The 14th St Y Movescape is a literal and conceptual platform for play and explorative learning. Working closely with the director and teachers at the Early Education Center, Cas re-imagined the Y’s rooftop playground as a landscape for flexible use. The multi-tiered deck has slopes, curves, nooks, and patterns in wood to inspire active, imaginative play. By plugging vertical posts into the deck, children and teachers can transform the space into a stage, fort village, or field of patterned and colored forms creating play with light, shadow, reflection, and color. Seasonally these posts enable experiments with the elements at child’s-eye level. A rain gauge, snow drift plates, icicle maker are a few examples of ways the Movescape can be activated by the curriculum in playful ways. Best of all, these “plug-in’s” can be invented, created, and tested by children with found materials.

Because of its prime location and coveted open-air space, the roof is also an asset to the Y as an event space. The new design will make gatherings, rooftop movie screenings, outdoor yoga, live performances, stargazing, and lectures on the roof all the more exciting as either amphitheater or stage.

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The 14th Street Y is a vibrant community center grounded in the belief that contemporary Jewish sensibilities can be a source of inspiration, connection, and learning for the individuals and families of downtown Manhattan. The Y focuses on health and fitness, education and enrichment programs, and innovative arts and cultural programming. Learn more about facilities and programming at the 14th Street Y.