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 is a public playscape with a multitude of functions housed in their own pixel. (Photo: Courtesy of 100architects)
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.
For those keen on selfies, the colourful site meets Insta-worthy standards. (Photo: Courtesy of 100architects)
“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.”
A voxelated horse-themed playground for children sits in the centremost area, also the highest in elevation. (Photo: Courtesy of 100architects)
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.
Colourful slides on a gentle slope lead to a picnic area complete with tables and seating. (Photo: Courtesy of 100architects)
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.
Pixeland invites kids and the kids-at-heart alike to enjoy its premises, with activities that include lounging, gathering, and simply laying under the sun. (Photo: Courtesy of 100architects)
Right next to the playground is a multilevel checkered plaza, encouraging interaction both among people and with the space itself.
Structures such as slides, multi-level seating and shaded areas provide a multitude of ways to engage and interact with the built environment. (Photo: Courtesy of 100architects)
“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.”
Pixels of greenery border the area. (Photo: Courtesy of 100architects)
“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.”
(Photo: Courtesy of 100architects)
