Cover Up / Visiondivision
Our friends at Visiondivision passed along their Cover Up project which is part of a bigger commission to improve several power plants for an energy company. The firm created a storage facility for several heating containers that could be quickly outsourced and serve as back-up power should the city experienced a black-out. Working in an industrial area where the company was used to break ins and vandalism, the firm designed a “good looking, roofless, and flexible-as-an-anaconda building.” Good looking in the sense that this storage facility could better the rough surroundings; roofless due to the fact that the large containers needed to be transported with a special crane truck; and flexible since the need for additional containers in the future should also be considered.
More about the project after the break.
Made from perforated steel plates, the part of the façade facing the street is slightly higher and rigid, functioning as a wall to the premise. Inside, the wall systems are not as high to allow the walls to be easily moved to accommodate the company’s needs. ”We made three modes with different area sizes with the help of pre-made holes in the ground which the walls on the flexible part of the structure could switch between when necessary,” explained the architects.
The inner part of the structure is perforated in a mathematical and repetitive fashion to minimize wind loads and permit views into the storage without experiencing the clutter.
A decorative motif covers the exterior, yet the “artwork” is more than what meets the eye. Various surveillance cameras, a rainwater collector, and even water taps to clean the facade are incorporated into the art. For example, the main door is disguised in a forest, with the keyhole in one eye of a bear, while canisters of air fresheners hide amidst the butterflies and flowers.
During the day, the façade will appear neat, white and clean. Yet, as soon as the sun sets, “selected parts of the motive will transform the building into a huge glowing painting, giving the passing cars on the nearby highway some inspiration along the way and the pedestrians a wondrous object in the anonymous and harsh industrial surroundings.”
Smoothly erasing the presence of a factory, engaging the viewer on an imaginary world were nature is without us…. even from architecture…. is like a portrait of our “self-conscious” .. at this point the whole project becomes an ironic motif, its a dead end.
Well, I think the presence of the factory is still there.
I like this project a lot, a playful and intelligent design. The hidden details are fantastic.
Love it! Very pop-modern
Im a big visiondivision fan, and this project proves why, amazing how they could turn such a “boring” commission and turn it into something delightful and eerie at the same time. Those harmful looking elephants with surveillance cameras behind it.. love their humour.
Perfect for some other place.What a great idea!But,factory stays ugly.
That the larger feeling be amplified, this project deserves to be made into a short animation.
Is here no critisism allowed? why are you censoring my comment?
This project represents exactly what’s wrong with mindless commisions acceptance, no matter WHO the client is or what they represent = greed over consciousness, what a shame!
What do you mean? You’re not allowed to have energy companies as your client? You are a funny guy.
Let’s just add decorative elements everywhere!
(especially to “cover up” all those nasty things
we do not want to see, right?)
It’s colourful, fun and so brilliantly funny!
Now after which I’ll stumble across a article like this and I’ll recall that there really are still exciting pages …
Hello. Great job. I did not expect this on a Wednesday. This is a great story. Thanks!
Pretty insightfull post. Never thought that it was this uncomplicated after all. I have spent a good deal of my time looking for someone to explain this topic clearly and you’re the only person that ever did that. Thanks a lot! Keep it up!
Thank you for useful info.
I just like to say it how I see it. Take care.
oh,guy,it’i realy great!
I GOT A CRAZY IDEA FOR U, DONT DO IT ” lmaooo !!!!!