What (and where)
At Vestibule we create concise, permanent plaques that explain the history, function, and cultural significance of a variety of unique elements in our urban environment. Melbourne is our pilot city and the location of our first and current operations. It might be infrastructure, streetscape features, natural objects, or events which occurred in certain places. Each plaque is researched, written in plain language, and designed to be durable, discreet, and respectful of its surroundings.
Our aim is to help both residents and visitors better understand the place they inhabit, by making visible the engineering, craft, historical decisions and events embedded in public space. Our motivation is educational, non-commercial, and funded entirely by donations.
Why (and feelings)
Vestibule was inspired by a sense of frustration found when wandering around new cities void of rich tapestry of histories they hold. Big histories, tiny memories, the origin and type of that tree, the designer of a novel kerbstone design, each city holds an incalculable bank of fascinating memories, stories, and pieces of information that humans have collectively manifested. We are all the product of influence, and bathing in even skerricks of such knowledge harnesses the power to enrich our lives as we gather together the rich contexts of each place we visit. Through histories of place we develop respect for the places where we stand. We subsequently develop respect for the people who built these wondrous places, as well as a respect for what we build now. Our big-city world often lacks both village aspect as well as the patience required to contribute new assets for our world which will stand the test of time. Historical understanding may help rectify this, forging respect between people and the things we make.