Natalie Novik

About Natalie Novik

My work lies at the intersection of architecture, design and art fields. In my current practice I work closely with topics of self-organisation, especially in the field of cultural institutions, urban commons, collective use of spaces and collective care. My intention is to understand the practice of commoning conducted by non-architects. Among my research interests are the notion of sharing spaces, low-impact ways of living and downshifting within the built environment.

I hold a master's degree in architecture and urban planning from Chalmers University of Technology, and currently I am enrolled in doctoral studies at HDK-Valand Academy of Art and Design in Gothenburg. My research project Rethinking urbanism. Co-creation as curatorial practice aims to explore participation beyond the rhetoric of inclusion and widen the understanding of this term through methods of critical spatial practice, with particular focus on urban curating and commoning.

Since 2018 I run my own studio that focuses on dialogue processes for urban development projects and uses games as a method. I work with different population groups, including children and young people, self-organised groups and community initiatives. Through applying principles of urban curating I focus on developing prototypes for co-design methods that can help to conduct collective design processes, but more importantly act as a megaphone tool for nomadic presence in space.

Talking about practical applications of my work, over the time I have explored various mediums, such as mobile and DIY architecture, installations, working with unconventional, reused and repurposed materials and so on. Methodologically speaking my practice includes working with communities, codesign, collective action, dialogue process, as well as developing applied tools for those methodologies.