1. Project in the Paint: Transforming Courts into Urban Canvases
Origins & mission
“Project in the Paint” began in 2017 when designer and former England U18 player Gareth Roberts started painting outdoor basketball courts as large‑scale public art projects to uplift neglected spaces. Roberts saw courts as community assets underused or ignored, and his goal was to use creativity to signal value and care in public environments — a concept linked to “broken windows theory,” where visually cared‑for spaces promote respect and active use. (Design Week)
Creative development
- The first court was launched via crowdfunding (~£3,000) and captured the attention of Basketball England, who agreed to match‑fund the initiative. (Design Week)
- Roberts’ designs draw on 90s Black street culture, hip‑hop, Memphis design and Afrofuturism, creating bold, dynamic visuals that feel inherently connected to basketball culture. (Design Week)
- The project has grown from one court to national reach, partnering with Basketball England’s Project Swish and other initiatives that fund and support outdoor court regeneration. (Design Week)
Impact example — Manchester & Birmingham
Some courts, like those in Manchester and Birmingham, are painted to match the visual language of community programmes and Project Swish basketballs — expanding the aesthetic from objects to architectural spaces. (Design Week)
Designer’s perspective
Roberts says the project is “creativity for community benefit” — urban regeneration, youth engagement and making visible spaces that support wellbeing and confidence. (Design Week)
2. Project Swish: Partnership & Physical Court Regeneration
How design fits into grassroots sport
Basketball England’s Project Swish includes distributing free nets to more than 1,000 outdoor courts and supporting court renovations. The initiative uses design and visual identity — including limited‑edition basketballs designed by Roberts — to attract attention and funds for regeneration. (basketballengland.co.uk)
Community‑built art courts
Local councils and communities have used Project Swish support to repaint courts or add art elements during renovations. For example:
- Sheffield’s Ellesmere Park court was revived through a partnership involving Basketball England, local youth groups and an artist who incorporated community‑chosen colours and slogans. The result has better accessibility, lighting and a bright, energetic aesthetic that invites play and reduces anti‑social behaviour. (basketballengland.co.uk)
Funding & culture shift
Project Swish has also acted as a brand and rallying cry for basketball facility upgrades — helping fuel conversations with councils, youth organisations and funders about the value of high‑quality outdoor basketball spaces. (Design Week)
3. Artistic Court Projects Across the UK
Beyond the headline Project in the Paint initiatives, multiple independent and partnered art court projects show design’s role in regeneration:
Brighton’s First Art Court
Brighton’s Saunders Park court was completely redesigned by artist Lois O’Hara in collaboration with Basketball England and Project Backboard, using vivid colours and abstract shapes to attract players and positive community activity. (Valspar Paint)
Barnet 3×3 Court
In North London, a neglected area was transformed into a vibrant 3×3 court featuring bold murals that reflect the fast, fluid nature of the game and serve as a community landmark, encouraging outdoor play and social interaction. (Absolutely Studio)
Writtle College University Court
Artist Molly Hawkins led a painted floor installation for the UK’s first dedicated 3×3 basketball court at Writtle College, combining art with dynamic colours and patterns that energise players. (Molly Hawkins)
Why Design Matters for Regeneration
1. Revitalises neglected spaces
Courts often sit unused due to poor maintenance or lack of visibility. Art‑led renovation turns them into visual landmarks that attract players and passers‑by alike. (Design Week)
2. Boosts community engagement
Including local artists and groups in design and refurbishment fosters ownership and pride, making courts safer and more active spaces. (basketballengland.co.uk)
3. Supports grassroots sport participation
High‑quality, attractive courts encourage more frequent use, helping promote physical activity and social connection, especially among youth. (Design Week)
4. Attracts investment and policy attention
Successful design projects have led to council investments (e.g., Birmingham allocating significant funds to outdoor basketball) and attracted wider institutional attention that extends beyond just aesthetic upgrades. (Design Week)
Voices & Commentary
Gareth Roberts (Project in the Paint):
“If one transformed court helps a young person feel welcome, confident or inspired in an overlooked corner of a city, that’s the impact I care about.” (Design Week)
Community perspective (Sheffield example):
Local councils and youth groups involved in court redesigns have reported that colourful, community‑designed courts help reduce anti‑social behaviour, create safer environments and provide meaningful activity hubs for local children and families. (basketballengland.co.uk)
Summary
Design is doing more than beautifying surfaces — it’s reframing how basketball interacts with urban life in the UK. By bringing together artists, governing bodies, councils and communities, initiatives like Project in the Paint and Project Swish are turning ordinary outdoor courts into culturally rich and vibrant community spaces, boosting participation and reshaping perceptions of the sport across the country. (Design Week)
Here’s a case‑studies‑and‑comments breakdown of how design is regenerating UK basketball — turning tired outdoor courts into vibrant sport and community spaces that boost participation and local pride: (Design Week)
