slowLab is nearly 2 years into an exciting design research project in the Eastern Docklands area of Amsterdam, where we’ve been collaborating with hundreds of designers, architects, urban planners, artists, environmental technologists, social innovators, and local community members.  This project, called ‘Slow Lloyd,’ explores the Slow creative and sustainability potentials of the historic Lloyd Hotel and the locality surrounding it. Participants have been using Slow design principles to research and redraw the material, spatial, social, sensory, and temporal expressions of this local system. An online archive of the program launches soon. Follow this link to download a .pdf version of the Slow Lloyd newspaper (in Dutch, but with lovely pictures).

Share your ideas or experiences about Slow place-making here >

What is Slow design? >

Spring is here > As we continue our projects in the Netherlands, we're looking forward to participating in the 2012 Cumulus conference in Helsinki focused on 'Open, participative cities', as well as events relating to the first Istanbul Design Biennial taking place next Fall.

slowLab is pleased to announce that our temporary Slow Loket in Amsterdam will be a permanent part of the history of the Lloyd Hotel. This public-facing space was launched in January with a project by designer Marijke Annema, 'Lekker Vies, encouraging Slow-er encounters with one's home and surroundings. Presented as part of slowLab’s ongoing SLOW LLOYD program, Annema's collection of strange and beautiful cleaning tools are a metaphor for taking time and care to get to know the Lloyd, the neighborhood around it and the people who live there. Download the flyer here and/or watch the project film here.