Community Memory Week 1
Community Memory Week 1
Community Memory Week 1
celebrating southwark's best kept secrets
Macro Unit
System Design
System Design
Team & Duration
Team & Duration
Team & Duration
Anushka, Anwesha, Angelina, Ojaswi, Sakshi, Sarthak, Chen Chen, Lissy, Wuyou, Ellen
Anushka, Anwesha, Angelina, Ojaswi, Sakshi, Sarthak, Chen Chen, Lissy, Wuyou, Ellen
Anushka, Anwesha, Angelina, Ojaswi, Sakshi, Sarthak, Chen Chen, Lissy, Wuyou, Ellen
6th Feb - 12th Feb
6th Feb - 12th Feb
6th Feb - 12th Feb
THE brief
THE brief
THE brief
Design a local memory preservation & information sharing system inspired by and integrated with a local library collection.
Design a local memory preservation & information sharing system inspired by and integrated with a local library collection.
Design a local memory preservation & information sharing system inspired by and integrated with a local library collection.
We started the project by visiting the Walworth Library. Stefano, the assistant librarian, gave us a tour and introduced us to the space. He spoke about the Southwark area and its history, the different types of people who visit the library, and the ways in which they spend their time there. We were shown various aspects of the library: the staircase area that encourages people to pause and unwind, a colourful and lively children’s section, and the quieter upper floor meant for focused work.
We started the project by visiting the Walworth Library. Stefano, the assistant librarian, gave us a tour and introduced us to the space. He spoke about the Southwark area and its history, the different types of people who visit the library, and the ways in which they spend their time there. We were shown various aspects of the library: the staircase area that encourages people to pause and unwind, a colourful and lively children’s section, and the quieter upper floor meant for focused work.
We started the project by visiting the Walworth Library. Stefano, the assistant librarian, gave us a tour and introduced us to the space. He spoke about the Southwark area and its history, the different types of people who visit the library, and the ways in which they spend their time there. We were shown various aspects of the library: the staircase area that encourages people to pause and unwind, a colourful and lively children’s section, and the quieter upper floor meant for focused work.
The Walworth Library
understanding the space
understanding the space
Stephano emphasised the diversity of the area, and how the library tries to serve this through an equally diverse range of books and artefacts.
One key thing he noted was the decline in engagement with the library’s collections — both books and artefacts
— and how this pointed to a larger issue about visibility and relevance of libraries in the modern world.
After this visit, we did some tabletop research to understand how other similar projects have tackled the problem. We looked into models like the Singapore Memory Project and the Chimurenga Library, drawing inspiration from how they approached public memory, curation, and participation. Alongside this, for local research, we decided that starting with the library and branching outward into the community would help us capture a more complete picture of the demographic we were working with.
Stephano emphasised the diversity of the area, and how the library tries to serve this through an equally diverse range of books and artefacts.
One key thing he noted was the decline in engagement with the library’s collections — both books and artefacts
— and how this pointed to a larger issue about visibility and relevance of libraries in the modern world.
After this visit, we did some tabletop research to understand how other similar projects have tackled the problem. We looked into models like the Singapore Memory Project and the Chimurenga Library, drawing inspiration from how they approached public memory, curation, and participation. Alongside this, for local research, we decided that starting with the library and branching outward into the community would help us capture a more complete picture of the demographic we were working with.
Stephano emphasised the diversity of the area, and how the library tries to serve this through an equally diverse range of books and artefacts.
One key thing he noted was the decline in engagement with the library’s collections — both books and artefacts
— and how this pointed to a larger issue about visibility and relevance of libraries in the modern world.
After this visit, we did some tabletop research to understand how other similar projects have tackled the problem. We looked into models like the Singapore Memory Project and the Chimurenga Library, drawing inspiration from how they approached public memory, curation, and participation. Alongside this, for local research, we decided that starting with the library and branching outward into the community would help us capture a more complete picture of the demographic we were working with.
Artefacts inside the library
Artefacts inside the library
Artefacts inside the library
We also explored the Cuming Collection, both the artefacts on display at the library and the online archive. The collection is split into two parts: a temporary collection that changes every few months, showcasing artefacts from Southwark, and a more permanent one with a broader, global focus. This helped us begin to consider what aspects of the community we could connect with the library through our system.
We also explored the Cuming Collection, both the artefacts on display at the library and the online archive. The collection is split into two parts: a temporary collection that changes every few months, showcasing artefacts from Southwark, and a more permanent one with a broader, global focus. This helped us begin to consider what aspects of the community we could connect with the library through our system.
