By many accounts football is one of the most accessible sports in the world, based on the premise that all it takes to play the game is a couple of rocks for goals and something that resembles a ball. Even so, one of the constants is usually having a rectangular pitch, whether it be a lush green field, a sidewalk, or the neighborhood alley.
So it was particularly impressive when two companies in Thailand created ‘The Unusual Football Field,’ a project developed by AP Thailand—one of the biggest real estate developers in the Asian country—and CJ WORX, a digital agency, to transform spaces previously thought of as unusable into beautiful and unique football fields.
The abandoned, asymmetrical spaces in the Khlong Toei region of Bangkok had been left to collect trash and debris, in fact it was believed there was no usable space left in the crowded district. Amazingly, these same spaces have now been converted into hard court football fields, and more importantly, they serve as viable connection points to improve the well-being and relationships of residents in the complex city.
By providing an outlet for play, recreation, and community engagement, these fields are now fostering positive relationships and creative talent, making way for a healthier society in one of the most populated regions in Thailand. “Because a kid is a future adult, there will be less problems for them having a soccer field to express themselves,” said one resident.
Take a look at the incredible transformations below:
