The 'Jianzi Box' in Beijing is meant to reinvigorate a sense of community in the city while paying homage to an ancient game. The object of Jianzi was to keep a heavily-weighed shuttlecock from touching the ground. The game encouraged many people to come together and to work toward a common goal -- not dissimilar to a simple game of keep-up.
For Beijing Design Week, architects decided to reinterpret the game and invert its meaning to create the Jianzi Box. The Jianzi Box was built on a large vacant lot and is made from thousands of multi-colored shuttlecocks. Rather than keeping up a single piece like the ancient game, the structure instead surrounds children and community members and encourages social interaction within the space. The goal for the project was to promote a sense of spontaneity and dynamism, qualities missing from Beijing's modern culture.
Recreated Childhood Games
The 'Jianzi Box' is a Modern Version of an Ancient Chinese Game
Trend Themes
1. Community Reinvigoration - The 'Jianzi Box' reinterprets an ancient game to promote community interaction and revive a sense of togetherness.
2. Reimagining Traditional Games - Architects create innovative structures using traditional game concepts as a source of inspiration.
3. Promoting Spontaneity and Dynamism - Design projects aim to inject a sense of excitement and liveliness into modern cultures.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture and Urban Design - Architects explore new ways to integrate traditional games into modern urban spaces.
2. Community Development and Engagement - Projects like the 'Jianzi Box' encourage community members to interact and participate in shared activities.
3. Cultural Preservation and Innovation - Recreating and reinterpreting traditional games helps preserve cultural heritage while introducing refreshing elements.