Transforming Public Spaces with Modular Street Furniture
In April 2023, READ Architecture collaborated with @E.S and @A.L on our design proposal for URA’s PLAY @ Punggol Design Competition. We had a fun time reimagining the potential of playfulness in public spaces.
The role of public spaces in shaping local culture and identity has been a subject of significant inquiry in the field of architecture. We started our investigation by analyzing the functional spatial elements commonly found in public spaces - from street furniture to lamp posts. They carry immense cultural value, as they serve as essential markers of public life, defining the character of a city or neighbourhood. In Singapore, some have even obtained an iconic status locally, for example, the tiled fixed table and stools found in our HDB void decks. Street furniture comes in a variety of designs, ranging from iconic to dull. However, they are always fixed and predetermined, fixtures with a consigned function for public use.
In response to this, our design proposal, Zhng Your Space (also known as Modify Your Space), seeks to disrupt this status quo and empower users to reimagine and reconfigure public space elements, thereby transforming functional street furniture into performative spatial art sculptures that reflect an ever-changing landscape of social activities.
The design proposal is a modular system of components that individuals can configure to create their own street furniture and "leparks" - unique public spaces. Our kit of parts comprises four components: blocks with slots, base stands of varying heights, metal hollow sections of varying lengths, and timber panels of varying sizes.
Sustainability:
As a reflection of Punggol's innovative spirit as Singapore's first Eco-Town, our proposal encourages upcycling material waste to create a green living environment. We use recycled wood logs to create the timber panels and cast the recycled timber off-cuts and chips together with cement and resin to make the blocks.
Configuration:
The configuration process is straightforward. Users start by situating a base stand in an open space and then stack the blocks onto the stand, either horizontally or vertically. The blocks can rotate 360 degrees around the base stand pole, thanks to the slots, and users can insert metal hollow sections into the required slots and top them with timber panels to create seats and table tops.
Application:
We have used the components to form an open pavilion that showcases different ways to configure the furniture. We propose organizing casting workshops using recycled timber chips to raise awareness of sustainable practices. Additionally, miniature 3D-printed versions of the module sets will be placed on tables, allowing people of all ages to visualize their interventions quickly. The process of making encourages social interaction among friends and strangers.
At the sand playground, where otters are commonly seen, we propose forming the components into small observation pods for nature watching and otter spotting. We also plan to form the components playfully into sculptures that may attract otters to explore.
Empowering Public Space:
Zhng Your Space empowers individuals to create their interventions as expressions of their engagements. By using the kit of parts, the public can add another layer of vibrancy to public spaces, transforming functional street furniture into performative spatial art sculptures. The public is encouraged to be creative with the components, providing opportunities to make their own public space.
In summary, Zhng Your Space offers an innovative way to transform public spaces, enabling individuals to create distinct and personal memories that reinforce a sense of place. Our modular system of street furniture offers endless possibilities for users to participate, configure, and interact with their environment, contributing to a more vibrant and engaging public space.
