The Newport Placemaking Kit was a small but impactful project exploring how simple, reusable tools can help communities activate and take ownership of public space.

The project centred on the design and fabrication of a “placemaking kit in a box” – a collection of practical elements such as benches, signage, small tables, banners and decorations that can be used to transform open spaces into welcoming places for gathering, creativity and community activity.

The kit was co-designed with local schoolchildren and community groups through creative sessions, before being fabricated using materials, tools and skills from the Sawdust workshop. The aim was to create a flexible set of components that could support temporary events, neighbourhood activities and small scale place improvements in the local community.

The project also supported a wider creative programme being developed in Newport by Freestyle Community Projects, including a celebratory community event, held on the grassed area at the end of Leven, Laycock, Orwell and Mills Streets. The placemaking kit provided the physical infrastructure to help bring this event to life – places to sit, structures to display artwork and welcoming elements that encouraged people to gather and spend time together.

Importantly, the kit was designed as a long-term community resource rather than a one-off installation. After the event it was donated to Freestyle Community Projects to support ongoing activity through Sharecycle, a lending library of useful items that local residents and groups can borrow for future events and activities.

As part of the design process, Sawdust worked with young people from Archibald Primary School at the KFC Youth Foundation in Middlesbrough to explore ideas about good public space. Through workshops, children voted on what elements should be included in the kit and helped shape its look and feel.

The result was a practical, community-designed toolkit that supports connection, creativity and community-led change in Newport.

This project was funded by Arts Council England and Thirteen Group.