Meanwhile use as performance - rehearsing and performing community in temporary spaces

This paper explores the use of performance theory as a framework to conceptualise temporality and opportunity in a design research project examining community use of meanwhile spaces. Meanwhilehas developed as a term to describe the use of temporarily available space, typically due to stalled building projects or business failure. Growth of the meanwhile sector led the researchers to question how more social and community value could be gained from these spatial opportunities. Performance theory, with its emphasis on dynamic temporality was proposed as a framework that might provide for the conceptual shifts that would enable a sector that traditionally seeks permanent and long term development to make the most from these temporary opportunities. A design research study that included a practical intervention was undertaken. This paper reflects on the relationship between theory and practice in the project.