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SDF 2026 IN[FLUX]:
Block Party Built Installations
What can you propose for a Built Installation?
Built Installations are structures designed to engage the public at all ages, skills, and ability levels that are:
Interactive / Accessible / Temporary
With a full day of setup and required staffing during event days, this is the highest level of commitment in participating in the Festival. Explore Past Built Installations on our SDF YouTube channel➔ or via last year’s Built Installation Pages found as you scroll down on the SDF 2025 Archive page➔.
Size Requirements
While the Festival does not have explicit size limitations all installations must abide by the Seattle Fire Department temporary structure requirements below. First-time applicants are encouraged to limit their installation dimensions to less than 10ft x 10ft x 10ft:
- Built Installations under 100 sqft
- No restrictions
- Installation up to 400 sqft:
- All exits and entries must be unobstructed and visible from all points within your Installation
- Installations greater than 400 sqft and less than 750 sqft:
- No interior obstructions and no walls, overhead canopies only
- All exits must be unobstructed and visible from all points within your Installation
- Installations without overhead cover and elements separated by 5ft may also qualify
- Installations greater than 750 sqft:
- Not allowed
Other Requirements
- Safety:
- All Installations must be structurally sound
- Pinch points around moving parts must be protected
- Stability:
- Provide ballast as needed
- No attachments or staking to grass
- Assembly:
- 2-hour maximum unload on Friday
- Hand-carry your elements from the loading zone to your assigned space
- no lifts or heavy machinery, no vehicles on the grass
- Show ready by 7pm on Friday
- Reduce Waste Production: End of Life – infinity recycling plan➔ required
- Staff: at least one team member at all times during Block Party show hours
Commitments
With a full day of setup and required staffing during event days, this is the highest level of commitment in participating in the Festival.
- Designate primary contact committed to consistent communication with the Festival Planning Team via Submittable to finalize scheduling, logistics information, and any updates to your proposal.
- Demonstrate connection to IN[FLUX] theme and Festival Goals➔
- Consider accessibility holistically
- No selling goods or services
Timeline + Key Dates
Pre-Festival
- April 9 / May 7 + 19 Attend a Spring Design Mixer➔ to learn more about the Festival
- May 27 Submit your proposal
- June 15 Submit any final edits to marketing copy
- July 30 Attend the Partner Social
- Invite others to attend your scheduled program
During Festival
- August 14
- Install your built installation on load-in day at your assigned load-in time
- August 15 & 16
- Have at least one member of your team arrive by 9:30am
- Engage our community at the Block Party for the FULL WEEKEND
- Deliver or watch your program on the Mainstage
- Unload and remove all materials within 30 minutes of completion
- August 17
- Tear down and commit to your End of Life – infinity recycling plan➔ plan BY 10am
- Unload and remove all materials within 30 minutes of completion
- August 20
- Celebrate at the Closing Party
Built Installations FAQ
Showcased in a multi-day outdoor exhibition at Lake Union Park, Built Installations must be community-centered, follow design parameters, and ensure public safety.
A great Built Installation should:
- Be hand-assembled and free-standing ➔ No stakes in the ground or attachments to trees and other park surfaces.
- Be structurally sound and functional regardless of inclement weather ➔ Provide ballast in case of high winds on site.
- Have all exits be visible and free from barriers ➔ No enclosed structures.
- Have battery or be hand-powered if using electricity ➔Access to power is not guaranteed.
- Be committed to one of the SDF sustainability goals.
Refer to our Accessibility Page➔ and Universal Score for practical recommendations and tips to ensure your installation is inclusive.
Aside from their personal design time, designers must:
- Load-in and install on Friday, August 14.
- Staff the installation on Saturday and Sunday, August 15-16 from 10am-7pm.
- Uninstall on Sunday evening, August 16 after 7pm.
All structures and materials must be fully removed by 10am on Monday, August 17th
Upon acceptance you will be required to reserve a single two hour window for the unload of your installation and its related elements. You will be allowed a maximum of 2 vehicles within the loading zone during your window.
Installations should be hand-carried from your vehicle to their final location and assembled without the use of lifts, heavy equipment, or other vehicles.
Once unloaded and your vehicles have cleared the loading area you will have the remainder of the day to assemble, all installations must be ready to go by 7pm on Friday evening.
Scaffold is allowed but we’d strongly encourage you to apply your creativity to systems that may be better suited for this event. If you choose to work with scaffold your subcontractor must be able, and agree in writing to unload, setup, and be off-site within your two hour unload window. Note that loading zone access allows for 2 vehicles maximum during your single time slot, a truck and trailer would count as 2 vehicles.
- To reduce waste production, designs must commit to one of the following:
- Partner with a community organization who will take ownership of all or part of the installation after the Festival.
- Commit to reusing materials in your own future work.
- Prioritize the use of materials that can be donated to community organizations.