The Better Block Foundation, in partnership with Common Era and Humancraft, is excited to announce a design competition aimed at addressing the growing epidemic of loneliness by exploring the impact of design on how people connect with others, the universe, and themselves. Titled “Creating Connections,” the competition aims to heal, unite, and inspire sustainability, inclusivity, and human and spiritual connection, and builds from the Jewish imperatives to improve our global community and honor the interconnectedness of all people and the planet.
Designers are invited to create a public infrastructure piece that reimagines public spaces as catalysts for creating moments of connection, empathy, and shared experiences. The creations should be a testament to the idea that design can not only be pragmatic but also bridge divides, foster unity, and promote a deeper sense of connection with the world around us. Submissions should align with Better Block’s Wikiblock philosophy that anyone, anywhere can create beautiful and meaningful design. The goal is to add these designs to Better Block’s Wikiblock library for members across all communities to access and add to their own public spaces.
“Public spaces are sacred spaces and despite being strangers, we all contribute to and depend on this shared space for our well-being. This design competition is an open call for designers, artists, and all kinds of creatives to share their ideas with us to help us create connections,” said Draven Pointer, Architectural Designer/Digital Fabricator at Better Block.
Designers interested in the competition should submit a single 17×11 PDF document with 1–3 paragraphs describing their design by March 11, 2024. The document should visually represent the idea with embedded images, sketches, renders, or collages. The layout of the PDF is at the discretion of the designers. The Better Block Foundation will deliberate and choose 10 designs and announce those moving forward on March 19, 2024.
The installation will be completed and showcased on June 13 from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. in Thanks-Giving Square located at 1627 Pacific Avenue in Dallas. For more information, visit betterblock.org/creatingconnections.
About Better Block Foundation
Better Block Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that educates, equips, and empowers communities and their leaders to reshape and reactivate built environments to promote the growth of healthy and vibrant neighborhoods.
About Common Era
Common Era is an R&D platform working to make sure the Jewish experience continually evolves to meet the present moment, today and in the future. Through explorations and collaborations with creators, builders, subcultures, and social movements, Common Era is imagining and funding initiatives and experiences that offer the world a more expansive Jewish reality.
About Humancraft
Humancraft is a user centered design consultancy that creates breakthrough service, product, and strategic innovations to advance human wellbeing.
About Thanks-Giving Foundation
The Thanks-Giving Foundation owns and operates Thanks-Giving Square, a contemplation garden, exhibition hall and interfaith chapel nestled in the heart of downtown Dallas. The Foundation strives to make North Texas a better place to live, work and play by educating, inspiring and moving its people towards becoming the City of Thanks-Giving.