In the UK, third spaces like skateparks and youth centres are disappearing due to declining council funding, leaving young people with fewer places to connect and express themselves. This project tackles that issue by imagining how brands can help fill the gap. IKEA and VANS — an unexpected but powerful pairing — come together to create pop-up skateparks using flat-pack ramp kits. IKEA provides accessible, DIY design; VANS brings cultural relevance through skate heritage. Set in IKEA’s vast car parks, the collaboration creates flexible, youth-led spaces that promote creativity, community, and movement — offering a fresh, meaningful response to a growing social need.
Local councils across the UK are facing mounting financial pressure, with major authorities like Birmingham, Nottingham, and Woking declared effectively bankrupt in 2023. As funding declines and demand for services grows, vital third spaces for young people — such as playgrounds and youth clubs — are being lost. In the past decade, 793 playgrounds have closed, and research shows that youth without access to these spaces are 14% more likely to engage in criminal activity. This project responds to that need by bringing together IKEA and VANS to transform IKEA’s underused car parks into pop-up skateparks, built using flat-pack ramp kits. Combining IKEA’s DIY accessibility with VANS’ skate heritage, the concept empowers young people to build, skate, and connect — offering a bold, brand-led solution to the decline of public recreational spaces.
The experience begins with a series of bold, eye-catching posters and flyers spotted around the city — combining IKEA’s clean blue-and-yellow branding with VANS’ rough, sketch-style graphics to reflect youth, energy, and freedom. These visuals direct people to social media, where Instagram posts and stories explain the event, its purpose, and how to get involved. On arrival at the IKEA car park, visitors are welcomed with branded signage, a site map, and wayfinding that guides them through the transformed space — from the skate ramps and build zones to workshops.
Visitors who take part in the workshops or skate the ramps can also purchase their own to take home. The ramps come packaged in a format inspired by IKEA’s iconic flat-pack design — a clean, minimal box wrapped with a bold, graphic sleeve that reflects VANS’ raw, expressive style. This visual layering represents the fusion of both brands. Inside, the instruction manual follows IKEA’s signature simplicity and clarity, making the ramp easy to build, whether for personal use or setting up a DIY skate spot in the community.
This collaboration between IKEA and VANS is more than a brand mash-up — it’s a purposeful response to a real social need. By turning IKEA car parks into vibrant, youth-led skate spaces, the project creates accessible third places where creativity, movement, and community can thrive. It’s a fresh, relevant way for both brands to stay culturally connected while making a meaningful impact.
