A Convertible Public Space
The site of the project is located in Seattle Cente, where the 1963 World's Fair took place. The whole area has it's own unique history, that was crucial to shaping the city it is now.
Ever since its construction it represented the possibility to create the future and the whole City of Seattle started to be identified with innovative and bold solutions.
Our proposal for a new public space in the very heart of Seattle Center aims to revive and strengthen such vision and create a new symbol for the entire city.
Currently, the site is occupied by a Memorial Stadium that accommodates a various number of activities of high social significance. Therefore, our primery goal was to develop a flexible space that not only preserves, but also celebrates them and, thus, reinforces the social value of the space.
Our solution is to create a moveable space that adapts itself to any activity and, therefore, offers an infinite amount of forms and possibilies. It is composed out of 6m x 6m elements mounted on a hydrolic system and is arranged in a shape of a rectangle.
When every side of this rectangle is inclined, the space transforms into a stadium for a basketball, football or a tennis competitions.
With one side inclined, it takes a shape of a theater and a movie can be diplayed or a concert can be organized.
Additionally, the ceiling of a space below, being defined by a movable surface, provides an ever changing space for a temporary exhibition or a local market.
Being protected from the rain and sun, it creates a one-of-a-kind social space.
The lowest level is not visible from the campus and accomodates a huge car park and technical facilities.
The whole structure is surrounded with a green belt of trees and other vegitation to provide a shadow and fresh air during the summer. It also acts as an extension to existing green corridor inside the Seattle Center, creating a very pedestrian friendly space.
