From a storage corner to a space for everyone!

The SchoolChanger project gives young people a say in shaping the environments where they study and spend their free time. Our collaboration with Ukraina talo – a meeting place for Ukrainians and Finns – in Finland is a great example of how working together and looking at familiar spaces from a new perspective can lead to meaningful change.

We started by identifying a space that could be put to better use. At Ukraina talo, it was a corner visible to all visitors that had become an uninviting storage area. Together with our team and a few young people, we explored how the space could be transformed into somewhere people would actually want to spend time.

The young people had their own ideas about the furniture, colours and activities the space should offer. We brought their ideas together with input from our in-house designer to find a solution that reflected their wishes while making the most of the space.

The result? A corner that once served as storage is now a welcoming, multipurpose space where people of all ages can relax, read, play board games, watch movies or enjoy video games.

Our approach was simple: reuse, repurpose and rearrange. Rather than buying lots of new things, we made use of what was already available and gave it a new purpose.

Take a look at the transformation and see what a small space and a fresh perspective can achieve!

And this is just the beginning. We’ll continue working with young people to develop the space and make it even more inviting. There is room for new ideas, artwork and changes along the way. The aim is to create a space that can evolve with the people who use it.

What might this corner become next? Stay tuned to find out!

Text by Anja Poberznik

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