The Beach, a giant interactive art installation by New York-based studio Snarkitecture, is coming to Tampa, Florida on August 5th.
As its name suggests, The Beach is a massive indoor landscape that uses recyclable plastic balls in place of real sand and surf. The World Architecture Community reports that the faux-shoreline, landing in the Amalie Arena, will be 75 feet wide, complete with surf chairs and umbrellas. Adding to the illusion will be mirrored walls that make the expanse of “water” seem endless.
The National Building Museum in Washington, DC hosted the exhibit last year, and it was a smash hit with kids as well as the press. The Tampa exhibition will up the ante from its last iteration, with 1.2 million balls instead of 750,000, and a total of 15,000 square feet.
Amalie Arena, home of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, will provide the venue. The exhibit will run from August 5 to August 25 and is free, but you’ll need to reserve a ticket to attend.