'Created Space' was initiated in 2007, when a partnership between Shetland Arts Development Agency, Shetland Independent Living Project ( I.L.P.), and Hjaltland Housing Association secured funding to support a project which would aim to engage the tenants of a new, purpose built supported housing unit, in the creative process of designing the outdoor area at the centre of the housing cluster. As lead artist, myself and an assistant artist, Kristi Cumming, were appointed to work alongside a group of I.L.P. service users; to facilitate the development of a low maintenance garden design which would reflect the needs, interests, tastes and aspirations of the service users. Through a number of research trips and workshops, where different aspects of garden planning were considered, not least climate ..... a final plan was drawn up, loosely inspired by wind and weather chart patterns, which offers a range of sensory experiences, and contains areas for recreational and educational activities for tenants, staff and also visitors from the wider community.
Update Sept 2009: Phase 1, the hard landscaping has been completed using slabs produced by a local company which uses crushed recycled glassas as the agregate. These were then etched with text and motifs produce by ILP service users during the earlier workshops. A water feature has been installed, and the planting completed. Proposals are being currently invited from Shetland based artists for several features for the garden.