Demi Haarman

In my life, I am surrounded by many different social circles that I greatly value. Each circle is unique. Some are larger, others are more active; some I see more often, while in others I feel more comfortable expressing myself. Since social interaction plays a major role in my daily life, this will be the subject of my graduation project. 

The Makers Circle is a creative center located in the Maagjesbolwerk in Zwolle, designed with the goal of encouraging social interaction. Rather than focusing solely on the development of creative skills, the main emphasis is on bringing people together and fostering connections. The workshops take place over multiple days, and participants work in fixed workshop groups organized by age. This creates opportunities for recognition, trust, and the gradual development of social relationships. 

By allowing participants to work in consistent, age-oriented groups, the barrier to social interaction is lowered, and a sense of belonging develops more quickly. 
An important spatial element within the design is the “catwalk”: a flexible table system on rails that can move throughout the space. It can function as one long table, be separated into smaller sections, or be arranged in different configurations. This central feature encourages meeting, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas. At the same time, the catwalk serves a symbolic purpose: participants can walk across it and present themselves, helping to build self-confidence and encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones. 

The Makers Circle distinguishes itself from existing creative initiatives by using creativity as a tool for social connection. The design demonstrates that when a space is intentionally created to promote interaction and encounters, it becomes more than just functional—it can also contribute to individual well-being and strengthen social cohesion within the city. 
 

Demihaarman93@gmail.com