2024 PLEČNIK MEDAL for the Enrichment of Spatial Culture
The City Lives within the People – Raising Awareness of Spatial Culture
Author
Meta Kutin
Data
The City Lives within the People – Raising Awareness of Spatial Culture: A decade of architectural study programme under the mentorship of Meta Kutin at the Slovenian Third Age University
Category: Enrichment of Spatial Culture
Author: Meta Kutin
Collaborators:
Year of realisation: 2021
Investor: Slovenian Third Age University
Photographs
Janez Marolt
PLEČNIK MEDAL in the category of the enrichment of spatial culture
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The enrichment of spatial culture is a win-win situation for everyone, not only certain users of buildings and layouts. Culture itself is the consequence of the consolidation of shared values and their forms of expression; without the broad inclusion of the public, the development of a rich spatial culture becomes inhibited. Accessibility, legibility, and the ability to understand are all crucial objectives, yet they are far from being self-evident. Without the awareness of the very existence of the elements of spatial culture as co-established by architecture and urbanism, as well as without the knowledge and experience thereof, individuals cannot become involved in co-creating and experiencing this culture.
This year's recognition for the enrichment of public space is awarded to "The City Lives within the People" because it enriches, popularises, and thereby strengthens spatial culture. Architect Meta Kutin's project has been in operation and experiencing growth for more than a decade. It encompasses various methods of instruction as well as research and the empowerment of the programme's participants. Under the auspices of the Slovenian Third Age University, Meta Kutin is developing and carrying out the programme of active and multi-layered teaching of the elderly, which has transcended the mere reception of knowledge: it has grown to foster, critically evaluate, and promote active involvement in the co-creation of spatial culture.
As part of the project, Meta Kutin and her group carried out several research projects, held exhibitions, and brought out publications including "Vizije SO 16: mesto 65+" ("Visions no. 16: The 65+ City"), "Z menoj po mojem mestu" ("Personal Town Tours of the City of Ljubljana"), and "Dreamlike Neighbourhood". All of them tackle and showcase the issue of the elderly in relation to their living environment. In addition to the project's complexity and far-reaching impact, the Jury further emphasises its influence on the re-evaluation of the understanding of ageing, on the strengthening of the active role of the elderly in the society, and, as a result, on the architectural, landscaping, and urbanistic practices. All of the above requires creativity, an insight into spatial culture, and the adaptation of the approach to a broad spectrum of participants - or, in Meta Kutin's own words: "Inclusion requires more time. Initially, it leads to minor changes, but slowly but surely, the changes grow."
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