Playground


The common architecture of play today are kits of stiff and bulky plastic representations of natural objects. They are distributed around the world and plopped into suburban areas, their lack of site integration is a reflection of the developments they inhabit.  They are assemblages of equipment with obvious implied actions (slide, swing, etc) in a code conforming manner, making sure to include the swing with the safety cage amongst the three “normal” swings, polarizing the abilities of one user to another. Limited creativity is required to navigate the play sequence, body movements and feelings are predictable.

Hearkening to the abstract playgrounds and artistic playgrounds of the mid century, non-directive play objects and spaces encourage users to think creatively and collaboratively about how to use the objects, agency and imagination shape their play spaces.

The community of Corktown in Detroit has transformed into a popular neighborhood for artists and families. This project aims to provide a space of play and leisure for the growing community by manipulating the landscape into a optimized place for users to explore a variety of bodily experiences. By losing the sense of gravity through floating, emphasizing it through falling, and defying it through climbing, one begins to experience themselves and their environment in a new way.

Recognition

Ronald R. Gourley Award for Design Excellence:

Awarded by architecture faculty and graduating seniors, this award is given to the graduating student whose Capstone project exemplifies simplicity, clarity, honesty, integrity, and naturalness, respects the earth, and integrates positively with its local environment.

William G. Ure, III Memorial Award:

Awarded by graduation seniors, this commemorative award is presented to that graduating student whose educational career and personal demeanor have reflected the attributes of courage, modesty, altruism, and honesty.

Detroit, Michigan
Public playground and park

Capstone Thesis Studio
Instructor: Bill Mackey

2016


process models; steel, lycra, netting, digital collage

The study models are an exploration of the variety of spaces and uses that can be created by layering and manipulating fabric in tension. These studies were then translated to the undulations of the playground




    push and pull; Pushing the urban into the playground, pulling the playground into the urban. As one walks along Michigan Ave, the transition into the park space is seamless, marked only by the gradual upward movement of the ground below.



    urban roof; the urban landscape reaches into the park and drapes over the locker room space. The gradual vertical movement upward from the sidewalk provides prospect out to the surrounding context, as well as views to the baseball game below.



    slow path, fast path; the outfield is bound by a serpentine path providing opportunities for both slow activities and fast activities. Movement around the path is marked by rising and falling walls as the path cuts through the undulating grounds.




    transformation; The park reflects the transformation of the seasons in Detroit. The fast path turns to ice and the mounds are blanketed  in snow to provide new activities such as ice skating and sledding.  


modules of infinite play;

Built as an installation for the Playground project, modules of mounds and bowls come together to form an undulating landscape of play that is seemingly infinite.

CNC cut foam, recycled fabric