Playescape -an urban swing set
Image: UDB - Playescape opening
Presented by Soft Serve Social
Location & date : November & December 2024, Glover Park
Project partners: Materials - LT McGuinness. Build - Dean Edgington, Spacecraft Construction.
Media & updates: Podcast
Soft Serve Social: Website
winner of kumara award!
Pōneke Kumara Award
Soft Serve Social, through the Playescape project, aspires to challenge and reimagine the essence of public spaces. By instilling a sense of safety and belonging, this project seeks to revel in the unbridled joy of being present, experience moments of serenity, and partake in the collective exuberance of communal living.
Looking to transform the act of sitting whilst giving permission to play, Playescape was located in Glover Park..The swing was an valuable experiment in re-balancing personal/emotional wellbeing in the urban environment of Te Aro. The act of sitting alone on a bench in the street is something that everyone should feel safe to do. However, in reality that isn’t always the case. Can we change this?
Made from sustainable materials sourced from construction waste and reusable resources, kindly supplied by LT McGuinness. This endeavor also echoes a commitment to environmental consciousness and responsible design practices, fostering a harmonious relationship between human activity and the natural world.
Glover Park being at the heart of Te Aro, with its vibrant culture and diverse populace, serves as an ideal canvas for Playescape's vision. In this bustling neighborhood, where the rhythm of daily life can often drown out the moments of introspection and connection, the project seeks to create an oasis of tranquility and playfulness. Enjoy…
Soft Serve Social are a group of creatives with backgrounds in art, architecture and design based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Yuri Takemoto, Moana Williams, Kitty MacIntyre- Hyatt, Florence Collins Caballero, Bonnie Chen and Annie James all care deeply about creating spaces for comfort, joy and community in the urban environment. They believe that collective experiences have the power to break down social barriers that prevent people from interacting in public space. And above all else, they value the power of play.
Images show the journey of imagination by the group as the project moved location,
negotiated compliance to be reimagined as Playescape - an urban swing.
Images below: Nichole June Productions
