B4C (Building 4 Change, “among other names”) was a year-long engagement with five young men who participated in the after-care program at the Norris Community Center, part of the Norris Homes public housing development. We formed a mock construction company, hoping to capitalize on all the surrounding renovation/gentrification happening in the blocks surrounding Temple University, under the guise of providing new student amenities.

We decided on several construction projects, fabricated them, and then offered them as services to the university students and security staff. Projects included:

A deployable guard tower/secret hideout (The Hideout/Headquarters)

A series of hand presses that printed newly designed and minted money, which we sold as art for actual US currency. (Machine that Prints $1000 Per Minute)

A portable VR rollercoaster. (Rollercoaster’s Rollercoaster)

All projects were built with materials up-cycled from the trash containers of the Tyler School of Art. The B4C crew were also allowed access to the Tyler buildings, were they participated in the community life of the school, including joining in many student critiques and activities.

Special Thanks to: Donna Richardson, Veronica Burton, The Staff at the Norris Community Center, Pepon Osorio, Carmnia Cianciulli, Jennie Shanker, Robert Holtzamn, Michael Frechette, and Jude Tallichet.