Community play installation

Designed with young people for Balsall Heath Library and Moseley Road Baths

CLIENT: Intervention Architecture

CATEGORY: Arts and Culture

PROJECT TYPE: Community-focused, installation design, fabrication, installation

LOCATION: Birmingham, UK

MATERIALS: Birch plywood, mixed materials

PHOTOGRAPHER: Paul Millar

FILM: Dion Barrett

APPROACH:

Project lead Intervention Architecture invited us to co-design a sensory play installation as part of the ‘Imaginarium’ creative pilot to explore how the library can support storytelling and narrative for a broad range of audiences.

With a playful approach and led by the young people, Intervention Architecture hosted a series of sensory workshops with local school groups. In response, we created Loop the Loop, a performing space and a range of mobile furniture and objects. This showcased the sensory materials that were discovered during the workshops and visual qualities which are complementary to architectural features such as the arched details found within the library.

All aspects of this project are focused on exploring, playing and storytelling. There are viewfinders to alter your perception, wheelie carts for a fun adventure around the library or as a place to rest and read.  These are housed under a playful arched structure, which can be transformed in a variety of ways. Loop the loop creates an exciting focal point for library visitors and was brought to life and activated by the performers from the Open Theatre, who specialise in non-verbal, physical and inclusive theatre for young people with learning disabilities.

Local Schools included Uffculme School, Balsall Heath CATS, Calthorpe Academy.