# Abstract Building Block Installations The Waku Waku Station Features a Playful Design By Jana Pijak | Published 2012-12-10 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/waku-waku-station2 References: [frameweb](http://www.frameweb.com/news/waku-waku-station-by-torafu-architects) & [torafu](http://torafu.com/) The Waku Waku Station by Torafu Architects is an abstract art installation piece created to promote Tokyo’s emerging waterfront. Resembling a children’s playground, the pavilion is located inside of a Tokyo shopping mall and is built out of building block shapes. Each of the geometric forms is brightly colored and made to channel the homes, yachts and harbor of the Japanese capital’s waterfront. This [interactive installation piece](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fourth-wall) serves as an info center that engages and educates both young and adult visitors. The Waku Waku Station by Torafu Architects features [modular building block elements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blockitecture-frank-lloyd-wright) that are both decorative and structural. The different pieces can be moved around and stacked in a variety of ways that range from functional furniture pieces to rearranged spacial elements. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.5/10 - Popularity: 39% | Activity: 29% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Modular Building Blocks:** Expanding the use of modular building blocks beyond decoration to create functional furniture pieces and rearranged spacial elements. - **Interactive Info Centers:** Creating engaging and educational info centers using interactive installation pieces. - **Playful Design:** Incorporating playful and colorful elements into architecture and design to increase engagement and interest among visitors. ### Who This Affects Most - **Architecture:** Incorporating modular building blocks into architecture for both decorative and functional purposes. - **Tourism:** Developing interactive info centers for tourist attractions to engage and educate visitors. - **Retail:** Incorporating playful design elements into retail spaces to increase engagement and interest among customers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Vibrant Inclusive Playground Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/falling-into-place.md) - [Community-Centric Sculptural Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playful-sculptures.md) - [Modular Block Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-triennale-museum.md) - [Towering Wooden Block Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/capsule-tower.md) - [Abstract Colorfully Vibrant Playscapes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wired-scape.md) - [Compact Public Art Kiosks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hiroshima-architecture-exhibition.md) - [Vibrantly Artful Playful Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/play-pavilion-1.md) - [Structural Energetic Playgrounds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/archipelago-playscape.md) - [Toy Brick-Inspired Studios](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/curving-block.md)