Thomas Poulsen invited 3rd year students from the BA in Product Design to explore new ways of interacting with public space through interventions that enhance existing structures.
News
Public Spiritualism: rethinking public space through design
Date
13 October 2026
Design can transform the way we experience public space. This is the starting point for Public Spiritualism, a workshop led by the artist Thomas Poulsen, also known as FOS, which invites students to explore new ways of relating to public spaces through interventions that change how people spend their time.
Thomas Poulsen lives and works between Copenhagen and Venice. His artistic practice spans sculpture, installation, architecture and design, following an approach he defines as Social Design.
During the workshop students were invited to identify a structure in a park or along the street and intervene in it to create a new space. The aim is to rethink how people experience public places by introducing elements such as benches or chairs, encouraging people to slow down and reconsider their perception of time.
The project is built around three key concepts: designing interventions that blend seamlessly with the existing environment; adding new elements that interact with the original structure; creating contrast by introducing features that challenge expectations and inspire new perspectives.
The workshop demonstrates how design can transform everyday spaces into places to be experienced in new ways, encouraging a more mindful relationship with our surroundings.
You may be interested in:
Related courses
