Hirsch & Mann revealed as winner of Playable City Award

A design by Hirsch & Mann, which will encourage people to dance rather than walk across roads, has been announced as the winner of the 2016 Playable City Award.

The UK-based design and technology consultancy’s concept, Stop Smile Stroll, is designed to be a “playful intervention at pedestrian crossings that brings strangers together for a serendipitous shared moment”, according to Watershed – the social enterprise which runs the competition.

The concept involves co-creating pedestrian crossing experiences with local communities, ranging from a 30 second party to a moment of quiet reflection.

81 applications from 34 countries

The winning concept was chosen from a total of 81 applications from 34 countries based on the theme of Journeys, which were then whittled down to a shortlist of eight in September.

Hirsh & Mann will receive £30,000 and work with the Watershed team to develop and test their ideas in Bristol, before touring to other Playable City cities globally.

Human centred experiences

Founder and CEO of Hirsch & Mann, Daniel Hirschmann, says: “Hirsch & Mann are obsessed with creating memorable human centred experiences. To do this in the city – on a canvas that is 100% publicly accessible – is such an incredible opportunity.”

“There is a real responsibility in creating something that members of the public will pass by, see and interact with and our hope is to leave a lasting impression on all the people that experience a moment of magic when they pass by.”