Discovering Experiential Knowledge

A Public Interest Design (PID) Studio in Yankton, SD

Abstract

During the fall semester of 2017, I launched a new undergraduate design studio at DoArch that introduced students to the methods and process of community participation in the very early, problem definition stage of design. The project was based at Yankton, SD, which boasts of a few exquisite historic buildings in its downtown area but is also affected by issues of vacant lots and abandoned properties. In the past few years, the city administration has strived to upgrade Yankton’s consumption space through a public-private partnership.