Imagine if buildings were sentient; absorbing and storing the events and changes in the city around them as well as the memories and experiences of the communities of humans who’ve loved them. Imagine if we could gather together and celebrate the secret life of a building.

Sentient City brings Part Exchange Co writers together with Limbic Cinema audio-visual artists to create vivid, accessible and celebratory community events.

Sentient City uses a process of creative engagement with local communities that reveal the fascinating, hidden stories and narratives about a valued local building and – incorporating Limbic Cinema’s extraordinary visual magic with the storytelling wizardry of our writers – co-designs a participatory event inspired by this material.

The project brings communities together, enhances people’s sense of well-being about a place and produces a community celebration to live long in the memory.

Watch Limbic Cinema’s showreel.

If you would like to commission a Sentient City event or hear about current Sentient City plans please contact: rachel@partexchangeco.org.uk

This is an Engine House seed idea developed with support from Arts Council England.