Stay at The Foundry

Basic Information

The Foundry is a collective and self-organized project, where we are all using and taking care of a shared space in a non-hierarchical way. This is a work in progress and we are not claiming to have a perfect system. We try to put this vision in practice through the following principles:

• Doers decide. You don’t need to ask permission to show a movie or plant a tree. Communication is important, but feel free to develop initiative; that’s what the space is for!
• Make things possible for others. Leave space for others; don’t occupy all the physical space. Support other’s initiatives. Keep, help and take care of other people’s work, and work together to keep the space clean and organized. This also means there are limits to freedom, and we expect you to take others needs into account when you organise something.
• Act as host and guest at the same time. Some know the place better than others, but we all use and care for the place together. When new residents arrive those who already know their way around are expected to welcome them and show them around. When neighbours drop by, please represent the Foundry as best as you can.

Making a horizontal space like the Foundry work requires more communication rather than less, and a willingness to question your own position. We are all socialised in cultures that are steeped in patriarchy, capitalism and colonialism. None of us are pure and perfect, and we invariably reproduce patterns of exploitation and oppression, often without realising. Living together is an opportunity to learn about our selves as well as the kind of society we hope to see in future. This does not have to be revolutionary and complex. We can start by serving the aim of the Foundry to become a vibrant commons – not owned by anyone in particular. Those who make use of the space take care of the space; they renovate it, maintain it, and pay for its expenses. If you want to spend time here, think of what you want to contribute, whether it’s physical labour, organizational work, a nice meal for everyone, or simply help out with the costs.