Perch Play Fortlandia

Gensler Austin’s interactive installation, Perch Play, was selected as one of eight structures in 2025 Fortlandia, an annual outdoor exhibition featuring custom-designed, climbable forts. The exhibit, hosted at The University of Texas at Austin’s Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, engages creativity and increases awareness of public art and design.

Perch Play draws inspiration from the rich textures, colors, and patterns of Texas’ native birds. Upon stepping inside a cluster of hexagonal forms, visitors are enveloped in a cocoon-like space. As they look up, they are met with an illustration of a native bird above, while motion sensors activate speakers that play the bird’s corresponding song. Users can climb onto a central platform to get a bird’s eye view.

Parametric modeling, fabricated in collaboration with Andalusia Design, contributed to the project’s success. The event drew over 80,000 visitors and strengthened Gensler’s ties to local experts through community-led design.