The Urban Conga Brings Communities to Life with the Power of Play

Photography by Mars and Moon Films

It was relatively easy to make friends on the playground when you were young: No preconceived notions. No angling for a good first impression. Driven only by the need for real connection—and, of course, fun!

The Hive, designed by Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary studio The Urban Conga in Albany, exemplifies this childlike carefree mentality, as the designers transformed an overgrown alleyway into a “beehive” of activity with six honeycomb-inspired sculptures to inspire free play.

Ryan Swanson and Maeghann Coleman launched The Urban Conga because they strive to design spaces that make a difference and inspire a brighter future. They partnered with several local community groups in Albany's West Hill neighborhood to create this one-of-a-kind installation, which blends in with existing urban infrastructure and sparks social activity through open-ended play.

“In an age defined by disconnection and misinformation, genuine human contact has never been more essential,” Ryan says. He and Maeghann believe their work is crucial in today’s fight to keep to keep people connected—IRL—to their neighbors.

The Urban Conga’s process is unlike any other: They always start with community engagement, ensuring resident voices are the loudest in the room when deciding how to activate a space. And we’re not talking regular ol’ design charrettes with free coffee—it’s large block parties, markets, and multigenerational think tanks, where the secret sauce is play therapy. By helping those involved tap into their inner child, specifically for The Hive project, Ryan and Maeghann allow participants to feel vulnerable yet safe enough to discuss gun violence, inequality, or other traumas that the community confronts daily.

“They wanted the alley to highlight the community’s strength and resilience instead,” Maeghann explains. Each honeycomb serves as a zone of reflection around the area's past, present, and future. Artwork created by neighborhood youth is placed onto a yellow polycarbonate panel, which gives it a stained-glass-like effect. The art is especially impactful at night when the units are illuminated and create a cascade of color along the pathway. The honeycombs also display words of aspiration and contain built-in planters to provide a place for loved ones and neighbors to honor those who were lost in the area to gun violence. Proper drainage and paving further cleaned up the alley to help accommodate a community garden, local compost, a farmers market, and more.

The Urban Conga duo is happy to report that today, The Hive is known as a retreat space, where visitors can escape and connect. So it looks like perhaps we should all try to play a little more, and doomscroll a little less—if Ryan and Meaghann have anything to say about it!

—AnnMarie Martin