The multifunctional public space of Pixeland by 100 Architects
30/04/2019.
[Mianyang] China
metalocus, MARÍA REDONDO
metalocus, MARÍA REDONDO
Description of project by 100 architects
PIXELAND is a public space beautification comprising a combination of different outdoor facilities in a single space, such as landscape features, playscape features for kids and leisure features for adults.
The project is inspired by the digital concept of pixels. While a pixel is the smallest independent sample of an image with its own RGB or CMYK color information, it is the combination of numerous pixels what results in any given digital image.
Transferring this idea to the spatial organization strategy of the project, we thought of creating a multifunctional public space by the addition and combination of smaller independent functional pixels. While each of the pixels has its own function and characteristics and could be read as an independent entity, the combination of all of them results in a very eye-catching and playful general multifunctional public space.
The main pixel used in the core of the project is a perfect square of 5 x 5 m., as the minimum space to host functions suitable for a group of people, while as we get closer to the borders, smaller pixels of 2,5 x 2,5 m. and 1,25 x 1,25 m. are introduced as a modular approach to solve the accesses, the pedestrian circulation and the landscape in the border.
Surrounded by small pixels of greenery as a border solution to provide privacy and safety confining the playscape, the plaza is also equipped with lounge resting areas, picnic areas with seats & tables, seating box structures to provide shadow, sunken communal benches, sloped lawns to lay down and small amphitheaters for gatherings.
Besides the leisure features, Pixeland also counts with a wide range of playful features scattered around, culminated with a voxelated Horse-themed playground in the middle of the plaza, for the joy and entertainment of the younger visitors.
The checkered plaza has been developed in a multilevel way, providing an interesting artificial topography growing in height towards the center, where the voxelated horse is strategically placed on the top.
100architects is an online-based architecture studio that operates by means of hyper-connectivity, constantly broadcasting public ideas for developing cities.
100architects was founded in January of 2013 in Shanghai, China by the architect Marcial Jesus (Chile) who soon invited Madalena Sales (Portugal) and Pablo Juica (Chile) to participate as the main co-founders.
The main offices are located in Shanghai (China) and Santiago (Chile), however we experience high mobility; 100architects is not permanently attached to a specific ground.
The practice develops Exposed Architecture: Highly proprioceptive, designed for public interaction; a typology of architecture to be openly used from the exterior by the masses. Exposed Architecture aims to offer experiences and to encourage the production of social dynamics.
The studio pursues innovation by 3 main core functions: Design-100architects is a design studio; Broadcasting- 100architects is constantly broadcasting public ideas and remarkable works worth spreading through its channels and Endorsing-100architects is a research-focused practice.