Build-A-Burn

A serendipity-rich, browser-based social world that welcomed over 25,000 participants in one week.

In 2020, I advised Burning Man on the development of the Multiverse concept — a bold experiment to reimagine Black Rock City as a constellation of digital experiences. In 2021, I brought that vision to life through Build-A-Burn, co-created in collaboration with Topia as one of the official worlds of the Virtual Burn.

Serving as Design Director, I conceptualized the experience design and composition of the virtual playa, guided the worldbuilding process, and led a team of artists and collaborators to deliver one of the most participatory, playful, and accessible environments of the entire Burn. I hosted over 20 hours of live performances, sourced and supported dozens of artists, and created modular templates for others to build immersive camps and interactive adventures.

Build-A-Burn was an invitation into radical experimentation. The world was sketched in a stylized 2.5D visual language, where avatars wandered across hand-drawn scenes that faded into video chat as you approached others—making the digital feel remarkably human. With just a browser and webcam, people could gather for a group dinner, stumble into a surprise DJ set, or join a fantastical quest involving inflatable wildlife.

We prioritized accessibility, emergent storytelling, and tools for creation. Participants could embed Twitch or YouTube streams, trigger soundscapes, create private or public zones, and build entire worlds with just drag-and-drop ease—many for the first time.