Jeanneworks, Typologies & Capacities

Freehouse Zuid - Radicalizing the Local

Afrikaanderwijk, Rotterdam South, Jan 2008

Duration: 2008 - ongoing
Location: Afrikaanderwijk
Participants:
Visitors:
Number of Events:

The Afrikaanderwijk in the south of Rotterdam is currently going through a process of transformation. By focussing on its small scaled multicultural character the neighbourhood could distinct itself from the new to develop suburbs that will surround it. One of the strongest and most recognized points of the area is the Afrikaander market. With over 300 stalls it is one of the biggest markets in the Netherlands. Twice a week it brought for years the most exotic products of the city. But it is also a run down market in need of attention.

Visual artist Jeanne van Heeswijk and architect Dennis Kaspori developed, with Freehouse a project that is based on cultural production as means for economical growth, a plan for an innovative programmatic design of the market. Together with market salesmen, local entrepreneurs, people form the neighbourhood, designers and artists they developed new products and services. This in order for the market to become again a site of cultural production and a meeting place for the neighbourhood. Tomorrows Market is a sparkling urban market with new products from the neighborhood, new services, fashion shows, performances, special mobile vending carts, unique market stalls and much more.

Besides the tested new plans for the market and the area through 300 small-scale interventions, Freehouse set up 3 communal workshops.

De Wijkkeuken van Zuid (Neighborhood Community Kitchen)
The goal of the Neighborhood Kitchen is to highlight the Afrikaanderwijk as an area where home cooks make the best dishes and unique co-operations are possible between inhabitants and shopkeepers. In keeping production local, the social and economic independence of the inhabitants and shopkeepers is actively stimulated. As such, the Neighborhood Kitchen forms an important link in shaping the area’s image.

Het Wijkatelier op Zuid (Neighborhood Fashion Workshop)
In the Neighbourhood Workshop fashion production is combined with design and education. Amateurs and professionals collaborate and exchange skills. Local in habitants have knowledge of materials and master techniques that are important and interesting for contemporary designers. By actively using this knowledge, these techniques will be passed on and preserved for the future. Participants are involved in the whole production process, from design to end product.

De Wijkwinkel op Zuid (Neighborhood Store)
The Neighbourhood Store is a cooperative shop where products of local designers and craftsmen are presented. This approach is based on the store-in-store concept, using temporarily empty locations. It’s attractive for local makers to offer their products to a wide range of people and to test the response to their product.

http://www.freehouse.nl

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