Move-in Moerwijk

Listen

Move in Moerwijk is a soundscape installation that challenges the way we perceive and understand stigmatized communities. Set in Moerwijk, a neighborhood in The Hague often overshadowed by negative labels, this project invites the audience to slow down, listen, and experience the tapestry of voices that make up this diverse area. Through a 10-minute sound journey, the installation captures the stories and thoughts of Moerwijk’s residents, blending them into a final musical piece promoted as the only single of Move in Moerwijk "record label."

From top down labels to bottom up labels

The metaphor of creating a "record label" from a labeling problem lies at the heart of Move in Moerwijk. In traditional contexts, labels serve to categorize and often oversimplify; however, in this project, the label becomes a tool for revealing rather than flattening. The final musical composition, crafted in collaboration with Argentinian musician Polo, layers the voices of Moerwijk’s inhabitants based on their time of residence in the neighborhood, creating an unexpected and interesting soundscape. This approach not only challenges the stereotypes associated with the neighborhood but also proposes a new way of thinking about labels in design—where labels are not fixed, but fluid, evolving constructs.

As a tool for design

Move in Moerwijk reflects on a different methodology for approaching and representing stigmatized places. By centering the voices and stories of the community, the project encourages designers to approach beyond outdated stereotypes and engage deeply with the people and places they design for. This approach, which combines listening, empathy, and interdisciplinary collaboration, highlights the importance of embracing complexity in design rather than simplifying concepts.