Selfridges commissioned The Mighty Mighty, collaborating with Brinkworth and Four One Four to produce an authentic skate destination in store. The collaboration created the world’s first fully enclosed skate bowl. The installation has a 360° timber exoskeleton, with its underside exposed to celebrate the bowl’s construction. Above, a cocoon-like framework keeps skaters contained while adding structural rigidity. Many elements rely on groundbreaking craftsmanship. The singularity of the material is notable. The bowl is constructed like a 3D puzzle, built almost entirely of birch plywood. Vertical ribs give the bowl its form. These are braced with horizontal, together forming a lattice of double layered 18mm plywood, providing strength and flexibility. All sections and joints are bespoke and CNC cut. A 3D digital model mapped the exact location of each segment. These were bolted together on site with flush dog bone joints, minimising the use of extra materials. Repeating modular sections enabled economy of design and a faster build. The free-standing structure was crafted to fit its restrictive location. Though independent of the building, it responds to the architecture. A ‘hip’ in the bowl’s side accommodates a column, creating a bend that’s become a skate feature. Keeping the skater and the spectator in mind, a clear curved polycarbonate section at the top of the ramp ‘transition’ extends the skateable area while maintaining visibility.