# Enlarged Pictogram Architecture The Design of the Little Factory was Inspired by a Cartoon Symbol By Amelia Roblin | Published 2013-01-25 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/little-factory References: [visuall.net](http://visuall.net/2013/01/23/little-factory-by-florentijn-hofman/) & [florentijnhofman.nl](http://www.florentijnhofman.nl/dev/project.php?id=184) The wonderful and whimsical thing about the [Little Factory](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-little-big-playmat) is that it was conceived through two processes of visual translation. First was the rendering of the archetypal idea of an industrial plant into a pictogram, then there was its conversion back into a building by Florentijn Hofman. The dutch designer had a hand in the second phase, taking the familiar and simplified symbol of a factory from maps and infographics. Located in Drachten, Netherlands, this project was constructed with a sturdy metal frame and sheets of corrugated steel. It's been finished in black to reinforce its iconic aesthetic and its playful form comprises a sequence of [three asymmetrically pitched roofs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/museum-for-paper-art) and a pair of [smoke stacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/complex-1). The geometric composition of the Little Factory has produced a great open space inside, inviting a range of ideas. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.7/10 - Popularity: 72% | Activity: 62% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/architecture) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Pictogram-inspired Architecture:** The trend of using pictograms as inspiration for architecture can disrupt traditional building design and create iconic structures. - **Whimsical Industrial Design:** The trend of combining industrial functionality with playful aesthetics can create unique and memorable buildings that stand out in a competitive industry. - **Asymmetric Roofing:** The trend of using asymmetrically pitched roofs in building design can create visually interesting structures that play with perspective and challenge traditional architectural norms. ### Where This Applies - **Architectural Design:** Architectural design companies can use pictograms as inspiration to create unique and memorable buildings that stand out in a competitive industry. - **Industrial Manufacturing:** Industrial manufacturing companies can embrace playful and whimsical design elements to create more visually interesting and memorable factories and plants. - **Construction:** Construction companies can experiment with asymmetrically pitched roof designs to challenge traditional architectural norms and produce visually interesting structures. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Paper-Inspired Artful Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/museum-for-papirkunst.md) - [Pop Art Factory Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-campbells-soup.md) - [Repurposed Factory Studios](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tengbom.md) - [Neon Illustation-Donned Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crafted-world-exhibition-1.md) - [Repurposed Textile Factory Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/freitag-1.md) - [Toy Brick-Inspired Studios](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/curving-block.md) - [Bakery Converted Art Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-lantern.md) - [Redeveloped Industrial Cafés](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ironworks-caf.md) - [Factory-Converted Revived Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/porcelain-factory-plugin-revival.md)