Congratulations to the winner of the 3rd annual Set the Stage Design Competition, Perkins&Will!
The 2025 Set the Stage Design Competition brought together diverse groups of designers and architects from our community to design a story-time backdrop for use by the Oak Lawn Branch of the Dallas Public Library.
Entries included:
“Where’s Peggy? A S.M.A.R.T. Interactive Story” – WINNER!
Explore alongside Peggy, the Pegasus as she journeys through an immersive large-scale storybook full of nature-inspired, teachable moments. Each S.M.A.R.T. subject is layered into one rich, flowing “pop-up world” where color, form, and interactivity ignite learning through wonder and discovery. A “Follow Peggy” animation brings each ecosystem to life with a short animation with a simple scan of a QR code. The bonus media serves to reinforce the story for visual learners and young readers, but is not required for understanding the panel.
“Sense the Stage”
Inclusion and interaction are the main focus of this design. While a storyline background acts as a setting space, curious minds are encouraged to explore with more than just their eyes. A wide array of interactive textures allow young minds to engage with S.M.A.R.T. principles in their own way. Tactile activities and movement that creates motion and sound at “Peggy Placement Points” allow interaction directly with each panel. The panels each represents a different element that can be used for focused activities. the panels showcase elements and symbols that represent S.M.A.R.T. concepts in a way that highlights personal experiences and relationships a young reader may attribute to each one.
“Wings of Story”
This backdrop is playful and functional storytelling companion, designed to spark imagination, a love of reading, and interaction. Inspired by an unfolding book, each unit opens like a pair of wings to reveal a seat and magnetic play structure one either side. Peggy’s wings connect the panels to the character that the library users know and love. Each unit is mobile and color coded to key literacy actions like – Read (Leer), Play (Jugar), Sing (Cantar), Write (Escribir), and Talk (Hablar) – encouraging active learning in English and Spanish.
Thank you to our 3rd Annual Set the Stage Competition sponsors: Corgan, eggersmann Kitchens | Home Living, Perkins&Will, and Gresham Smith!