A Welcome in Motion
Located at the Aaniin Community Centre, Top Garden is an interactive installation that fosters community connection and celebration through the lens of play.
The project features a constellation of dynamic sculptures set within the public square, designed to spark direct engagement and diverse social interactions. These sculptural forms are reimagined, large-scale versions of traditional toy tops sourced from a variety of global cultures. The sculpture offer a playful 'welcome' to visitors, embracing the meaning of Aaniin; the namesake of the community centre.
By manipulating scale, arrangement, and kinetic movement, the installation integrates seamlessly with the surrounding landscape and architectural geometries. Top Garden invites the public to reinterpret their environment, transforming the square into a hub for creative and spatial exploration. As day turns to night, integrated color-shifting LEDs transform the motion of the spinning tops into vibrant, choreographed dances of light.
Top Garden | Completed Sculptures in Public Square
Top Garden | Completed Sculptures Interior Lighting
Top Garden | Completed Sculptures Interior Lighting Detail of Canopy Tops
Design Process: The Physics of Interaction
The evolution of the Top Garden sculptures began by reimagining the physics of traditional toy tops at a fantastical scale. We explored the concept of dynamic equilibrium, where the stability of each form is achieved through its inherent geometry and implied rotation. These dimensions were intentionally calibrated to invite diverse modes of interaction: some provide grounded stability as ergonomic benches, while others evoke centripetal energy as kinetic spinning toys and architectural canopies.
A triangulated perforation pattern creates a visual dialogue with the Aaniin Community Centre’s architecture, echoing the structural tessellation found in the building’s facade. The strategic placement of each form, balancing inertia with perceived movement, was coordinated with the landscape design to establish a "grove of discovery" within the public square. Vibrant color palettes define individual sculptures, acting as visual anchors that draw visitors into the space. To support year-round activation, integrated LED systems are programmed with custom sequences that mirror the rhythmic frequency of the site, adapting to various civic programming, holidays, and seasonal festivals.
Profiles of the different Top forms.
CNC cut pattern designs within the panels of the sculptures.
isometric drawing of top assembly
Concept image of the artwork at night.
Concept image of the sculptures in the public square.
Prototyping and Assembly: Building Momentum
The journey from concept to installation involved rigorous material prototyping to refine the sculptural forms, perforation patterns, and integrated lighting systems. By testing various fabrication techniques, we ensured that the intricate triangulated geometries and internal LED housings met both aesthetic and structural standards.
Working in close collaboration with specialized fabricators, the assembly process remained agile, adapting to evolving project timelines and site requirements. We implemented strategic adjustments to the quantity and positioning of the sculptures, optimizing the layout to preserve the original design intent while amplifying the project’s creative and experiential goals.
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Low Top Partial Construction
Double Spin Top Assembly
Detail of Perforations
Installation Process of Canopy Tops
Installation Process of Canopy Tops Detail
