Studio Deng's Flatland Horse Turns Seattle Monument into Plywood Playground
As part of the upcoming 2026 Seattle Design Festival, which carries the theme IN[FLUX], Studio Deng will create two of the eight horse installations featured at Lake Union Park. The installations, named Gate Horse and Slide Horse, incorporate functional elements with a climbing structure and seating using plywood. Gate Horse offers a panoramic view of the Seattle skyline, while Slide Horse features a slide and bridge-like design. Constructed from birch plywood and soft chenille, these pieces will be reassembled in Issaquah after the festival. The project involves a talented team led by Meichen Wang and includes support from local craftspeople.
Key facts
- The Flatland Horse by Studio Deng reinterprets the equestrian monument as eight functional plywood 'doubles'.
- Two doubles, Gate Horse and Slide Horse, were built for the 2026 Seattle Design Festival, themed IN[FLUX], at Lake Union Park.
- Gate Horse forms an archway from separated plywood profiles, framing views of the Seattle skyline.
- Slide Horse uses a bridge-like structure with a plywood deck spanning four leg frames between a staircase and slide.
- The horses are made from ¾-inch, 13-ply birch plywood, with brown chenille stretched over half-inch foam core panels.
- Slide Horse was assembled in three units using nails, bolts, and L-brackets for quick installation.
- After the festival, both structures were unbolted, flat-packed, and reassembled in a courtyard in Issaquah, east of Seattle.
- The design team includes Meichen Wang, Yijia Xu, Qicheng Wu, Chen Yang, Fan Wu, Yangyi Li, and Hanlin Cai.
Entities
Artists
- Meichen Wang
- Yijia Xu
- Qicheng Wu
- Chen Yang
- Fan Wu
- Yangyi Li
- Hanlin Cai
- Brad McGuirt
- Christina Vergopoulou
Institutions
- Studio Deng
- Seattle Design Festival
- North Ballard Chop Shop
- designboom
Locations
- Seattle
- United States
- Lake Union Park
- Issaquah
- Washington