Play Pod
Like any metropolis, Sydney has a plethora of odd-shaped plots dotted around the city. This led Scott Carver and Hoyne to ask themselves – what is a living space? How can these city spots be better utilised to engage communities?
With a collective passion for places and great placemaking, Scott Carver and Hoyne have come together to create the Play Pod, a life-sized ‘Rubik’s Cube’ of outdoor activation for all ages to enjoy.
Low-cost, flexible and portable, the Play Pod is a modular, adaptable structure that can be manipulated to suit the needs of users, and easily relocated to activate new areas. And whilst on the surface it’s all fun and games, the Play Pod is also play with purpose; designed to increase the social value of a space by providing a platform for use, day and night.
Located at the southern end of The Goods Line (map here), the ever-changing venue will be adopting many forms to host a diverse collection of events designed to inspire and excite a range of audiences including children and families, students and adults.
A spot for kids to play. A space to unwind. A games room. A theatre. A stage… Whatever shape communities want it to take, this super-smart ‘shape-shifter’ is a space for everyone.
PLAY POD Q&A WITH SCOTT CARVER'S PLAY POD TEAM
Angela Biddle (AB): Principal of Interiors
Sarah Davis (SD): Senior Associate, Project Leader
How did Sydney Design Festival’s theme ‘Call to Action’ inspire the design for the Play Pod?
AB: Through the theme ‘Call to Action’ we wanted to demonstrate how design could bring people together and bring odd spaces to life in a beautiful and engaging way – turning spaces into places. The Play Pod responds to this by providing an object which can be reconfigured for a range of activities – a place to contemplate, a place to meet and collaborate, a place for entertainment – allowing communities to customise it suit their needs and truly make it their own. This is of particular importance in urban centres, where high-density living in smaller spaces means that public space is becoming an extension of our living space.
How does the Play Pod align with Scott Carver’s philosophy?
AB: At Scott Carver we strive to inspire and enrich communities by connecting people through design. We believe that placemaking through activating the public domain with a solution like the Play Pod is key to shaping vibrant and dynamic cities which foster engagement and interaction of their people.
What is your ultimate vision for the Play Pod and how do you see it being used in the future?
AB: I would love to see the Play Pod popping up across Sydney as community hubs – becoming platforms for family entertainment, pop-up food kiosks, open mic event to discover the next generation of local entertainers. It would be great to see the Play Pod’s brand evolve to take on the identity of their location an becoming an integral space for the community, in the way bandstands did in their time.
In your own words can you briefly explain what the Play Pod is?
SD: The Play Pod is essentially a human scale rubik’s cube that is manipulated and curated to respond to the needs of the community it is placed in. At Scott Carver we are human-centric and get a thrill out of designing places people want to dwell, be inspired by and live in. It is a real joy to have contributed to this dynamic urban design solution.
Can you please explain the design philosophy behind Play Pod?
SD: Our cities and the way people live in them are changing. The Play Pod responds to the increasing density in Sydney and provides a re-locatable place for people to gather, learn, play and be entertained. Technically, in a few words… curiosity and excitement. We have achieved this through bold materiality, reflection and light. Functionally, the Play Pod’s components needed to be intuitive and easy to manipulate.
Can you explain how the structure of The Play Pod works?
SD: The design of the Play Pod is comprised of 3 units linked together which hinge apart from one another.
Each side has panels which open and close to suit the event and urban context it’s located in. Inside users will find interactive large scale peg boards, a table, seats, shelves, lockers, and even the city’s smallest cinema thanks to the creativity of our partners at Hoyne. What I love about the Play Pod is that the possibilities truly are endless!
Details:
Morning sessions, designed for children and families, include a theatre inspired playgroup from Monkey Baa Theatre, and a Great Book Swap held in support of The Indigenous Literacy Foundation. The Children’s Book Council of Australia will be running a handful of morning and lunchtime events encouraging children’s literacy, a love of reading and learning through storytelling. Afternoon sessions will include a series of activations presented in partnership with University of Technology Sydney students and Professors, and during the evenings the Play Pod will be transformed into Sydney’s smallest cinema showing a series of short films.
2-11 March, 2018
Information about the Play Pod and details of the session times
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