Designing an End to ‘Global Boredom’

FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014


Architecture may mean more work than play, but a global competition has found a way to combine the two while transforming neglected public spaces.

The World Championship of Gameful Architecture is underway this week in Witten, Germany, where five international teams are competing to build the best playful temporary structure in just 72 hours.

The event ends Sunday (July 27). And, as organizer 72 Hour Interactions reports: "The stakes are high. The fight against Global Boredom is on."

Mor Arkadir / Bustler
Five international teams are competing this week to create the best "gameful" space in Witten, Germany, at the World Championship of Gameful Architecture. The first event (pictured) took place in Tel-Aviv in 2010.
Mor Arkadir / Bustler

Five international teams are competing this week to create the best "gameful" space in Witten, Germany, at the World Championship of Gameful Architecture. The first event (pictured) took place in Tel-Aviv in 2010.

NLB Corporation
APV Engineered Coatings

The challenge is to invite people to interact through play, hence, the “gameful” aspect.

The structures are to transform neglected public areas in Witten into spaces where people want to interact in play with one another.

Modern Safety Techniques
Quikspray, Inc.

The teams are comprised of 60 architects, game designers, craftspeople and city planners from around the world. Each team represents one city in the Ruhr Valley in western Germany.

The teams of 72 Hour Interactions 2014 are: Better Wetter, Hagen Bilder, Hattingen Dragon Slayers, Herdecke Sawhorses, Witten Truffle Pigs.

base painters
Just Like New Overspray Management

The first 72 Hour Urban Action competition took place in September 2010 as part of the Bat-Yam Biennale of  Landscape Urbanism in Tel-Aviv.

Tagged categories: Architecture; Building design; Building Envelope; Contests; Green building


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