How can design enable dialogue in contested public spaces? Contribute your ideas to this participatory architectural installation and join in the discussion at the series of events for the ArchiteXX-led design action for the last remaining abortion clinic in Mississippi.

Design is a powerful, effective and often under-utilized tool in addressing the complexities of contested spaces. How can design enable dialogue in contested public spaces? Private Choices Public Spaces is grounded in the work recently published Lori Brown’s book, Contested Spaces: Abortion Clinics, Women’s Shelters and Hospitals. To frame the conversation, Lori will share a brief overview of her research on the legal and legislative decisions impacting the architecture and geography of access to reproductive healthcare. The panel to follow will further illuminate this socially and politically charged issue and how design intersects in expanding the conversation.

Filmaker Maisie Crow and writer Alissa Quart have created a personal portrait of the effects of abortion restrictions in Mississippi in The Last Clinic. Using excerpts from their soon to be completed film, this panel brings together key stake holders in Mississppi to discuss the ramifications for women seeking care in Mississippi and ways the Jackson’s Womens Health Organization is successfully remaining open despite legislative efforts to permanently close the clinic.

Calling all interested Designers, Artists, Thinkers, Makers, and Builders! ArchiteXX calls you to collaborate with us in a practice of active citizenship through design as we integrate the ongoing dialogue into potential design solutions for implementation at the Mississippi clinic. During this concentrated session, we will draw from ideas contributed via postcard and generate schemes to further develop into the eventual intervention to be realized in summer 2015. Please bring your design tools of choice.