01 — Challenge
Making a city block come alive
The City of Greeley wanted a permanent public art piece that would activate the streetscape and draw people in — not just something to look at, but something to participate in. The installation needed to be durable enough for Colorado weather, accessible to all ages, and capable of creating spontaneous community moments.
The familiar childhood game of hopscotch became the conceptual anchor: universally understood, physically engaging, and ripe for reinvention through interactive technology.
02 — Solution
Interactive hopscotch that plays back
Alt Ethos designed and built a permanent musical hopscotch installation embedded in the public streetscape. Each square is pressure-sensitive and triggers unique musical tones, turning movement through the grid into live musical performance.
The result is an installation that invites improvisation — solo play, group compositions, and everything in between. No instructions needed. Step on it and it responds.
03 — Inside the Project
Built for the street, not the gallery
Every component was engineered for outdoor permanence — sealed electronics, weatherproof sensors, and surface materials rated for heavy foot traffic and seasonal temperature swings. The audio system was designed to project clearly in an open-air urban environment.
The design went through multiple iterations to ensure the visual aesthetic matched Greeley's downtown character while still feeling bold and playful — art that belongs to the street rather than imposed on it.
04 — Outcome
An award-winning addition to Greeley's public space
Greeley Musical Hopscotch earned the YIP Award from Design Denver, recognizing outstanding design contributions to Colorado communities. The installation has become a genuine gathering point — a place where strangers play music together without even realizing it.
YIP Award — Design Denver
Recognized for outstanding design contribution to Colorado's public spaces