The Dream Factory, a Manitoba-based children’s charity, wanted a way to make dream-fulfilling ceremonies for their Dream Kids; through discussions and development, the colorful, industrial, fantastical Dream Machine came to life. This series of interactive structures throughout the Dream Factory office in Winnipeg is comprised of a central Dream Kiosk interface, a series of pneumatic tubes, and five checkpoint interactives: a switchboard, a panel of levers, a light-up gear wall, a turning lever, and a lock accompanied by novelty-sized key.

The Dream Kiosk itself features a panel with buttons (many small ones and one larger activation button that causes the sequence to start; the activation button can be detached for increased accessibility for Dream Kids with reduced mobility), an input, and an output. Capsules containing Dream Tickets are placed into the input, the sequence is initiated, and the machine whirrs to life.

Once the capsules leave the Dream Kiosk, they encounter the five checkpoints along the path of the pneumatic tube. The checkpoints each require their associated manipulable task to be completed in order for the capsule to move on to the next. When these tasks are completed, the checkpoint becomes backlit, indicating completion. When all checkpoints are passed, the capsule returns to the Dream Kiosk where the Dream Ticket is redeemed for an item representing the given child’s dream; for example, a Dream Kid wishing to practice with the Winnipeg Jets may receive a miniature hockey stick out of the Kiosk’s output.