A day in the life

At Emmaus St Albans the Companions are encouraged to work across a range of disciplines. During our last visit, we established the five key areas as; Catering, Housekeeping, Retail, Vans and Workshop. The Companions play the lead role in all operations. We wanted to capture what it is to live and work in this establishment, a behind the scenes insight into daily life.

“Self-documentation is a powerful method for observing processes over a long period of time, or for understanding the nuances of community life when the researcher can’t be there.”

— ideo.org

With five disposable cameras up for grabs, a Companion representing each of the five work areas volunteered to document a 'Day in the Life'. There were no rules or restrictions, simply the film and 24 hours in which to complete it. Everything from their first activity of a morning, breakfast / lunch / dinner, conversations with the Emmaus community, work related activities and downtime. The choice was theirs.

Here are a couple of our favourites...

Housekeeping - Green Fingers

(Photo: Emmaus St Albans)

Retail - A Christmas Welcome

(Photo: Emmaus St Albans)

Author: J. Ashbridge

Laufen manifesto

Public interest design and the participatory methods that drive the approach are gathering force. At AzuKo, we stand with the forerunner of this movement believing that all built environment professionals have a duty.

“Too many people worldwide subsist in undeserving living conditions, and their ranks are growing by the day. As representatives of the professions collectively shaping the built environment, it is our responsibility to resist this intolerable situation. We are speaking out to define an alternative position. We must produce spaces that counter exploitation, control and alienation, whether in urban or rural landscapes. With all our expertise, creativity and power, we need to contribute more dynamically and consequentially to the global quest for equality.”

— Laufen Manifesto

Author: J. Ashbridge