In an increasingly screen-centric world, taking a regular breather in the outdoors has never been more necessary.
100architects, an architectural firm based in Shanghai, has designed a multipurpose public facility that precisely encourages this activity. Interestingly, they do so with inspiration from no other than the screen.
Pixeland, an outdoor ‘playscape’ set in a residential neigbourhood in Mianyang, Sichuan, features a collection of colourful ‘pixels’ – square-shaped plots measuring 16.4 x 16.4 feet, as well as smaller plots of 8 x 8 and 4 x 4 feet.
“The project is inspired by the digital concept of pixels,” says the firm in a description of the project, designed to cater to children, young families, and adults. “While a pixel is the smallest independent sample of an image, it is the combination of numerous pixels that results in an image.”
Indeed Pixeland, set on a gently sloped parcel of land, is the combination of numerous such ‘pixels’, which each feature a unique function of its own.
There are areas for lounging and sitting, small amphitheatres for gathering, as well as picnic spots complete with tables and seating. At the heart of it is a voxelated horse-themed playground for children.
Right next to the playground is a multilevel checkered plaza, encouraging interaction both among people and with the space itself.
“Every pixel is a component with a different function,” says Marcial Jesus, founder and CEO of 100architects, which specialises in public spaces and landscape architecture. “The pixels are thus positioned to generate a hyper-stimulating hardscape of leisure activities.”
“What I find interesting about the project is the combination of pixel functions within nature and among themselves. The arrangement creates a unique combination that, as a whole, becomes a perfect platform for interactions not only among kids, but also adults,” he adds. “The project is a playscape for people of all ages.”
