Kounkuey Design Initiative is a non-profit design and community development organization, that partners with underserved communities in the US, Africa, and Latin America to physically transform communities and in the process, improve environmental, economic, and social quality of life.
Lead Landscape Arichitectural Designer: Jennifer Toy
Landscape Designer: Christina Johnston
Design Intern: Esmi Rennick
Somos Oasis Research Beacon
This beacon was designed with a team of local Coachella Valley teens dubbed the street team. In a series of workshops the participants developed a Humans of New York type project. Their goal was to hit the streets of Oasis and interview the community about their relationship to the unincorporated city. They gathered basic demographic statistics as well as personal stories to help them understand better their community.
The Beacon consisted of four areas, or activities the patrons could engage in.
- Introduction- This space was designed as a quick touch point to the project, for someone with just enough time to take the survey and learn about the project.
- Hogar- Which means 'Home', is an activity where residents answer questions regarding the city and map the answers.
- Voz- Which means 'Voice', consists of a recorded interview between the street team member and resident.
- Flash- Once done with their interview, the street team then took a portrait of the residents.
For images of process and the fall fiesta: Somos Oasis Gallery
Beacon Design
The transformation of a bare bones transportable shade structure into a mobile community touch point allowed our team to reach participants in various locations. Not only did this beacon aid in the growth of a community but it served as a touch point/introduction of KDI to the city. It became a way to gather contact information of locals that would like to attend special events or to join in on the design phase of the larger public park.
Fall Fiesta
All information gathered from the interview and photo portions of the beacon were curated and presented back to the community at the fall fiesta. This event marked the beginning of the design phase for a larger park project.
