BDP architects: music box installation

‘music boxes’ by BDP architects at the manchester international festival located in manchester, united kingdom images courtesy of BDP architects

british practice BDP architects has collaborated with the manchester international festival to design the ‘music boxes’ installation for the manchester international festival 2011 in salford quays docks in manchester, united kingdom. for children of all ages, the playground’s peripheral boundary is formed by 78 shipping containers. randomly arranged and stacked to a maximum vertical extent of three containers, this configuration generates an ideal euphonic environment. enveloping visitors in an elliptical form, sound reflects and resonates across the space creating unique musical intersections waiting to be discovered.

entrance

a white canvas canopy formed from truck tarpaulins is suspended above the area providing a sheltered retreat for the event’s visitors. graphic banners strung to the ends of the boxes differentiate the diverse interior experiences. performance spaces, theaters, recording studios and creative or interactive rooms are dispersed throughout the various units. child sized creative play stations are scattered throughout the exhibit with a consistent industrial character.

central gathering space

children play with interactive stations

(left) shipping containers house different musical experiences (right) visitors take a moment to rest in the space

performance stage

movie theater within a container