Transitional Christchurch - Public Art

So as you are all probably well aware I am doing my planning thesis on the transitional temporary uses that have happened in Christchurch in response to the earthquake and  in the last couple of weeks, I actually got to go and experience Christchurch and talk to some of the key people involved in pushing the boundaries of temporary and experimentation for Christchurch. It was awesome. The creativity in a city that is facing a long and slow recovery is astounding, and the public art in the city is of an amazing quality and content. So seeing as I have quite a few pictures and quite a few thoughts on transitional Christchurch I thought I would dedicate this post to the amazing public art I saw during my visit. 

Kaleidoscope Wall near Re:Start Mall

This "kaleidoscope" piece had the most amazing colours and was located on a wall near the Re:Start Mall (where I spent way too much time and money!). This piece really picked up the area, and was a huge change from the traditionally grey city centre that Christchurch had pre-earthquakes. 

Freak Container in the Re:Start Mall

The personalisation on some of the shipping containers actually in the Re:Start Mall was also amazing, this "freak container" near the amazing food truck area was one of my favourites. 

Portrait on the currently vacant Art Gallery

This large portrait is on the wall of what was previously the Art Gallery, but now remains unused. Also outside this art gallery is one of my particular favourite pieces...

The Gnomes

The giant, silver gnomes! What could be better then those two gnomes standing guard. I also really loved the "It's Coming Down" sculpture pictured below, which is actually 3m tall on the roof of a still standing building. 

It's Coming Down Sculpture

So that is all I have for you for now, even though the amazing public art in Christchurch appeared to be endless! I am flat out with work and uni at the moment but I will post again soon on the great transitional streetscapes and transitional urban design/architecture that has developed in Christchurch's Central City. 

The People's Market

Now today is both a bit of a preemptive post (because I am pretty sure this project will feature largely on "The Block" this week) , and at the same time I can't believe I haven't featured this sooner. The project I am referring to is "The People's Market", a community shipping container market located in a car park in Collingwood, Melbourne by Emerge Studio. This temporary and completely portable project, focused on the theme of "recycled garden" is even more impressive for being the first project two part Emerge Studio has created. 

The People's Market via Emerge Studio

  

Although at first glance it might appear like just another shipping container mall, when reading the thought process behind this project on Emerge Studios website, I believe a lot of attention has gone into making this project a high functioning and engaging community space. When looking at the mix of uses, including the COMA art gallery viewable 24/7, shops, cafes and bars and the flexible nature of the space it is clear that considerable thought has gone into making this a 24hr space Jane Jacobs herself would be proud of. Also come on, those timber trees are fantastic!

The PVC Pipe Container via Australian Design Review

   

I also love the fact that all the shipping Containers have a point of difference, whether it be a vertical garden, PVC piping (as above), Bike Wheels, or just the encouragement for graffiti and Street art around the back of the containers. This personalisation really helps to create an activated and interesting site, drawing the attention of the community. 

So what do you think of The People's Market, are shipping container markets simply building on a great idea or are they "overdone" in the public realm? I personally still think they are pretty awesome. 

Advertising the High Life

It is no secret that Pop Up City is one of my all time favourite urban design blogs and a consistent source of temporary urban design and architecture inspiration and this project really is inspiring. Architect Julio Gomez Trevilla has designed a temporary house in Mexico that is incorporated with and hidden behind a typical billboard in Mexico. This innovative project is a true combination of urban play, pop up building, activating new spaces and turning the traditional way you think about cities on it's head.  

An unassuming Billboard via Pop Up City

The house acts as a temporary residence for artists with the first artist Cecilia Beaven painting a mural based on suggestions on what you can do with a blank piece of paper. This project really brings a level of personalisation in the city that Kevin Lynch and Bentley et al would be more than proud of. The resulting house may not be hugely spacious, but it includes everything you need to meditate on your next creative project - even your own kitchen.  

The inside of a hidden house via Pop Up City

Now I am a huge believer in the power of art in revitalising our cities and in the ability of temporary urban design, so I can't wait to see even more projects like this popping up in the future. It is so exciting to see this global trend continue to push the boundaries and I can't wait to feature even more innovative projects.  

Attendant: Cafe Restroom?

So obviously March was not a great month over here at Urban Submarine, and I apologise profusely for that. Between job applications, starting a new job, writing a thesis and having a social life my availability to blog has been pretty limited, BUT April is a new month and I really want to get back into finding the coolest and most innovative urban initiatives to feature them here on the blog and encourage even more initiatives in the future! Before I mention to cool little reuse of inactive space I have for you today, i thought I would mention some things I have in the works for this month in order to establish some accountability! This month will bring us UR{BNE} festival in Brisbane, so a lot of cool things will be happening in the city. I will definitely be heading a long to the Albert Street Picnic and ideas fiesta (seeing as I work on Albert Street) and taking some pictures to feature, I am also working on a job application based on Paddington so I am hoping to feature that either this month or next too! I am sure other more exciting stuff will pop up, but thats it for now - so onto the story!

