The “Freedom Flow. Be Like Water“ project tries to seamlessly integrate nature-based solutions into the urban fabric of Łódź. Rooted in the idea of fostering a stronger connection between citizens and their local waterways—particularly the Jasień River Valley in the Księży Młyn area—the project aspires to address pressing socio-cultural and environmental challenges through co-creation and collaboration.
The initiative not only aims at incorporating sustainable design into the cityscape but also aims to reconnect residents with water, cultivating a renewed appreciation for rivers and their ecological importance. The project envisions co-creating practices that empower citizens to counteract the growing disconnection from water in urban settings. By addressing the pressing challenge of water management, the project seeks to inspire sustainable practices that endure beyond the installation itself. It offers a visionary approach to urban renewal, where functional solutions and environmental awareness come together to shape a resilient and connected urban future.
Through the elements of the artistic water-filtering installation, we plan to develop a Toolkit within the Łódź Pilot aimed at fostering a reconnection with water. The activities will be collaboratively designed and implemented with local stakeholders. Freedom Flow encourages engagement, creativity, and community involvement.
In recent months, the Łódź team has been dedicated to collaborative efforts aimed at prototyping an artistic installation designed to filter water and slow down rainwater runoff, based on the concept by Mona El Batrik.
Following the Residential Workshops held in Księży Młyn in Łódź, we focused on collaboration in creating, designing, and testing components for Freedom Flow. Be like Water.
Our Creative Agent visited the University of West Bohemia, where she had the opportunity to meet with Czech partners to explore the possibilities of 3D printing ceramic elements for water filtration.
The ongoing co-design process between the Creative Agent and the curators of the Łódź Pilot has resulted in the creation of initial designs for the Freedom Flow installation and its preliminary form.
These efforts have produced prototype shapes for 3D-printed ceramic vessels, as well as three types of filters, which will also serve as the foundational concept for developing the Toolkit—a key element of the local part of the project.
To initiate the process of creating effective filters with other natural components, we engaged in creative collaborative processes with local educators and designers specializing in rain gardens and floating islands. Their expertise is aimed at supporting the Łódź Pilot in developing a functional artistic installation.
Photo and design credits: Mona El Batrik / The Big Tiny Studio.
Published on: January 29, 2025
