How might we collectively reimagine 1.5 Million m² empty office space in Frankfurt?
Re[ ]Frankfurt is a cross-media project that aims to collectively reimagine 1.5 Million m² empty office space for all the 691,518 visionary people & ideas living in Frankfurt. Extensive user research and expert organization interviews (Stadtplanungsamt Frankfurt, Leerstandsmelder and Basis e.V.) led us to find an opportunity space to co-create with citizens, through provision of information and a space to play with new ideas.
Team: Sascha Hiller, Marianne Hilschmann, Neti Shah, Charlotte Werfling
Role: Team Lead, Research, Concept Development, Video Editing, Post Production, Logo Design, Web Development, Trailer Storyboarding and Direction, Project Management.
Hochschule Darmstadt
3 Months (Team of 4)
Experience Trailer
Problem Area
1.5 million sq m office space lies empty in Frankfurt (as of 2013) - in contrast to a lack of affordable living space, rising gentrification and homelessness.
Our online research, expert interviews and citizen interviews showed confusion & uncertainty amongst the citizens about the empty buildings they pass everyday but also some willingness to do something about it.
We also talked to several organizations trying to raise awareness and get these spaces activated.
Designing a Solution
We aimed to co-create with the citizens - to open up a much needed discussion amongst the people of Frankfurt by capturing and showcasing ideas on the constructive usage of vacant commercial space - in a way they couldn’t possibly miss. Imagine a 1.5 million m² playground for the 691,518 visionary people & ideas living in Frankfurt.
We validated our concept by a test-run in the form of interviews and brainstorming sessions with citizens on location at several vacant buildings in Frankfurt.
Transmedia Strategy
The project unfolds as 4 installment based iterative modules. Starting off by informing the user with details of an accepted problem, we aimed to generate interest and motivate the user to participate and eventually ‘own’ our vision. Installments allowed us to iterate and redefine our strategy as the project progressed.
1. Advertisements + Website Launch
The project kicks off with the launch of the website. A mix of traditional advertising, guerrilla marketing and a sticker campaign evoke curiosity in public spaces and lead users to the website through a QR code. #refrankfurt is spread through various social media. The website informs the user and lets them follow the progress and get updates about the project. A campaign starts attracting attention at the location of the empty building to be used for the installation. First interactions before the live event will take place at this time.
2. Participatory Installation Projection
The 3 day participatory interactive media installation projected on an empty building makes people take notice of the almost invisible building. The passersby are given the chance to look ‘inside’ the possibilities that lay in the building. Different levels of engagement enable users to explore, contribute to ideas and reasonings and participate in a DIY green screen recording for new videos to be projected for the ideas.
3. Hackathon and Showcase
On the last day of the installation is the Hackathon, a dynamic mixed group of locals and niche experts digging deeper in trying to find solutions.
Finally, the Showcase enables ideas and concepts captured during the participatory installation and the hackathon to come together in a public showcase event and publication.
Working of the Participatory Installation Projection
A combination of projection mapping, Kinect, green screens, personal smart phones and an online database make the participatory interactive media installation possible.
The lower part of the building reacts to movements captured by Kinect and displays ideas. Hovering on the same spot reveals more data and also triggers a video on the one of the floors above.
The QR code uncovers all the videos in the building and prompts the users to submit their own ideas. Once submitted, the connected floor displays a placeholder ‘under construction’ video.
The ‘under construction’ video gets replaced by footage once a user records their own enactment of the idea in the green screen booth.
Notifications invite the user to return to see their ideas and recordings go live.