The outside of Attendant via We Heart

The Attendant Cafe, is probably one of the coolest and most out there transformations of unused urban space I have seen yet - so obviously I love it! This cafe has made its home in a former unused Victorian era mens bathroom in West London, and somewhat to the tune of secret urbanism, involves heading downstairs via the wrought iron cage to gain access to this porcelain based cafe. 

The interior fit out of Attendant via We Heart

With the cafe clearly paying great respects to its original use, even utilising plugged up urinals as seats, it is a great mix celebrating both the old and the new in our cities. Not only that but the interior is so delightfully quirky I don't think you could help but having fun (and probably a bit of a giggle) while you were there. 

For more photos and an article with a lot more toilet jokes than I was willing to make head on over to weheart.co.uk.   

The Urban Coffee Farm

I tweeted a video of Hassell's Urban Coffee Farm process (here) for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival and I am super stoked to share some photos of the finished product here. I think this project really embodies a great temporary urban place and love that it has focused on reactivating a space that was otherwise underused.  Not only that I, like many Australians and especially Melbournites, am a coffee addict - so any place to get more coffee is always going to be approved by me!  The space is also awesome as it actually gives you to opportunity to learn more about coffee and where it comes from placing an emphasis on sustainability. 

Inside the Urban Coffee Farm via Habitus

The design of this project is, for lack of a better word, ingenious. The way that pallets, ply and chalkboards have been used in conjunction with a huge volume of greenery and vegetation really does set the scene of walking into a coffee farm or jungle and allowing you to step out of the city for a few moments (as well as just looking genuinely cool). Not only does it look cool, but you can see in the below picture that the coffee farm is attracting a wide range of people and giving them a collective an accessible open space to enjoy together. 

Outer View of the Urban Coffee Farm via Habitus

There are more photos over on the Habitus blog if you want to check it out further, and if your living in Melbourne I hope you are heading straight over to enjoy it while it's there because I wish I was! 

Barking Bathhouse

I think it is already clear that I am a sucker for a pop up social experiment with a great name, and the Barking Bathhouse sure has me covered on that front. Created by Something & Son (uber cool collaborators)  and popping up in East London, the Barking Bathhouse aims to recapture the communal spirit present of historic bath houses and foster that spirit within the now suburban suburb. Not only that, the design of this pop up truly is beautiful.

Barking Bathhouse Pop Up via The Remodelista

The design acts as a nod to the industrial past of East London and incorporates a range of recycled and salvaged building materials, such as the benches created from salvaged rail road timber. The Bathhouse offers a range of spa treatments as well as the possibility of relaxing in the gravel bay, napping in the relaxation yard, soothing your muscles in the sauna, chilling out in the cool room or even having a drink at the included bar. To be honest I don't know why any one would ever want to leave! 

Reclaimed timber benches via The Remodelista

The pop up has now left East London and after being super successful will be opening again at a new location sometime in Spring. If you want any more information be sure to check out their website and maybe fantasise about the range of treatments they offer here.

POP of Colour

I really wanted to do my Vietnam Recap in an immediate two part series, but I found this over on Contemporist before I could get too it and it is just too amazing! The MVMNT pop up cafe by Morag Myerscough in Londons industrial suburb of Greenwich is an amazing example of a cool pop up cafe that doesn't involve a single shipping container! What excites me most about this pop up (asides from its totally rad design) is how easy it is to create a space that feels fresh and exciting simply with some plywood and some paint! 

The front of MVMNT Cafe via Contemporist

Not only does the use of colour allow the cafe to brand itself and differentiate from other cafes, it creates an eye-catching visual landmark within the suburb. I only have to look at the pictures and I want to pop by (if only I was still in the UK). The outside area of the cafe also presents an amazing opportunity for workspaces or meetings out in the public realm, something I think a lot of businesses need to utilize more. The outdoor area manages to look peaceful and exciting at the same time, although I am stuck wondering what will happen when it rains?

MVMNT Cafe outdoor area via Contemporist

So I know I am totally enthused, but would any one else like to see more pop ups like this happening? 

Float On Markets

This morning I left on a 3 week adventure to Vietnam where I am undertaking a course studying urban design, planning and the environment within the Mekong Delta before doing a leisurely tour up north through Vietnam to Hanoi. Unfortunately this will be my last post for the month as I have not had the chance to line any up for my absence (because I am always too excited about my content and publish them). Of course I am very excited about many of the things I will be seeing (and will be sure to bore you with a few picture based posts when I return). One of my top things to do while in Vietnam is visit the floating markets, especially due to their recent inspiration for the IKEA floating markets in London. 

The IKEA markets floating on the Thames via NOTCOT

Although the floating and night time markets are a key source of income and livelihoods for the Vietnamese people the IKEA markets along the Thames show that urban design and innovative ideas can be taken from a range of places and re-used if applied correctly to the new site. This is a key element of place making and urban design, because if there is one thing I have learnt it is that there is no "one size fits all" approach to place making. What has made these markets look so fabulous is that the inspiration has clearly come from the Asian style market scene but then they have clearly applied the idea to a Western culture as well, particularly the needs and ideas of those in London (and Sweden I guess).  

