With The Beach, Diana has developed a unique social design practice in the Amsterdam New-West area. Under her leadership, she built up a team and network of professionals and local residents. The Garage Notweg, a former car garage and repair workshop in the Wildeman neighbourhood, became The Beach’s home base since 2009. It has developed since into a recognised creative hub and innovative meeting place. From this local hub The Beach has initiated a wide range of socially sustainable activities by and with residents, with impacts well beyond the local neighbourhood.
Diana's way of 'local design' in and with the community (civic design) has proven to be exemplary for social and cultural projects in other urban areas and cities. Even in other European countries the socially sustainable (sustainist) design approach pioneered by The Beach has been acknowledged as a valuable model for social innovation and local citizen participation.
The Beach's journey began before the Foundation was established in 2007, driven by the quest to find collaborative and participatory design approach to create more liveable cities. Over the last fifteen years The Beach has developed into an organisation with a unique story, and a strong position in the cultural domain. Its success was made possible by its many partners and collaborators over the years, from co-founders Michiel Schwarz and Jan van Tiel to professionals and local residents, young and old, who right from the outset have made a commitment to collaborative learning and co-creation in local daily practice.
Diana: “What an extraordinary time it has been! Every day I experienced first-hand how designing with people in their living environment is radically different from what we once learned as designers. What I cherish most, are the many small and special moments of pleasure (as well the occasional unease!). I am particularly proud of the many programmes we managed to create, such as Gangmakers Designlabs, Wilde Chefs, Makers Unite, Studio Osdorperban, Atelier Naturelle, and the artistic research practices in the Wildeman neighbourhood and Tuinen van West. It has been an honour to be a part of making The Beach for what it is. I wish to extend my gratitude to everyone who has been involved in our adventure. Furthermore, without the unconditional support and commitment of my husband Frank Blom, The Beach would never have happened. Many thanks to all!
To hand over the baton to Teike fits wonderfully well into what The Beach is, and what it aspires to be: an organisation that is built upon meaningful relationships. We first worked together some 25 years ago, when Orgacom, the artist initiative lead by Teike and Elias Tieleman, carried out a commissioned project for Randstad, where I was design director. Ever since we kept track of one another, as well as losing sight, during the time when Teike lived in Istanbul. When, in 2021, we started to work together again, we discovered that there was still a lot we share. I wish her and the highly dedicated team at The Beach all the best!”
Diana's legacy and the significance of The Beach’s achievements are optimally safeguarded in the public domain. The Amsterdam City Archives adopts the Foundation's complete archives, and place them into the public collection. The documentation of all projects carried out since 2007 will be systematically deposited there, and made accessible to residents, students, designers and other interested parties.