What if kitchens were public like libraries?

What if dance courts were a part of the ubiquitous / permanent landscape like basketball and tennis courts, how would they be used?

How would YOUR life change if you had access to these types of infrastructures in your neighborhood?

These are the types of questions we’re attempting to ask this season as we invite you to experience Public Kitchen and Dance Court all summer long.

Public Kitchen is a project designed by DS4S that invites community members to experience a not-yet-existing public infrastructure that could make their daily lives more vibrant, affordable and healthy. It is our experiment in addressing the stigma of “public,” while also capturing the imagination as to what strong public infrastructure could offer.
Dance Court, an urban research and development project of the studio aims to make dancing a part of everyday public life. Terry Marshall writes, “I figured “outdoor party? Great!” but after having visited it, I realized that it was much more. As someone of Caribbean background I know something about public life. It’s Called Carnival. But that is a once a year big event. What if the mobile euphoric living experience that is carnival was to be had everyday? What if it was a part of everyday life in the same way that one can choose to play basketball or soccer with friends? How would life be different? This is the question that Dance Court poses.”

Come experience and co-design these infrastructures with us every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 3-7pm at the Strand Theater and 545 Columbia (which is right next door to tThe Strand), starting July 19th through October 12th. We invite you to come cook, eat, dance, relax, share a playlist or a recipe, be the dj for an afternoon, kick a leg up, enjoy fresh food and aguas frescas, and more!

Let’s re-imagine public life together.