Inspired by the concept of ‘action research design’ (A. Findeli), this immersive module brought together students and teachers, from different higher education institutions, with residents and workers of a children’s home in Liège – Le Phare. The aim was to foster interactions – i.e. user centred reflections and creations – in order to work on the reorganisation of Le Phare’s interior lay-out and collective spaces. 

Le Phare is a children’s home recognised by the General Administration of Youth Aid of Belgium. It is part of a wider network of social and solidarity initiatives aimed at young people suffering from various forms of social exclusion. The service currently accommodates around twenty boys and girls, aged 7 to 17. They are supported 24/7 by a qualified educational team. For most resident, Le Phare constitutes their main place of residence. While some young people are able to return to their families at weekends or during school holidays, the majority of the group remains in house. Hence, there is a need to promote improved living conditions in a building that is not purpose built – i.e. an old mansion first converted into administrative offices and then summarily adapted to accommodate children.

Against this backdrop, our project sought to promote well-being. To start off, we worked on different proposals with the young residents and the workers of Le Phare. Whether talking about communal or private spaces, we had to consider a number of issues such as privacy, different uses and organisation models of common living, the harmonisation of furniture, communication and signage, energy efficiency, lighting, etc. 

During the first two days, we organised a number of participatory workshops for the young resident, who participated on a voluntary basis. We thereby grew to know them better, have more intimate moments with each of them and find out more about their wishes and needs. But above all, these workshops were a starting point for all the development proposed changes to Le Phare. It was therefore an important observation and information-gathering phase.  

We then spent the rest of the week working intensively on the multi-purpose common room of Le Phare. The children were also closely involved in the rest of the work, whether by testing the assembly of a prototype piece of furniture or creating typography. In addition, meals were taken with the children, so that we could continue to immerse ourselves in their daily lives and continue our exchanges with them and the members of staff. We were very touched by everyone’s hospitality. 

At the end of the week, we produced a publication describing our meetings, workshops, research approach, and solutions. The proposed improvements were presented to the stakeholders – Le Phare residents and staff – during an rounding off exhibition at ESA Saint-Luc Liège School of Art. Welcoming all these young visitors to our students’ place of study and work was a great experience. After 5 days intense days, it was hard to say goodbye! So let’s make sure we meet each other again soon…

In conclusion, this life-size field project allowed us to test collaborative protocols with experts from different disciplines. In turn, this experience will feed into our ongoing reflection on transdisciplinary action research/creation. So, what is next? In Autumn 2024 we will organise a study seminar with a wide body of stakeholders to continue questioning, debating and building our proposal for a transdisciplinary post-graduate degree on action research. 

Participants : 

ESA Saint-Luc Liège: 

5 students from the Interior Design, Industrial Design, Visual and Graphic Design and Photography, departments supported by their professors: Pinky Pintus, Hilke Vervaeke, Marie Sion and Olivier Cornil, Célia Charbaut, Noémie Drouguet

ENSAD Nancy (FR):

4 Environmental Design student accompanied by their teachers Colin Ponthot and Jehanne Dautrey. 

University of Liège: 

1 Sociology graduate student together with Justine Contor, a post-doctoral student in Architecture. 

And of course, the 20 children, teenagers and support staff at Le Phare. 

This project was made possible by Wallonie Entreprendre

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