WOS 8 is a utility building. Isolated and unstaffed, such installations are often the target of vandalism. So NL architects decided to wrap the entire building in a durable polyurethane skin and make the facade a playground, "a public square wrapped around a box."
"WOS 8 aims to become part of the youth culture that usually is the biggest threat for this kind of building....Since, believe it or not, climbing is becoming a national sport in the Netherlands, a series of climbing grips are inserted under the polyurethane skin. Applied in Braille, they spell a text: the Blind Facade. A so-called Doorscope (a large 'peephole' lens) is placed the wrong way around in the main door. Normally used to see who's delivering pizza, now revealing the entire interior on a little screen...standard issue, but still amazingly beautiful road reflectors are plugged into the east facade and are sprayed over. Some pop through the skin and spell the name of the building: WOS 8."
Plus, the large through-holes of the WOS 8 design act as spouts and cisterns for water play in the wet climate, and create nesting boxes for birds and cavities for bats. Wow. Such thought devoted to a usually forgotten and ugly part of the built landscape, and to productive engagement with the youth who might otherwise deface it. And it uses a lens, which always makes me happy!
read more at archittetura
Thanks to Nick Simpson, embarking on playground designs at Newcastle University in the UK, for the submission!
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