Drift

Background: The title of this project 'Drift’ is a reference to both the ‘drifting’ tidal edge of Port Phillip Bay due to rising waters; and to the 'Theory of Derive'; a method of inducing citizens into ‘playful constructive’ behaviour to activate the city. The method of 'Derive' is relevant to this work, which was situated in three walkable locations along Melbourne' Bay City Trail. Contribution ‘Drift’ repurposes flotation buoys as urban seats in manner that is tactical, lightweight and inspires playful interactions. These lightweight approaches illustrate how urban activation can be site-sensitive, responsive, and responsible by resisting permanence. The materiality and tactical approach address existing beach and bayside infrastructure and furniture. Individual buoys connect into ‘threads’, by passing marine rope through eyelets. ‘Threads’ perform two important roles: literally connecting individual seating into social assemblages and creating enough physical mass that the arrangements will be immovable by two people. These buoys illustrate ocean drift to speculate on rising oceans and tidal surge in an accessible and engaging way. Significance This for City of Port Phillip project was commissioned through a two-stage design competition including an initial Expression of Interest and further detailed design proposal. Drift was successful in both stages, receiving $50,000 funding to construct the work in situ for a 3-month duration.