What is a nontropolis?
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A Nontropolis is an old-world-charm tiny town or neighbourhood with an organic urban scape. The term, a neologism, was coined by creator Marcello Baaijens. A Nontropolis is the opposite of a metropolis, designed for efficiency and speed.
TV programmes such as 'America's Got Talent' show us how much we love it when souls sing, literally and figuratively. On that note, Marcello's soul 'sings' when he explores a Nontropolis, sits down in its streets and start sketching it essence.
The winding alleyways and mini piazzas that are like eddies next to a river's current, make up a Nontropolis. They slow down life, hold space for life, and allow for our souls to 'sing'. Metropolises often fail to meet the needs of the human soul.
One year Marcello could not travel to discover new Nontropolises and began creating his own miniature Nontropolis from timber offcuts.
Furniture
Furniture
All have been sold, more to come in 2027.
Merchandise
Urban sketches and the Nontropolis logo have been applied to a range of products that can be ordered online. A print-on-demand platform will manufacture the items near you, wherever you are in the world. Click on one of the images below to be taken to an external shop page where you can find the entire collection.
Marcello Baaijens, Creator
Marcello Baaijens, Creator
Marcello is a multi-creative. He has a MSc in Architecture, a Master in Art and Art Education, is a certified community dance tutor, and a certified holistic therapist. He has pioneered art studios and art educational opportunities for artists with intellectual disabilities, he pioneered Sitdance, a seated dance programme for residents in memory care setting, and empowered care facility staff to implement Sitdance through workshops and video resources. He has worked as a mentor, holistic healing facilitator, multimedia artist, and renovated/designed/built private dwellings.
Being retired has freed him up from the need to work for money, and led to the creation of Nontropolis. He is excited about its next chapter, and dreams of breathing new life into an actual Nontropolis.
Marcello is a Globalite who has lived in many places in the world and is in the process of moving to Galicia, Spain.
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