Image: mentatdgt; pexels.com
Dedicated spaces designed for and with teens say much about a culture of inclusivity, and relevance within an organization. If you are designing, renovating or finding space for teens, it is mission critical that they can call it their own, that they feel that it looks like them and who they want to be.
There is a generational sentimentality under the impression that neon signs and diner booths from the set of Happy Days speak to today’s teenagers; even a marginally scientific study of twenty-twenty teen culture will confirm the obsolescence of such narrowness. Misreading the interests and priorities of this, or any age group, leads to spatial inequality, underuse and missed opportunity. Similarly, merely providing signage for a “Teen Center” on a generic or flexible environment doesn’t build a physical heart and soul for future leaders.
If you are designing, renovating or finding space for teens, it is mission critical that they can call it their own, that they feel that it looks like them and who they want to be.
Image: ©Tony Smith
Sharon and Peter Exley, Co-Owners, Architecture is Fun, Chicago, IL
During the essential inclusion of teens in the design process, we recommend beginning conversations around props (materials, images of people, and places) that they can react to, which will get them chatting about their wants, needs, personifications and expectations of their space. Teens want to claim their own territory and identity and for this to be a serious investment in their core values and beliefs.
... merely providing signage for a “Teen Center” on a generic or flexible environment doesn’t build a physical heart and soul for future leaders.
We’ve found from many brainstorming sessions that teens are not short on sophistication and creativity. They frequently reference their own dysfunctional behaviors with humor and irony – this can inform design approaches for flexible environments with silly and serious approaches. The resulting identify and form should speak clearly to teen interests and aesthetics.
We’ve found from many brainstorming sessions that teens are not short on sophistication and creativity. They frequently reference their own dysfunctional behaviors with humor and irony ...
Materials palettes can add to the duality of physical and intellectual composition. The silly side can be a container for polka dots, egg chairs (we’ve heard them referenced as Men In Black chairs, citing the movie), mod lights and lounge seating that adults would find out of their norm, but are invitational to young people seeking to assert their identity. Take seriously what teens say they like and the places they admire. Do they like to hangout at the local coffee shop, a friend’s home or the skateboard park? What is it about those spaces that resonates with them? The more serious side should engage teenagers’ social and interactive inclinations. Oversize tables can become a communal feast of face-to-face. Stages to perform will allow for improv, poetry slams, gaming and performance. Ample places to plug-in and power up are priorities for the equipment and devices that keep teens connected and playing via their communication and gaming tools of choice. Design for and with teens should result in an environment that is decidedly not pristine, yet one that is casual, considered, crafted, connected and powered-up.
Teens should walk in the space and know it is for them. What if you heard, like we did: “Wow. This is the first time I’ve been in here and I love it! It’s so teenagerish. I really wish my room looked like this…you’re kidding, teens helped design this?! I didn’t know cool stuff like that went on. This doesn’t look like church!”
