This is Not a Subway, This is the FUNWAY by Selin Demirel

In the bustling metropolis, where every day is a symphony of movement and sound, "This is not a subway, this is the FUNWAY" emerges as a transformative urban project by Selin Demirel. This innovative composition consists of two distinct parts: Prologue Pulse and Epilogue Funway. While Prologue Pulse delves into the intricate rhythms of urban life through the lens of Johan Huizinga’s seminal work, Homo Ludens, Epilogue Funway reimagines our daily commutes, proposing a new, playful way to navigate the city inspired by the works of Constant.

The Essence of Play in Urban Life

Prologue Pulse, as its name suggests, serves as a prelude to the project, capturing the pulse of urban life by integrating the concept of ‘ludus’ – the play element in culture. Drawing from Huizinga’s assertion that Homo Ludens, or "Man the Player," is as fundamental to human identity as Homo Sapiens or Homo Faber, the project explores how play can be a vital component in the regulation of urban life and its inherent rhythms. Music and play, both extraordinary tools in harmonizing urban life, form the backbone of this analysis. The city, akin to a polyphonic symphony, becomes a stage where human interactions play out as a grand performance.

Urban Rhythm and Homo Ludens

Huizinga’s Homo Ludens introduces the notion that humans are inherently players. He suggests that play is as significant as reasoning and making in defining human existence. This concept of play, or ludus, permeates Prologue Pulse, highlighting its importance in shaping the urban environment. As Sora Adhitya’s Musical Cities proposes, urban rhythm – the approximate repetition of urban interactions at a spatial-temporal scale – is a natural phenomenon influenced by both organic and human-made processes.

Epilogue Funway: Redefining the Commute

Shifting from analysis to application, Epilogue Funway reimagines the daily commute. Inspired by the fictional expressways of Isaac Asimov’s Caves of Steel, this project introduces a novel means of transportation through multi-layered, multi-speed conveyor belts. The Funway transforms the mundane act of commuting into a meaningful, playful experience. It proposes converting idle commuting time into productive and enjoyable moments, aligning with the ethos of creating a city that not only facilitates movement but also fosters joy and creativity.

Funway: Infrastructure and Interaction

The Funway is a multi-faceted infrastructure that integrates various design elements to enhance the commuting experience. It includes funstations, which serve as the core hubs featuring technical voids and food stands, funwalks – conveyor belts of varying speeds, and funstops, where the act of ‘making’ occurs. These components are strategically placed to create engaging, interactive zones within the city.

Zoom Points: Integrating Play with the Cityscape

The concept of Zoom Points integrates the Funway with the city’s iconic landmarks. Each Zoom Point draws inspiration from its surroundings, extending its architectural program to enhance the urban experience. For instance, near St. Patrick’s Cathedral, high-end luxury stores inspire a funstop featuring the virtual distortion and destruction of building facades through interactive installations. Similarly, Duke Ellington’s Circle, known for its 24/7 dancing, features a sky/jazz club, merging underground funlines with above-ground activities.

Rhythmanalysis: Mapping Urban Happiness

Epilogue Funway also explores the correlation between urban rhythm and happiness. A rhythmanalysis conducted in Paris revealed that people with commutes within a 15-minute radius are generally happier and have more leisure time compared to those with longer commutes. This insight drives the Funway’s design, aiming to create time and space gaps that convert commuting time into opportunities for play and interaction.

The Vision of Funway: A Playful Urban Future

Selin Demirel’s Funway project envisions a future where commuting is not just a necessity but a delightful journey. By altering the speed and nature of urban mobility, Funway transforms the daily grind into an opportunity for creativity and enjoyment. In a consumerist world, finding moments of play and joy is essential, and Funway offers a unique approach to achieving this by integrating play into the very fabric of urban infrastructure.

"This is not a subway, this is the FUNWAY" redefines urban commuting by blending the concepts of play, rhythm, and mobility. It transforms the city into a playground where every journey is an adventure, encouraging inhabitants to embrace the joy of movement and interaction in their daily lives.