The 'Garden of Forking Paths,' winner of the 2013 Young Architects Program at MOMA, was created by Beals + Lyon Architects, by the team of Alejandro Beals, Loreto Lyon and Claudio Viñuela. The stop-and-think architectural wonder was built in downtown Santiago, Chile, as a temporary park structure.
The maze offers tourists and locals alike the chance to slow down and enjoy the city life. "We create an environment of slowness; a new scale for leisure and the unforeseen in a park that is otherwise insistently being pushed and transformed into a productive and lucrative space," comments the architectural team on Archilovers.
The Garden of Forking Paths features neon beams, a fountain and corn stalks. This creative project utilizes the busyness of the city to offer a stark and fun contrast that will overjoy children and adults alike.
City Stalling Installations
The 'Garden of Forking Paths' Gives the Opportunity to Slow Down
Trend Themes
1. Slow Living - Creating spaces or experiences that encourage people to slow down and appreciate leisure time.
2. Temporary Architecture - Designing and constructing innovative structures that can be easily dismantled and repurposed, allowing for flexibility and sustainability.
3. Urban Oasis - Transforming urban spaces into green havens that promote relaxation and reconnect people with nature.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture & Design - Opportunity to create unique, temporary structures that enhance the urban landscape and promote new ways of experiencing cities.
2. Tourism & Hospitality - Potential to develop tourist attractions and accommodations that provide a break from the fast-paced urban environment, catering to the growing demand for slow travel experiences.
3. Urban Planning & Development - Incorporating urban oases and temporary installations into city planning strategies to improve quality of life and promote well-being in densely populated areas.