The Interactive Outdoor Art Gallery
Melissa Morton
This project proposes an all-weather outdoor art gallery powered by solar panels and a kinetic walkway, featuring sheltered public photo displays and interactive floor LCDs for children’s drawings, with hydrochromic rainbow effects to encourage people of all ages to spend time outdoors regardless of the weather.
Design Problem
My problem statement was how could we get people of all ages to actively spend time outdoors in different types of weather; this is a prevalent problem in the UK, where people are less likely to be outside in “unpleasant” weather, and so I wanted to create something that is not limited by it.
After researching my local area (West Midlands), I learned that we actually have the worst amount of play provisions for children; I held a creative session with students at the school I work at, asking them what kind of things they like to see/do in the spare time. Museums/galleries were popular, and so I started to design an outdoor art gallery; the sheltered screens would display photographs submitted by the public (after being checked by local council), and are placed around large LCD screens fitted into the floor – for children to draw on.
Process
The space would be powered by solar-panels (on the roofs of shelters) as well as a kinetic walkway; I also decided to include hydrochromic material on the backs of the photo displays, which would become rainbow when wet.
Outcome
About me
I want to create things that are unique and interesting; I hope to have a career that allows me to be creative and problem-solve.