PERA is a non-profit organization based in Thessaloniki & Athens. We seek to mesh policy and design to create opportunities for person-to-person interactions that can organically shape social spaces for living, learning and creating, in order to reinforce social cohesion and improve quality-of-life within contemporary urban environments.
Neighborhood’s Room
Neighborhood’s room is a pilot program of the Municipality of Thessaloniki implemented in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th municipal districts by PERA non-profit organization supported by the Center for Business and Cultural Development (KEPA). The program is made possible through an exclusive donation from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.
The project introduced a network of creative community spaces in three neighborhoods of the city. Offering free access to tools and equipment, gathering, meeting and workshop space to all, the project’s main goal is to empower the citizens individually and collectively, to promote knowledge and skill sharing and ultimately improve social cohesion through co-creating and socializing.
Living Books
FROM NEIGHBORHOOD TO LIBRARY
We designed and instructed a workshop at the VII National Congress for Public Libraries in Toledo, Spain. Through a role-playing board game participants explored ways with which makerspaces can assist libraries to widen their audience, help strengthen social bonds and exchange of wisdom within their local communities.
In “Living Books” the neighborhood becomes an extension of the physical and social space of the library, while the local community becomes the source of knowledge, inspiration and innovation.
Mapping Makerspaces
IN EU PUBLIC LIBRARIES
We designed and conducted an online survey for European public libraries and policy makers, in order to map the current landscape of public library makerspaces in Europe.
The results of the survey were presented in PL2020's exhibition "Generation Code: Born at the Library" that took place during 2016 EU Code Week at the European Parliament.
UnMake Space
From Bookcase to Toolcase
We designed and conducted an online survey for European public libraries and policy makers, in order to map the current landscape of public library makerspaces in Europe. The results of the survey were presented in PL2020's exhibition "Generation Code: Born at the Library" that took place during 2016 EU Code Week at the European Parliament.