

SCH+ARC studio proposes pop up playhouse for philly

image © SCH+ARC studio

all images courtesy of SCH+ARC studio



SCH+ARC studio, a young architecture firm based in philadephia, has designed a prototype in which play reactivates abandoned sites as places to learn and interact with the city’s built history. the structure recalls fairy tales and children’s books in which elements of the story become three dimensional when the page is turned. a series of historic facades are erected and sequenced to create space for exploration and fun. connectors provide lateral support, and partially enclose the ‘playscape’.

spaces are delineated by panels that represent different historic homes

image © SCH+ARC studio

‘pop up playhouse’ is fabricated out of durable panels made from 100% post-industrial wood and plastic waste, the waterproof structure is easy to cut and assemble. in the words of founder irina schneid, ‘simply pick out the stencil, pop out the panels, line them up, connect the openings, and inhabit.’



educational and fun, this PLAYscape is modeled after the above housing styles

image © SCH+ARC studio

each panel contains a life sized profile of a historic housing style significant to the city’s past. they reange from the austere-fronted federal style to the ginger-breaded shingle style. fabricated out of durable panels made from 100% post-industrial wood and plastic waste, the waterproof structure is easy to cut and assemble. simply pick out the stencil, pop out the panels, line them up, connect the openings, and inhabit.



the pop-up assembly method

image © SCH+ARC studio

each architectural style has its typical window and door shapes and proportions. as one connects to the other, the physical form of each connector piece modifies and is transformed along its length. the resulting tunnels, towers and passageways allow occupants to experience the evolution of building history in a single moment.

the number of panels can be increased according to the size of the site, such that no two schemes are the same

image © SCH+ARC studio

adaptable in both size and configuration, ‘pop up playhouse’ can be tailored for sites of any size. simply reduce the number of panels to create a more space efficient design, or increase the count to maximize the number of connector play spaces within. historical periods that exemplify the architecture of philadelphia become the jumping off point for its stylized panels, connecting programs which range from canopied seating to sandboxes and monkey bars.



connectors form slides, tunnels, overlooks and more

image © SCH+ARC studio

the way in which one arranges the panels informs an array of connector play spaces. they take shape from a ground level tunnel to an elevated look out, based on their connections among ground, windows, doors and rooves. these in-between volumes enable users to inhabit history, by climbing through its portals and peering through its apertures.



sections through various play spaces and connectors

image © SCH+ARC studio

the project was originally conceived as an entry for a design competition hosted by building trust international. the brief asked for a ‘PLAYscape’ proposal that creates community involvement and turns a neglected space into a place for public interaction and creativity. the jury awarded ‘pop up playhouse’ an honourable mention due to its originality and clever use of existing abandoned sites.



axonometric of all the parts – site, panels and connectors

image © SCH+ARC studio

david cole founding partner of building trust international said, ‘the layered facades of pop up playhouse peeled apart to create pockets for interaction and play was in a way a mini representation of the city with a clear message that both present, past and future generations should be engaged with to make our cities work better for everyone…it also looks pretty fun!‘



a prototype is planned for construction in philly during the summer of 2014

image © SCH+ARC studio

‘the aim of the competition was to show how creatively we can make cities fun places with opportunities for interaction and play. the competition sought out fun and exciting new ways to get people to interact with the urban environment on a different level. regeneration of cities should not just be about increasing value and foot fall but should capture people’s imaginations making them want to get involved and experiment with new things,’ said irina schneid, SCH+ARC founder. taking regeneration to the next step, the team is building a 1:1 scale prototype this summer in philadelphia.