This year’s theme for the London Festival of Architecture, “The Welcoming City”, inspired Superblue Design to create an installation where all could sit together to enjoy the space, but also take an active role in making that place. Entitled Giant Knitting Nancy, the project is a metaphor for the “interwoven cultures, spaces and places that help make the London a distinctive place.” By collaborating with sculptor Dan Preston and jewelry designer Holly Packer, the team created a large-scale knitted structure which doubles as an “interactive architectural seating unit.”
More about the installation after the break.
Inspired by the knitting toy, Knitting Nancy, Superblue created a scaled up version, allowing visitors to actually participate in making the growing installation. Throughout the course of the exhibit, over one hundred people added dozens of meters to the structure simply by sitting and knitting together.
The inflatable balls contained within the knitted structure made “an interconnected seating structure connecting people together. This created a space for sitting, reclining, relaxing and playing,” explained the designers.
The piece was a great success and attracted people of all ages to its welcoming and comfortable environment. Plus, the people were able to leave their mark at the festival as the structure clearly became a celebration of their experiences.
