Introduction

In this chapter we explore the possibilities for creative co-production, with Park Hill flats in Sheffield as the site of our enquiry. We describe how we collaborated with a small community of new residents in this newly regenerated and very well known ‘housing estate’. We make a case for ‘making’, using drawings, models and images as a way to think about the residents’ lived experience and how it might change and allow re-imagining. In this case we were thinking towards a future living in Park Hill and the opportunity the residents have to build a better community. Our aim was to offer a listening ear and design conversation with the residents, discussing their own particular ways of living in Park Hill. We explored themes around modernism and living differently; the residents themselves felt that they were living in a ‘modernist dream’, where modern architecture encourages modern life, ‘to live out new roles and relationships … providing a space in the modern world’ (Friedman, 1997, p 17). Taking a historical journey, we trace a path from the people who originally made the buildings to the present and the people who now live in them.

Our co-inquiry was conceived through a number of events and encounters. This chapter reveals the insights and processes of collaboration. The first public event was a substantial exhibition visited by over 200 people at Park Hill; this was held half-way through the process of conducting in-depth interviews with 12 households and followed by two group workshops. The final event was the opening of the film made with Museums Sheffield, our project partners. We draw on experiential and materially situated methodologies, including the idea of material thinking from Paul Carter (2004), considering how thinking through materials can aid a co-productive approach to research.

Our thinking is future-oriented and considers the ways in which the residents themselves situated our thinking. Through this process their knowledge and skills combined with the possibility and potential of a new experience. As Ingold (2013) described, insights can come from the moment of making and discussing, in this case, whether in the interviews or in the workshop or looking at an exhibition together. These insights can help inform future thinking and decisions.