Graylingwell Chapel

Documenting community led design with Empowering Design Practices

I have been working with the Empowering Design Practices team since 2016 on the research around community led design in places of worship. It's a fascinating project looking at how historic places of worship can be use as a catalyst for connecting communities.

In 2019 I was commissioned to make three case-study films on places of worship that had successfully re-designed their space, involved the community, and were now thriving as a result. It was incredible to see such brilliant projects flourishing up and down the country.

Graylingell Chapel is a building with a rich history, currently under the custodianship of Chichester Community Development Trust. The film tells the story of how the development of the Chapel started, and how the community engagement process was organised to ensure that the plans take into consideration the needs and aspirations of the local community.

Empowering Design Practices is a five year research project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. The research team is a multi-disciplinary collaboration of academics, community partners and professionals, led by the strategic partnership of The Design Group at The Open University and Glass-House Community Led Design.