# Architectural Barrier Walls 'Prison-Wal' Turns a Controversial Idea into a Celebration of Mexico By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2016-10-21 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/prison-wall References: [dezeen](http://www.dezeen.com/2016/10/20/donald-trump-mexican-border-wall-envisioned-barragan-inspired-pink-barrier-estudio-314/) & [e314.mx](http://e314.mx/) In collaboration with the Mamertine Corporation of the United States, Mexican firm [Estudio 3.14](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-sea-of-cortez-research-center) launched a project called 'Prison-Wall' to explore the idea of building a wall across the US-Mexico border, as proposed by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. But rather than envisioning the controversial proposal as a means of keeping Mexican immigrants out of the United States, this concept reimagines the wall as a celebration of [Mexico's architectural heritage](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/racesroots-exhibition)—and at the same time, "allow the public to imagine the policy proposal in all of its gorgeous perversity." Inspired by the designs of Pritzker Prize-winning Mexican architect Luis Barragán, Prison-Wall is imagined as a long-spanning structure that's [painted pink](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casa-magarola). In response to the upcoming upcoming US presidential election, many designers are creating politically inspired projects to express their concerns about a variety of issues around the world and close to home. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.3/10 - Popularity: 92% | Activity: 89% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Architectural Activism:** Trend of architects creating designs to express political beliefs and raise social awareness and justice - **Bold Aesthetic Statements:** Trend of using provocative, daring design to make powerful social commentary and impact - **Reinterpretation of Controversial Ideas:** Trend of exploring polarizing concepts like the 'border wall', while presenting them in a fresh, positive light ### Where This Applies - **Architecture:** The Architectural industry provides an excellent opportunity for buildings to become a powerful medium for political and social commentary - **Art:** The Art industry is increasingly adopting new approaches to explore and communicate pressing global issues, often combining provocative, controversial concepts with beautiful aesthetic expressions - **Politics:** Political campaigns and agendas offer important platforms for designers and creatives to engage with pressing political and social issues and expand debates that can inspire new innovations and impact ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Architectural Wall Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/humanise-wall.md) - [Statement Wall Covering Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/el-muro.md) - [Terracotta Concrete Community Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iztapalapa-pilares-community-center.md) - [Performance-Driven Public Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fourth-wall.md) - [Vaulted Pink Complexes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/babel-housing-mexico.md) - [High Concrete Walled Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cesar-mancillas.md) - [Green Concrete Community Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/studios-workac-and-ignacio-urquiza-architects.md) - [Brutalist Mexican Hotels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brutalist-mexican-hotel.md) - [Tonal Brick-Designed Housing Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/real-de-los-reyes.md)