OUT COMMON BACKYARD
What if a street could bring people together
This project reimagines Sale Town’s School Road as a shared space where cultural differences become catalysts for connection. As more Hong Kong newcomers settle in Greater Manchester, questions of belonging, identity, and interaction arise. Instead of seeing cultural contrasts as barriers, this project views them as invitations and opportunities to transform everyday spaces into common ground.
Rooted in the belief that urban design can spark meaningful social interaction, the project brings elements of Hong Kong street life into the heart of Sale. Kinetic powered swings light up community commitment boards. Pop up night markets echo the warmth and rhythm of dai pai dongs. Open air dining spaces invite spontaneous gatherings while mini cloud libraries and copper sound tubes turn ordinary walks into moments of reflection curiosity and exchange.
These interventions are not imposed but grown from listening drawn from fieldwork conversations and lived stories of those navigating the space between cultures. Each element whether playful or poetic is designed to activate the public realm and make space for voices that often go unheard.
Our Common Backyard asks can we build community not by erasing difference but by designing for it Can joy ritual and play become tools for integration From swing powered beacons to kinetic river paths the street is recast as a place of rhythm resonance and recognition.
This is not just about placemaking it is about people making It is about creating moments where strangers feel welcome where culture becomes visible and where belonging is not a fixed idea but a shared experience in motion.
Look closely! You might discover a piece of your own story here too and maybe leave behind a new one for someone else to find.
