The past 18 months has reinforced the importance of good quality urban public spaces, with not only permanent features, but the ability to be flexible, hosting temporary events and activations. 1stPlace and Haily Zaki take us on a journey to London, Eindhoven and Los Angeles to examine examples of good design and programming. How can diverse types of installations breathe life into place? How can architecture and landscaping contribute? And how can we design flexibility into the public realm to account for the unexpected?
1stPlace
1stPlace is an agency that plans, designs and delivers cultural and creative projects for brands, developers and city planners, connecting them with their target audiences and communities. They carry out strategic research on activities and partners who could make a site better; and implement a range of projects with a global network of creators.
Will Sorrell, Partner, 1stPlace
Will is new to the Pacific Northwest, having spent most of his life in London, UK, with stints in New York, USA, and Florence, Italy. He has produced over 35 installations and exhibitions in 15 countries, including the London Design Biennale; designjunction; and the UK Pavilion at Venice Architecture Biennale.
Will has also worked as a broker between the built environment and the creative sector, collaborating with property developers, architects and city planners. He is passionate about making cities better and believes that culture and creativity play an essential part.
Jody Phillips, Partner, 1stPlace
Jody is a proud, longtime Vancouverite who has forever advocated for the region’s design industry. This has included publishing Currents: Contemporary Pacific Northwest Design in 2018. Jody ran Interior Design Show Vancouver for 6 years and had a national remit as Brand Director.
She has worked with designers, foundations and governments from as far as Japan, India and the Netherlands to as close as Portland and Los Angeles.
Haily Zaki, Chief Operative, Secret Agent
Haily Zaki is a brand cultivator with over 15 years of experience in communications, now leading Secret Agent communications and events.
Among her accomplishments, Haily ran PR for Dwell on Design from 2009 to 2013, helping to grow the show into one of the largest design shows in the US. Haily is also the founder of the LA Design Festival, an annual celebration of the city's diverse design culture and heritage. Since its inception in 2011, the LA Design Festival has evolved from a grassroots effort into an internationally-recognized design event that shines a spotlight on LA as the global design capital that it is. She began her career in international relations, volunteering for the UNDP in Geneva and a non-profit in Southern Chile. She also co-founded de LaB (design east of La Brea), an intellectually-spiked design non-profit that supported local creatives in their efforts to enlighten, improve, and engage the city. She serves as a Board Member for the Mash Up Contemporary Dance Company and on the social media committee for World Design Weeks.
*Zoom link will be sent through Eventbrite on the day of the event.
*This event is approved for 1 AIBC Core LU
