PLAY PLANT

Carnegie Mellon University School of Architecture
Praxis I Studio | Design for Just Transitions

Design Team: Tai Le, Nicholas Thies, Lora Marks, Sharvi Shah
Instructors: Sarosh Anklesaria, Jonathan Kline, Niloufar Alenjery
Wastewater Treatment System | Chateau - Manchester | November 2024

What if architecture can make visible transitions of sanitation infrastructure? → shifting away from a single, linear, concealed, engineered “solution” towards a more transparent, educational, playful, and ecologically conscious approach?

As a pilot project, Play Plant offers a scalable, localized solution to treat wastewater from Manchester and Chateau, reducing the burden on ALCOSAN’s central facility. By integrating mechanical and biological filtration systems, the plant will treat 365 million gallons of sewage onsite annually while transforming the area into a vibrant, community-centered park.

The project challenges a purely functional approach to infrastructure, instead positioning it as a resilient, dynamic destination where utility meets community, and necessity transforms into an opportunity for connection and play.