Seattle PlayGround at Upstream

As a nod to the current state of omnipresent construction in the cityscape of Seattle, rented construction scaffolding was erected and used as an armature over which was stretched 20,000 lineal feet of elastic cord. The cord wound itself around the entire perimeter of the project, forming a diaphanous boundary and intriguing entry tunnel experience.

Project Type

Cultural

Location

Seattle, WA

Status

Temporary pavilion spring 2017

Size

1,600sf

Client

Visit Seattle

Collaborators

PB&, Maxon House, Eboy, Dowbuilt, Fixture Design Studio, Shogo Oto

Contractors

Best Practice Architecture & Dowbuilt

Seattle Playground Pavilion was conceived as part of the first-ever Upstream Music Festival, held in Seattle during the spring of 2017. The pavilion sponsor, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting travel and culture in Seattle, had a goal to provide space within the festival grounds for people to relax, learn about goings on in the city, and sample locally-sourced food and beverages. An indoor lawn was added next to the bar for lounging and relaxing, with a curtain of elastic cord acting as a divider between the two spaces. Linear LED lighting elements were added to light the entry tunnel, and a bulb-chandelier was suspended by cord to complete the space.

Plywood screening elements were then attached to selected portions of the scaffolding with simple connectors to create a semi-private retreat from the festival. The plywood doubled as a surface for hanging the custom, 21-foot-long “8bit Seattle” mural and for creating art.

"It was important to both client and design team that the structure and all of its components be easily disassembled and completely reusable, rather than merely recycling them. The team devised a detailed plan for reuse and recycle of all other items used in the project. "

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