OfAS – Office for Artistic Surveying

The Office for Artistic Surveying is a method developed by social.form (Darmstadt) for emotional and subjective exploration of urban spaces. It complements conventional, quantitative urban planning tools. As “head of office” at OfAS, artists and designers gain situated knowledge and insights into existing structures, neighbourhoods and districts.

Designers and artists can take on the role of head of office as part of a one-month residency. Together with the urban community, they map and explore the surroundings. The areas of application are manifold: whether city centre, periphery, leftover spaces or rural areas. An artistic mapping always makes sense when it comes to situated knowledge and emotional access to specific places and communities.

Social.form is a professional planning office based in Darmstadt that specialises in designing and creating processes, objects and spaces. Using form and built space, community and coexistence with others are explored, negotiated and actively shaped.