In the design world, we talk about the power of prototyping. In simple terms, this is about creating models to text ideas as a means of progressing a design journey. When it comes to community buildings and spaces, the design journey continues after the architects and builders have left as users of the building experiment with how to use and adapt the spaces within. When occupying existing buildings, the journey of adaptation for new uses requires nimble design thinking and experimentation.
For this Chat, we are joined by Clare de Bathe of Connecting Spaces, who will share her experience of asset-based community development while Chief Executive at Chichester Community Development Trust, and what she has learnt about the power of experimentation in creating successful and sustainable community assets. Whether through pop-up activities, meanwhile uses or other ways to test the use and management of community spaces, we’ll consider why and how to design in experimentation.
About Glass-House Chats
Glass-House Chats are monthly hour-long online spaces for conversation and connection, to ask questions and explore ideas, approaches and methods, share learning and meet others.
Series 6 sees us collaborating with a range of inspiring people and organisations who will co-host sessions with us. Each guest co-host will help us bring focus, expertise and experience to conversations about different aspects of the design of places. From empathy to sustainability, we’ll unpick some of the successful ingredients of design and explore what great design can achieve.
About our Co-host
Clare de Bathe is a visionary CEO with 25 years’ experience in public and not-for-profit sectors. Leading Chichester Community Development Trust (CCDT) from 2012 to 2025 she grew it into a £3.5m organisation, pioneered community ventures, secured major investments, and won national awards for leadership, innovation, and impact in asset management and sustainable community development. Clare continues to work with CCDT within their consultancy, Connecting Spaces, as an advisor.
How to Take Part
Glass-House Chats are open to anyone with an interest in the event topic. No specific experience or expertise is required to join the conversation. We believe that our Chats only benefit from a wide mix of voices, interests and experiences.
These free online events are kept intentionally small so that everyone taking part can jump in and join the conversation. Where possible, we encourage participants to keep their cameras and microphones on, to pose questions and ideas, and to share stories and links.
To create a safe space for open discussion, the Chatham House Rule is applied. Key discussion points are collated, anonymised and shared after each session.
How to Book
Glass-House Chats are free events, but places are limited, so please register only if you plan to attend.
Please note:
We will record the Chat session to help with capturing the conversation, but this recording will not be made publicly available or shared outside The Glass-House team. Following the event, we will publish a blog capturing key discussion points, but rest assured that no-one will be quoted directly, and no participants will be named. Please feel free to email us at info@theglasshouse.org.uk if you have any queries.
