In 2009 we co-founded the organization Palomar5 (www.palomar5.org). With the support of Deutsche Telekom as our main sponsor, we were able to organize and facilitate an interdisciplinary 6-week commune-like innovation camp. In an old 2000sqm Berlin based factory, 28 globally selected young participants lived and worked together around the topic 'the future of work'. The camp not only triggered the start of various projects but developed greater awareness and human interaction as well. It was an incredible and sustainable experience for us and everyone involved.
Having had some time to reflect and exchange, we realized what great potential such carefully curated and passionately facilitated commune-like events can have for both young creatives and organizations & foundations. There were many ways to push Palomar5 further. With that in mind, the three of us decided to build a newly named, agile boat and set sail again: until we see new land! We steer towards what we feel we're best at: the design, execution and facilitation of unconventional short- and longterm event formats to rethink and reframe challenging topics. Formats that will allow our participants to develop new visions and actionable ideas & prototypes.
For 2011, we are already planning two camp-like formats where we´ll set out to explore new 'lands' (topics) in a cooperative and playful atmosphere. By 2012, we intend to have conquered and settled a permanent 'isle' (house) in Berlin. We will put our hardest effort into developing this isle as a space that triggers unusual thinking through conversations, architecture, art and actions. It will also host event formats that benefit from working and living together under one rooftop. This goal can only be reached with a lot of visionary helping hands. That´s why we want to conceptualize our 'isle' in an open design manner and let international creatives continuously add further 'awesomeness' to the space in a permanent residency program.
In everything we do we stick to the following principles:
Collaboration is the new competition.
Openess: doors instead of windows.
Talk is cheap, do stuff.
Fail fast, fail often.
Diversity is key.
Learn and grow together.
... but more than anything else we believe in fun, trust and passion.
Simon