Experiment 001: portugal
Context & Insight
Throughout my experiences—from refugee camps to corporate spaces and regenerative gatherings—the same call echoes: “We need to change the world.” For years, I believed change came through controlling external systems. However, I realized true transformation happens when we focus on changing ourselves. When we shift our internal patterns, the world around us responds. This idea aligns with teachings from Taoism to living systems theory, and echoes Einstein’s belief that we must change our way of thinking to solve the problems we’ve created.
Hypothesis
Experiment 001 explored the concept that when people question and shift their internal mental models, they create new ways of being that lead to regenerative systems in the outer world.
Inner Work supported by Space Design
The 10-day event was structured across three interconnected levels:
Inner: Focused on personal awareness through meditation and self-reflection.
Inter: Developing group dynamics using non-violent communication and facilitation techniques.
Holo: Applying these insights to larger systems using a regenerative community project as a real-world case study.
Vignette Stages
A key design element was the creation of micro vignette stages crafted from found materials on the land. These stages, scattered throughout the natural environment, each cultivated a specific energy or theme for participants to explore during the day. Moving through these spaces mirrored the flow of our internal and collective work:
Sensing – Using body awareness and interaction with the land to sense what's alive within and around us.
Interrupting – Bringing new frameworks to shift perception, with speakers such as Buddhist monks and systems thinking experts.
Embodying – Ritualized practices held at specific vignettes allowed participants to embody these shifts in energy, from grounded reflection to collaborative creation.
Integrating – Each stage transition provided a moment of integration, where participants could apply the day’s insights.
Energy Shifts Perception
The environment and energy we create affect how we perceive reality. By using nature’s materials, we were able to cultivate spaces that fostered vitality and creativity.
External vs. Internal Locus: Shifting focus from fixing external systems to aligning our inner energy with natural rhythms fostered ease and regenerative practices.
Movement and Space Design: The progression through micro vignette stages encouraged participants to slow down, physically and mentally, allowing more space for meaningful change.
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