Archinect - News

Designer creates camouflaged rectilinear motorcycle that blends into the urban landscape

2020-07-31T15:36:00-04:00

Designer Joey Ruiter has recently created a new piece of urban architecture. Or at least, on the surface, it appears that way. The urban artwork sits as a canvas for graffiti, but, with the push of a button, the metallic cubic geometry lifts off of the ground, flips out a seat, and unveils a set of handlebars, transforming into a fully-functional motorcycle. "I wanted to create a piece that is museum-worthy that’s completely unnoticeable and so familiar, you’re just going to walk past it," Ruiter said about the piece on his website. Moreover, Ruiter said that he and his J.RUITER studio is all about "trying to push design to the point of not being there."

In light of 5 POINTZ demolition, DEFACED fights to protect NYC's artistic roots

2014-09-30T17:20:00-04:00

Upon the recent controversial demolition of the "5 POINTZ" graffiti mecca in Long Island City, NY, a group of architects consisting of Arianna Armelli, Ishaan Kumar, David Sepulveda and Wagdy Moussa came up with the idea of DEFACED. In the proposal, DEFACED is an organization that is dedicated to the preservation of cultural landmarks, districts, and neighborhoods worldwide.

Using 5 Pointz as a starting point, DEFACED asserts not only the timeless value of open artistic expression but also the need to build communities where all inhabitants can benefit and thrive. The proposal calls attention to NYC's gentrifying cityscape over the last decade, ongoing socio-political concerns, and last but not least, that a structure like 5 Pointz — although considered an eyesore to some — was truly a luxury of its own kind.

Below is the project in fuller detail, provided by the architects:

"INTRODUCTION: You see, it goes like this; New York City was affordable when it was ugly and unpleasant; whe...

“72 Hour Interactions” to revive Witten, Germany into an urban art playground in three days

2014-07-16T16:22:00-04:00

The world championship for the "72 Hour Interactions" realtime competition is taking place in Witten, Germany later this month! For 72 intense hours starting July 23 at 6 p.m., five international teams will venture out and transform Witten's neglected public sites through nothing other than creativity and architectural design — while having fun in the process.

Each team will represent one of the cities in the Ruhr valley: Hagen, Hattingen, Herdecke, Wetter and Witten. Sixty participants from abroad and from the region will transform neglected sites throughout the city through means of what the competition organizers describe as "gameful architectural interventions".

Learn more about the competition on Bustler.

World's first permanent Street Art Museum is coming to Jersey City

2014-06-03T13:48:00-04:00

Jersey City-based art center Mana Contemporary—the exhibition branch of the Mana Fine Arts art storage, shipping, and packing empire—is building a street art museum in a former ice factory in Jersey City [...]. In addition to a rotating program of special exhibitions inside the institution, MMUA will boast specially-commissioned murals on its exterior walls, a large billboard where artists will create new works, and a full range of educational and community outreach programs.