outdoor recreation that nurtures diverse interactions between 
people, groups, and the ecologies they are a part of

ludic activation of space for humans and nonhumans alike

a design intervention that is richly customizable to stakeholder needs and contexts

three curving stacked volumes visually mimic the built environment of cities

each volume is an actor, playing many roles in the versatility of structure

îlot amplifies both sustainable and 
participatory design methodologies

strong visual signifiers reconnect us to our ecosystems

îlot can be vibrant or tranquil, playful or resting

usable by two small groups or one large group, the playfully curving walls will gently beckon groups together, transforming strangers into friends

diffusion | shade casting | pollination 

local pollinator plants

sitting | cooking | resting | eating | table

local herbs and edible plants

preparing | eating | cloudgazing | playing

local reeds and flowers

An irrigation channel runs along the bottom of the upper planter, while a pipe will take runoff water into the middle planter. The same process will 
occur, bringing water into the lower planter  and ensuring that no rainwater or watering is wasted.

Rather than assign all the considerations to the designer, this project empowers those who will be directly interacting with it. Participatory collaboration is needed in order to maximize it’s potential within different spaces.

For example, a compost bin could be implemented by adding a recess into the main volumes of the structure (pictured). 
Consignment and bottle collection could be suggested through the use of racks mounted on the structure.

Why not bore holes in the sides, and create refuge for local birds? Why not paint it bright and vibrant colours?

If the structure itself were hollow, îlot could be used to allow a tree stump and other organic materials underneath to decompose naturally. Once the process is completed, we would simply need to move it to a new location where it is needed, and treat îlot as a modular intervention. 

This system could even be used to create hugelkultur systems (traditional method of building a garden bed from rotten wood and plant debris).