Take apart The Host piece by piece and you may be surprised to note that the individual components have been predominantly manufactured as equipment that was designed to deter people or to divide spaces. The lighthearted irony is that, when combined, the various elements create an urban jungle gym that looks like an inviting place for folks to sit and for kids to play together.
This outdoor installation is the work of Nuno Pimenta and Ricardo Leal, located in the Parque da Cidade de Paredes in Portugal. It comprises structures made from big metal beams, spanning safety nets and concrete road barriers. The Host is accented with intense flood lights that focus in its center, illuminating the area for the security of its visitors.
What's Driving This Trend
- Industrial Playground Architecture
- Architects and urban designers can use ironic industrial equipment as materials and inspiration for play structures in public spaces.
- Upcycling Industrial Materials
- Innovators can find creative new uses for industrial equipment and materials that were designed for other purposes through upcycling.
- Urban Jungle Gyms
- Designers can create inviting play spaces in urban environments by incorporating natural elements and jungle gym structures.
Who This Affects Most
- Urban Design
- Urban designers can use ironic industrial materials to create interactive public spaces that engage visitors in unexpected ways.
- Architecture
- Architects can incorporate industrial materials and design elements into modern play structures that foster active and social play experiences.
- Sustainability
- Sustainability experts can promote upcycling and repurposing of industrial materials to reduce waste and promote creative reuse in design and architecture.
