Urban Conga is a non-profit organization that's on a mission to enhance community-building through a combination of social and physical activity, such as though this fun public furniture piece that is both interactive, practical and musical.
Although the piano-inspired bench looks deceptively simple, hitting a note on the bench does so much more than just emit a pleasing sound. The bench is meant to be played during the day and night, using lights and sounds to interact with other surroundings nearby. For instance, interacting with the bench causes LED lights on nearby street lamps and buildings to "dance." To be considerate, at night the sounds emitted are much softer.
Urban Conga is currently in the running as a finalist eligible to receive the Playable City award.
Musical Park Benches
This Fun Public Furniture Piece That Encourages Play
Trend Themes
1. Interactive Street Furniture - Opportunity to create more interactive and engaging street furniture that encourages community engagement and play.
2. Multisensory Urban Experiences - Potential for creating immersive and multisensory experiences in urban environments through the combination of lights, sounds, and interactive elements.
3. Smart Urban Design - Advancement in integrating smart technology into urban design to enhance public spaces and create unique interactions between people and their surroundings.
Industry Implications
1. Furniture Manufacturing - Opportunity for furniture manufacturers to explore innovative designs and technologies that integrate interactivity and playfulness into street furniture.
2. Entertainment and Experiential Design - Potential for entertainment and experiential design companies to create immersive and interactive urban experiences that enhance community engagement.
3. Smart City Technology - Advancement in smart city technology presents opportunities for companies to develop solutions that integrate interactive elements into public spaces and enhance urban life.