Back in July, Playable Cities held a competition to find the next bright idea to make journeys in Bristol a little more exciting.
Stop, Smile, Stroll by Hirsch & Mann won the 2016 Playable City Award with their idea to put the spring in our steps as we use pedestrian crossings. Hirsch & Mann was inspired by the monotonous routine of walking to work and came up with the idea to create a 30-second crossing party – having been granted the £30,000 funding, the team now want to get this project in motion.
“As further people join the dance floor, more and more of the crossing’s surrounding furniture will progressively light up and transform into a disco!”
In order to do this, the creators of this unique project are calling you to give them a helping hand. Anyone and everyone has been invited to the upcoming workshop where Hirsch & Mann hopes it can gain a greater insight into what it means to be a pedestrian in Bristol.
Daniel and Katrin from the company will be leading the free event, held at the Watershed in Bristol on 2 February. They want to know what you love and what you hate about your travels to work, school or elsewhere.
Getting Bristol to boogie
Stop, Smile, Stroll works by pressing a traffic light button to ignite speakers and a dance floor, bringing the crossing to life. In addition, a spotlight will guide you across the road, imitating the lights of a stage performance.
Hirsch & Mann explains, “As further people join the dance floor, more and more of the crossing’s surrounding furniture will progressively light up and transform into a disco!”
We’re all eager to see this idea come to fruition. Clare Reddington, Watershed’s Creative Director and Chair of the Playable Cities Judging Panel says: “We are very excited to collaborate with Hirsch & Mann as this year’s Playable City Award winners.
“Making work for pedestrian crossings has huge international potential and we are really looking forward to working with them and the people of Bristol to make something surprising, playful and tourable.”
If you’re interested and willing to provide some insight, you can sign yourself up to Playable Cities event today! You can also give them a follow on Twitter here: @PlayableCity.