Case Study 1 — Project in the Paint: Creative Transformation
Overview:
What started as a personal, crowdfunded idea in 2017 by designer and former England U18 player Gareth Roberts has grown into a movement transforming neglected outdoor basketball courts into large‑scale public artworks. (Design Week)
How it began:
Roberts launched Project in the Paint with about £3,000 raised via crowdfunding, painting the first court as a vibrant mural to signal that the space was valued and cared for — an application of “broken windows theory.” (Design Week)
Institutional growth:
Basketball England supported the idea and partnered on Project Swish, a campaign that distributes free nets nationwide and uses design to help fund court regeneration projects. (Design Week)
Design influences:
Roberts’ style blends 90s Black street culture, hip‑hop, Memphis design and Afrofuturism, bringing energetic visual identity to spaces that previously felt under‑used. (Design Week)
Impact:
Courts like those in Manchester and Birmingham are now painted to match limited‑edition Wilson balls designed for Project Swish, showing how a design language can unify product and place — reinforcing basketball culture in public space. (Design Week)
Commentary (Roberts):
“If one transformed court helps a young person feel welcome, confident or inspired in an overlooked corner of a city, that’s the impact I care about.” (Design Week)
Case Study 2 — #ProjectSwish Court Revamps Across England
Hulme Park, Manchester:
Basketball England’s #ProjectSwish campaign (supported by Wilson Sporting Goods and Sport England) helped renovate Hulme Park’s outdoor court with a bold new surface in the city’s colours and graphics tied to the Project Swish ball, giving local players a renewed space and encouraging regular play. (basketballengland.co.uk)
Sheffield’s Ellesmere Park:
This park’s court was also transformed through #ProjectSwish with community engagement — including local youth input into design — improved surfaces, fencing, lighting and vibrant branding that promote basketball participation and safety for residents. (basketballengland.co.uk)
Wider rollout:
Basketball England has revamped 11 outdoor courts in partnership with Birmingham City Council and Sport England, with more set to be painted and relaunched in 2025, expanding access to quality outdoor facilities. (basketballengland.co.uk)
Community comments:
Local leaders and youth organisations involved in these projects emphasise improved access, safety and community pride — transformed courts become hubs for regular weekly play and neighbourhood interaction, not just art installations. (basketballengland.co.uk)
Case Study 3 — Independent Art Court Projects
Barnet 3×3 Court (London):
London’s first dedicated 3×3 painted court at Barnet Playing Fields was commissioned by the council with local artist Darren John. A once neglected patch became a vibrant space incorporating full FIBA‑spec play lines within an abstract mural that celebrates the fast, fluid nature of 3×3 basketball. (Absolutely Studio)
Brighton’s Saunders Park Court:
The UK’s first basketball art court in Brighton was painted with vibrant masonry paint, centred on the word “JOY”, making the previously derelict space a positive, colourful installation for players and the public. (Valspar Paint)
Clapham Common Courts Refresh:
Courts at Clapham Common have been painted and refreshed periodically with support from Basketball England, NBA and community partners — showing that design support can also be part of ongoing upkeep as well as initial installation. (Absolutely Studio)
Key Themes & Why It Matters
Design Drives Activation
Art and design signal that space is valued and inviting, which encourages increased play and care, improving both the user experience and community perceptions of local basketball facilities. (Design Week)
Boosting Participation
Well‑designed courts become visible community assets, not hidden or neglected spaces. This encourages beginners and regular players alike to use the facilities more often, broadening engagement with the sport. (basketballengland.co.uk)
Community & Collaboration
Projects often involve local councils, artists and residents in design and execution, making courts shared community symbols rather than imposed installations. (basketballengland.co.uk)
Strategic Investment & Legacy
Large‑scale initiatives tied to events and legacy funding (e.g., Commonwealth Games court programmes in Birmingham) show how design can be part of broader strategic regeneration — not just aesthetic upgrades but part of sports infrastructure policy. (basketballengland.co.uk)
Commentary & Reactions
Designer Voice:
Roberts emphasises that design isn’t just decoration — it’s a tool for empowerment and community benefit, reflecting the values and energy of basketball culture, not just adding colour. (Design Week)
Community Leaders:
Local councils and youth groups involved in the projects often highlight reduced anti‑social behaviour, safer play spaces, and more organised community gatherings as outcomes of regenerated courts. (basketballengland.co.uk)
Strategic Voices:
Basketball England and partners see these design‑led upgrades as part of a larger effort to evidence demand for investment, helping secure funds and support for both outdoor and indoor facilities that sustain long‑term sport participation. (basketballengland.co.uk)
Summary
Design is doing more than beautifying courts — it’s regenerating UK basketball from the ground up by:
- Turning overlooked outdoor courts into vibrant, community‑aligned spaces; (Design Week)
- Encouraging active participation, safety and pride in neighbourhood play; (basketballengland.co.uk)
- Helping local authorities, youth groups and sport bodies justify and secure long‑term facility investment; (basketballengland.co.uk)
- Inspiring similar art‑led court projects across multiple cities. (Absolutely Studio)