden in St Pauls area within summer 2021.
• Technical support for volunteers to help improve their structural understanding of design and pragmatic approach to problem-solving.

 

Importantly, this project will act as a vital stepping stone for our professional experience as designers and contribute to the progression of our careers; creative organisations are developing but are influenced by a community that is highly politicised. Connected through the ‘Black Females in Architecture’ network and beyond, we are driven to see the industry brought to a place where diversity, heritage and identity are actively implemented, as well as to increase the visibility and representation of Black Women in Architecture. This project has the potential to elevate our skills, expand our network, provide us with industry experience and, most importantly, encourage & inspire all underrepresented individuals within architecture & the creative industries.

 

Costs Breakdown

 

This shows how money raised for the project will be spent. These costs have been calculated based on the London Living Wage @ £10.95.

 

Admin - £200

Project Management - £500

Planning Application - £1,000

Detailed Design - £1,000

Structural Development - £1,000

Fabrication - £700

Materials - £1,500

Construction (1:1 test build) - £600

Install / Deinstal - £800

Fundraising - £350

Transport - £30

GoFundMe transaction fees - £220

TOTAL = £7,900

 

Overfunding

 

Our project is enabled for overfunding. If the project hits its funding goal before the end of the campaign period, any extra funds raised will be spent (in order of priority) on:

• 50% - Install the Stage at Gaia Garden; a community garden space that will host music, events, workspaces and public garden accessibility.
• 25% - Presentation - A visual report about the project to share our practice more widely
• 25% - Charity donation to Blueprint for All (formerly Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust) to support their Building Careers program

 

We are grateful for any contribution you can make to support us as young & emerging architects taking this giant steps in our careers.

 

Donate, share and follow our journey here.