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The Plug-In City example

Mandela Jap-A-Joe
21 nov 2017
2 minuten om te lezen

Like other members of our research team, I'm also quite interested in science fiction and utopia. With this in mind, I've decided to research the proposals of Archigram further. These proposals may seem like science fiction at first glance, but they address important issues in modern cities and communities and have served as a source of inspiration to many designers. I've started discussing the Walking City and the Plug-In City in my previous blog. In order to understand these proposals better, I've decided to look into projects these proposals have inspired. In this blog I discuss an example of such a project. This project was also named after the Archigram proposal.

Plug-In-City in Eindhoven is described as a creative city within the city.

Although this project isn't an exact application of the Plug-In City concept, it does offer its inhabitants a great deal of freedom and flexibility just as the Plug-In City of Archigram would offer its citizens. Plug-In-City in Eindhoven Strijp-S is an evolving community that is growing and expanding as its inhabitants, the 'Pluggers' see fit.

The community started on an empty piece of land on Strijp-S. Plug-In-City has been developed by the social housing company Trudo, the owner of the land, and the community of Strijp-S. Since 2015 Plug-In-City has developed into a place of collaboration and creative diversity and it will continue to grow over the next coming years. Plug-In-City is a temporary development.

Plug-In-City is strongly based on a circular economy model, combining sustainable strategies with creative development.

The project is mainly built from re-used shipping containers and planned in a way that connects the inhabitants and creates a community. The so called 'Pluggers' are a diverse group of creatives like designers, architects, craftsmen,artists and entrepreneurs. A 'Plugger' can join the community and propose a built space for their initiative. 'Pluggers' are required to be creative, share, bring their individuality and also collaborate.

Containers can also be rented for a certain amount of time as a studio (atelier) for example or for a certain event. 'Pluggers' regularly offer their space for events. Of course there are also rules and agreements in this kind of community. For example: being a 'Plugger' is rent free however the participation is at your own risk and expense, including insurance and security of your space. The cost for connecting gas, water and power is your own responsibility, as is your concumption. Each 'Plugger' is judged on (fire) safety. And of course the 'Pluggers' are expected to take care of the cleaning of their own space in Plug-In City.

In conclusion: a project like Plug-In City offers an inspiring place to create together and exchange ideas.