Client: Straz Center for the Performing Arts

Overview

“Why sit when you can play” is a musical public park bench sparking community activity and social interaction through play. The bench has a unique form that encourages different levels of seating interaction. It becomes an iconic gesture that brings activity to a the river walk. The bench has two musical sections with each section containing two octaves of notes that can be played with attached mallets. The bench is made of powder coated steel and the bars are aluminum. This musical bench is one of our many playable products, and can be fully customized for any space.

Goals

The bench is one of our playable products that is looking at the idea for play to exist in everyday spaces, and encourage people to think about these spaces that could become PLAYces: like a crosswalk, park bench, building facade, sidewalk, bus stop, or just the everyday space in-between. These often once boring or underutilized situations can turn into stimulating, creative outlets for social interaction and community activity through the idea of play.