Pixeland
100 Architects’ designs for public spaces seek to stimulate the user by offering colourful landscapes and intricate topographies that allow users to interact much more closely with objects and space, inviting them to jump, sit, climb, lie down, take a selfie and much more. All of the projects of the firm are intended for public use and invite users to interact by offering instant functions and experiences, encouraging the production of social dynamics, just like PIXELAND: a public space beautification that includes a combination of different outdoor structures in a single space that make it a pleasant urban landscape, including new games for children and leisure functions 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 colour information, it is the combination of numerous pixels what results in any given digital image.
Transferring this idea to the spatial organisation strategy of the project, 100 Architects set out to create a multifunctional public space by adding and combining smaller independent functional pixels. While each of the pixels has its own function and characteristics and can be read as an independent entity, the combination of all these spaces results in a very attractive and playful multifunctional public space.
The main pixel used in the core of the project is a perfect square of 5 x 5 m, the minimum space to accommodate functions suitable for a group of people; while approaching the boundaries of the perimeter, smaller pixels of 2.5 x 2.5 m and 1.25 x 1.25 m are introduced as a modular approach to resolve access, pedestrian circulation and landscaping at the border.
Surrounded by small pixels of greenery as a transitional solution to provide privacy and security that demarcate the space, the square also features relaxation areas, picnic areas with seating and tables, structures to provide shade, hollow benches, sloping lawns for lounging and small amphitheatres for meetings.
In addition to the leisure features, Pixeland also counts with a wide range of playful features scattered around, culminating in a themed playground in the centre of the square, to the delight and entertainment of younger visitors.
The chess square has been developed in a multi-level manner, providing an interesting artificial topography increasing in height towards the centre, where the horse-shaped game has been strategically placed.
Project details
Designer: 100architects
Location: Mianyang, Sichuan Province, China
Typology: public space
Built: 2019
Design team: Marcial Jesús, Javier González, Stefanie Schramel, Marta Pinheiro, Lara Broglio, Mónica Páez, Keith Gong.
Client: Dongyuan Dichan (东原地产)
Area: 1,560 m²
Photo Credits: © Amey Kandalgaonkar
100architects
100architects is an architecture studio that does not make buildings (at least not in the conventional way), but focuses on public spaces and spaces for entertainment of all kinds and variations. A team of young creative architects who focus their work at the intersection of placemaking, street art, landscape architecture and urban interventions, specialising in street architecture and urban interventions, both ephemeral and permanent architectural objects that encourage the occurrence of social dynamics and unique experiences, creating landmarks on a human scale. 100 is a professional studio founded in 2013 in Shanghai and is currently led by 3 partners – Marcial Jesus (Chile), Javier Gonzalez (Spain) and Jenny Fan (China).