Feminist Research Institute

SLLC WELCOMES THE FEMINIST RESEARCH INSTITUTE

The Feminist Research Institute is the newest SLLC community organization, recently moving their work and community space to the Northwest side of campus.  Sarah Rebolloso McCullough, Associate Director of the FRI provides crucial insight on our perception of shared learning and living space and integration with the SLLC community vision.  

“Now that we are here we want to work toward finding the right spatial and goal-oriented relationship with our neighbors, especially in how we relate to and experience nature in different ways like gardens, greenhouses, and the farm” she says.  “Relating to these spaces in an intentional way should integrate the histories of the land both recognizing exclusions and evictions on stolen Patwin territory and the richness of its potential to be an integrated learning and living space.” says McCullough.  Soon after FRI moved into their new space, McCullough led participants on a contemplative walk through surrounding garden to further imagine a future for the space around the FRI building which is now located in between the Experimental Community Gardens and the Domes co-operative housing community on Orchard Park Drive

Landscape Design Architect students have formed a team to help design what the spatial relationship between the EC Gardens, FRI and Domes community could look like.  Students take pictures of the space and take notes, before preparing a model cut from foam and cardboard that only includes existing buildings and permanent structures.  

Kenneth Sanhueza (pictured in black jacket) and LDA classmates put finishing touches on participatory design model for FRI and surrounding communities. Their work from the previous quarter is pictured on the wall of the FRI.
Kenneth Sanhueza (pictured in black jacket) and LDA classmates put finishing touches on participatory design model for FRI and surrounding communities.  Their work from the previous quarter is pictured on the wall of the FRI. 

Sustainable Environmental Design major and Landscape Design Architect student Kenneth Sanhueza explains that the model they are creating is an example of “participatory design” in which designers and architects provide tools for those who live or work in the space to realize their ideas and use that data as input for primary design decisions.  “It only makes sense that end users get to design the space how they would like to use and exist in it” he says.  

The future looks exciting for the FRI and neighboring communities as we continue to work together to actualize our visions for the SLLC master design.  The FRI community’s addition to the working minds and imaginations of the SLLC provides a crucial feminist lens to our collective work. “The FRI’s goal is to make sure feminism is intersectional, inclusive, justice-oriented and transformative” McCullough concludes. 

Check out the FRI’s website for the latest updates on their work and upcoming events.