This two-week summer activation was designed to draw people to an under-used public space in Leeds. We collaborated with Leeds City Council, Leeds Art Gallery and DLA Design on similar projects in 2017 and 2018, so we were delighted to be involved again this year.

With two weeks from concept to installation, DLA’s design utilised the two containers from 2018’s activation, storing plenty of play equipment and games. The activation included a brightly painted shelter structure fixed on top of the containers. Re-purposed steel was used to create the three frames, which bolted neatly together supported by a column underneath. The column featured a metal mesh, enabling children engaged with the activation to attach their artworks.

We also fabricated a dropped steel mesh frame to complete the roof canopy. The top of the structure was covered with sheets of polycarbonate sprayed in a bright red. As the sunlight shone through, this cast a red hue onto the pavement below, attracting children and visitors to the space.