We also explored the Cuming Collection, both the artefacts on display at the library and the online archive. The collection is split into two parts: a temporary collection that changes every few months, showcasing artefacts from Southwark, and a more permanent one with a broader, global focus. This helped us begin to consider what aspects of the community we could connect with the library through our system.
Understanding the brief
After Tuesday's check-in with Tonicha, we realised that up until then, we had been thinking too much about the space & the artefacts itself, and not enough about the people around it.
Their stories and memories are central — understanding those is what would help us figure out what information should be shared, and what memories are worth preserving.
We used this feedback to develop interview questions and began conducting people focussed research within the Walworth Library.
After Tuesday's check-in with Tonicha, we realised that up until then, we had been thinking too much about the space & the artefacts itself, and not enough about the people around it.
Their stories and memories are central — understanding those is what would help us figure out what information should be shared, and what memories are worth preserving.
We used this feedback to develop interview questions and began conducting people focussed research within the Walworth Library.
After Tuesday's check-in with Tonicha, we realised that up until then, we had been thinking too much about the space & the artefacts itself, and not enough about the people around it.
Their stories and memories are central — understanding those is what would help us figure out what information should be shared, and what memories are worth preserving.
We used this feedback to develop interview questions and began conducting people focussed research within the Walworth Library.
Midweek, we expanded our research. Interviews and behavioural mapping took place not just at the Walworth Library, but also at Peckham and Swindon libraries. Splitting into smaller groups allowed us to gather a more diverse range of insights. We paid close attention to how people interacted with the space and each other, and noted patterns in where people gathered, what they ignored, and what drew them in.
Midweek, we expanded our research. Interviews and behavioural mapping took place not just at the Walworth Library, but also at Peckham and Swindon libraries. Splitting into smaller groups allowed us to gather a more diverse range of insights. We paid close attention to how people interacted with the space and each other, and noted patterns in where people gathered, what they ignored, and what drew them in.
Midweek, we expanded our research. Interviews and behavioural mapping took place not just at the Walworth Library, but also at Peckham and Swindon libraries. Splitting into smaller groups allowed us to gather a more diverse range of insights. We paid close attention to how people interacted with the space and each other, and noted patterns in where people gathered, what they ignored, and what drew them in.
Insights - AEIOU
Behavioural Mapping - To find out how people discover & explore the different sections
Insights - Interviews
Next steps & questions to think about
Next steps & questions to think about
Next steps & questions to think about
We started thinking about how to make the artefacts more interactive. What makes the Southwark Library special, and how can we bring that out more?
A key theme that emerged during our weekly feedback session was community building.
It also made us think about the people who come there. Why do some people choose to work or study in a library instead of at home or in a café? And why this library in particular? It raises the question — do we really need to create a whole new system, or can we build on what already exists in the space?
We started thinking about how to make the artefacts more interactive. What makes the Southwark Library special, and how can we bring that out more?
A key theme that emerged during our weekly feedback session was community building.
It also made us think about the people who come there. Why do some people choose to work or study in a library instead of at home or in a café? And why this library in particular? It raises the question — do we really need to create a whole new system, or can we build on what already exists in the space?
We started thinking about how to make the artefacts more interactive. What makes the Southwark Library special, and how can we bring that out more?
A key theme that emerged during our weekly feedback session was community building.
It also made us think about the people who come there. Why do some people choose to work or study in a library instead of at home or in a café? And why this library in particular? It raises the question — do we really need to create a whole new system, or can we build on what already exists in the space?
References
References
References
National Archives of Singapore. (n.d.). Singapore Memories. Retrieved April 17, 2025, from https://www.singaporememories.gov.sg/
Chimurenga. (n.d.). About The Chimurenga Library. Retrieved April 17, 2025, from https://chimurengachronic.co.za/about-the-chimurenga-library/
National Archives of Singapore. (n.d.). Singapore Memories. Retrieved April 17, 2025, from https://www.singaporememories.gov.sg/
Chimurenga. (n.d.). About The Chimurenga Library. Retrieved April 17, 2025, from https://chimurengachronic.co.za/about-the-chimurenga-library/
National Archives of Singapore. (n.d.). Singapore Memories. Retrieved April 17, 2025, from https://www.singaporememories.gov.sg/
Chimurenga. (n.d.). About The Chimurenga Library. Retrieved April 17, 2025, from https://chimurengachronic.co.za/about-the-chimurenga-library/
Thank You For Reading.
Thank You For Reading.
Thank You For Reading.
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© 2025 | Designed and developed by me with ♡ | All Rights Reserved.
© 2025 | Designed and developed by me with ♡ | All Rights Reserved.
© 2025 | Designed and developed by me with ♡ | All Rights Reserved.