The Meeting Place – Laneways: By George! Hidden Networks | ASPECT Studios

The Meeting Place, image courtesy of ASPECT studios | Photo by Florian Groehn

The Meeting Place, image courtesy of ASPECT studios | Photo by Florian Groehn

‘The Meeting Place’ by ASPECT Studios is a playful architectural installation in Little Hunter Street, Sydney, NSW Australia. The idea of the installation is to encourage the social interaction, while heightening the movement of people through the urban room.

People have to negotiate their way through the laneway by communication and contact with other people like themselves that are moving in the opposite direction.

ASPECT Studios

+ Design statement courtesy of ASPECT Studios

Overview: Design and construction

‘THE MEETING PLACE’ is part architectural installation/ sculpture and social experiment. It is a playful installation which encourages participation and interaction whilst heightening the experience of moving through the urban space of Little Hunter Street.

The Meeting Place, image courtesy of ASPECT studios | Photo by Simon Wood

The concept is to create a space within the existing the lane way – by creating two 4m high curtain walls of elastic fabric. The material has an opacity to it which allows for views through and when lit at night becomes a canvas for revealing movement of people through the space.

The Meeting Place, image courtesy of ASPECT studios | Photo by Simon Wood

People have to negotiate their way through the laneway by communication and contact with other people like themselves that are moving in the opposite direction.

This social aspect of watching, communicating and negotiating with people will increase positive human contact with a sense of play.

+ Project credits / data

Project Title: The Meeting Place – Laneways: By George! Hidden Networks
Location: Little Hunter Street, Sydney, NSW Australia
Client: City of Sydney Council

Landscape Architects / Lead Consultants: ASPECT Studios Pty Ltd

Project Collaborators:
Architect: Herbert & Mason
Industrial Designer: Derlot Studio

Completion: 2009

Photographers: Florian Groehn, Simon Wood Photography

+ All images courtesy of ASPECT Studios