Cut. Join. Play.

Cut. Join. Play.

A catalyst for change

  • Type Installation
  • Location Little Village, Chicago
  • Author MAS Studio
  • Team Iker Gil, Andrew Obendorf, Julie Michiels, and Andrew Clark
  • Client Architecture for Humanity Chicago
  • Competition First Prize
  • Year 2010
  • Status Completed
  • Photography Iker Gil
Mas studio work installation cut join play 01

About

Steps
01. Start with a flat, lifeless lot and some plywood of similar quality.

02. Select the size of the desired installation, from XS to XL, the possibilities are endless.

03. Cut plywood into simple geometric shapes according to the patterns provided.

04. Join the pieces together with a metal angle after matching up the edges with equal dimensions. As the volumes aggregate, a landscape begins to form.

05. Fill the volumes with grass, herbs, flowers, recycling containers, light – life!

06. When summer fades, don’t be disappointed. We’ll take the plants to a deserving home or community garden. We’ll make sure your recyclables move on to serve new purposes. And we’ll clean up and package up the boards to bring it all back to life next summer.

The proposal activates vacant spaces within the urban context by creating a new artificial landscape that invites community involvement.

Through the aggregation of a series of volumes built with simple materials, the proposal organizes the site, providing a container for different uses: bench; flower, grass, herb and native planting; light box; and recycling and garbage container to name a few.

We see an opportunity to take simple materials on empty land to strengthen a community. A place to laugh with friends, discuss the neighborhood, play in idyllic surroundings, gather in guarded gardens, and grow a humble harvest. It is a catalyst for change.

Download the cutting patterns to create your own Cut. Join. Play.

Mas studio work installation cut join play 02

A sheet of plywood?

No, a catalyst for change.

Mas studio work installation cut join play 03
Mas studio work installation cut join play 04
Mas studio work installation cut join play 05
Mas studio work installation cut join play 06

We see an opportunity to take simple materials on empty land to strengthen a community.

Mas studio work installation cut join play 07
Mas studio work installation cut join play 08
Mas studio work installation cut join play 09
Mas studio work installation cut join play 10
Mas studio work installation cut join play 11
Mas studio work installation cut join play 12
Mas studio work installation cut join play 13
Mas studio work installation cut join play 14

Awards and Exhibitions

  • Winning entry of the 2010 Architecture for Humanity Chicago Street Furniture competition.
  • Included in the 7th International Festival of Architecture Eme3 held from June 28 until July 1, 2012 in Barcelona.
  • Included in Spontaneous Interventions: Design Actions for the Common Good, the official U.S. presentation at the 13th International Venice Architecture Biennale held from August 29 to November 25, 2012. The U.S. Pavilion received a Special Mention for National Participation by the Biennale jury.
  • Included in La notte bianca dell’arte held from December 15, 2012 to January 12, 2013 in Naples, Italy.
  • Included in Spontaneous Interventions: Design Actions for the Common Good at the Chicago Cultural Center held from May 24 to September 1, 2013.