HEROair Outdoor Table Tennis Table

Building on a 15 year reputation for indestructible steel outdoor table tennis tables, POPP® set out to explore new possibilities - in materiality, fabrication, application and sustainability. Driven by demand for an outdoor table tennis table that could serve diverse communities, climatic regions and locations - from New York rooftops to Mediterranean foreshores, POPP® was persuaded by the infinite recyclability, improved transport efficiency and environmental durability of aluminium. To achieve visual appeal, uncompromising playability, compact, flat-pack packaging and simple, hurdle-free assembly - the team were challenged to balance simplicity, efficiency and permanence through good design.

Keeping with the visual inspiration and heavy-duty character of the original HERO outdoor table tennis table by POPP®, the HEROair design required a solution that reimagined hallmark features and functionality. From fully-welded - to assembled from parts, from 700kg of steel - to under 250kg of aluminium, from cumbersome delivery via a HIAB truck - to flat-packed delivery and seamless assembly. Utilising custom extrusions, robotic welding, press-braking and an innovative 'stringer' table stabiliser at its core, the aluminium HEROair achieved a 70% weight and packed cubic size reduction - whilst maintaining exterior suitability and durability in the wild west of public open spaces.

On a mission to make one of the most playable games in the world the most accessible, POPP® provides free-to-play outdoor table tennis tables for communities, schools and neighbourhoods across the world. Led by principles of good design, colour theory and playable art, the HEROair delivers social, active play opportunities and habits for individuals, destination placemaking for communities and schools, and measurable ROI for property owners and managers. From a growing footprint of over 3,000 POPP® community outdoor table tennis tables - from Sydney's beaches to Nike's headquarters, the HEROair is driving a resurgence in inclusive, all-ages play through table tennis.

The HEROair outdoor table tennis table is designed for the player, the community and the place owner. Identifying a set of diverse and distinct needs and motivations, POPP® took an uncompromising, detail-driven approach to design, materiality and fabrication. For the players and communities, the HEROair needed to both look good and play incredibly - day after day, year after year. For the place owners, the HEROair needed to be easy to assemble, built to last, require minimal maintenance and successfully engage their community and its players - be it school students or local neighbourhood residents. To this end, the key features of the HEROair include: - a custom matte textured yellow colour for glare reduction and improved ball spin; - a heavy-duty structural strength through custom extrusions and a surfboard-inspired 'stringer' net piece; - an innovative net design that enable balls to be 'secured' in place between games - encouraging spontaneous play; and - a surface treatment that enabled the HEROair to become a blank canvas for DIY Artwork. Collectively, the key features achieved: 1) Playability outdoors and in varying weather conditions 2) Durability in public spaces and diverse climates 3) Universal appeal and engagement from all-comers 4) Minimal maintenance 6) Sustainability