The Pink IKEA market boat via NOTCOT

There are a whole heap more fabulous photos on NOTCOT. which you can see by clicking here. I would happily visit these floating down the Brisbane river any day! 

City. Living. Buys - Reusable Drink Bottles

So Concord in Massachusetts has become the first city to officially ban disposable plastic water bottles in order to help our environment and encourage reduced waste and more sustainable living. This is a huge step in the right direction to reduce the total amount of packaging we are currently using (speakers come in a box, with two separate boxes inside with more packaging inside that). Though if you are like me the idea of choosing permanent water bottle and forking out between $12 - 35 for it, is somewhat intimidating (or at least it is for poor students that want their water bottle to match their outfits like I do). So I made a little collage of some cool water bottles to help you find the perfect one! 

1/2/3/4/5/6

Now although none of these water bottles are particularly new to the market, they each have their own unique feature which makes them well worth your consideration. My personal favourite is the Eau Good water bottle (number 1), which has a replaceable charcoal filter and sleek but quirky design features. The only draw back of this bottle is that it recommends a long period of time e.g. overnight to thoroughly filter tap water. The bottle is designed by black+blum and their other stuff (hello pot plant bbq) is definitely worth checking out! The bobble bottles (4) work based on a similar charcoal filter as well and the vapur sports bottle (5) is flexible and thus can fold up when not in use. 

So what do you think? Are you going to make the switch to reusable bottles? 

Snail Pace

I am in love with this cool urban art project in Milan originally featured over on Honestly...WTF. Basically Cracking Art Group joined forces with Duomo and Opera d’Arte in order to make a statement about the desperate need for repairs on a historical run down cathedral. In order to make a comment about how the architecture is being slowly left to deteriorate, 50 bright blue snail sculptures were created (from recycled plastic!) and placed around the cathedral to capture the publics attention. 

Plastic Snails comment on deteriorating cathedral via Honestly...WTF

  

As soon as I saw this art installation I was struck by how effective and simple it really is, the bright colours instantly draw attention to the installation and the idea of snails ensures there is a cohesive concept that really marks it's purpose. I know if I stumbled upon something like this it would be difficult not to contemplate the cathedral and become increasingly more drawn to and interested in the cause itself. Plus, it adds a little bit of fun to the city, don't you think?

Mobile Cities

Now I want to admit to you guys something, hideously, hideously embarrassing - I have never had a meal provided by a food truck. This is particularly bad as I have noticed they seem to have been the biggest urban trend of the last 6 months or so and only seem to be growing in popularity. That being said, Australia and Brisbane in particular only just seem to be really picking up the whole mobile food service trend, with Brisbane's only current contender being "The Bun Mobile" pictured below. 

The Bun Mobile @ Newstead via Facebook

Now I can't help thinking that the food truck may turn out to be one of the biggest trends of 2013, allowing us to have adaptable and ever changing cities. BUT is the humble truck restricted to just serving us delicious, specialised foods? Why can't we have makers and craftsmen using the truck as a mobile store? We could have "The Shoe Horn" a bespoke cobbler featuring the old school ice cream truck horn.  Or "The Rolling Press" where people could simply walk in and have an appointment for their printing and letterpress needs. Not only could this trend provide us with exciting, moving cities but it could also allow for small businesses an affordable way to get on their feet before moving to more permanent (and expensive) premises. 

This is one trend I would really like to see be taken to new levels this year, what do you think? 

Transport Accelerator

So, I recently discovered the blog Pop Up City and have fallen head over heels in love (despite being slightly jealous of how amazing it is). One of their features (of many) that really caught my eye is for the "Transport Accelerator" which is a super cool slide that has been installed next to the stairs at a Dutch railway station in Utrecht for commuters trying to catch their train in a hurry. 

Dutch "Transport Accelerator" via Pop Up City

The project was not only used to bring some more fun to the city and encourage urban play but also used as a catalyst project to help revitalise a disadvantaged area. Having an awesome slide also shows that just because something is fun does not mean that it isn't also functional. And I mean, who doesn't want a little more fun on their daily commute?

Semi Permanent? Super Cool

I am currently in the middle of writing about 3 different blog posts (some awaiting my own illustration- eek!) but as soon as I saw this post over on the Habitus Living blog I had to drop everything and talk about it too!  This is exciting because it is a little bit of a departure from what I had originally considered temporary urban design but something that I can get just as excited about! Basically a fabulous creative Melbourne couple have developed "The Super Cool" and noticing a resurgence in "pop up shops" decided to make that market their own. 

The Super Cool pop up store @Habitus Living

Basically The Super Cool live in a semi-permanent state, constantly popping up in new locations across Melbourne. Although the idea of finding a favourite store and upon heading back finding it missing is slightly horrifying, the idea of using different spaces and constantly moving areas paints a picture of a progressive and evolving city. Creating a mobile business also allows The Super Cool to set up in different spaces then where you would regularly expect a store (e.g. a warehouse or a fishing dock) adding an element of surprise and whimsy to an all ready magical Melbourne. 

I know I want to see more of these popping up in the future, what do you think? 

Rethink: The Way You Live

I recently purchased, read and loved Amanda Talbot's book "Rethink: The Way You Live". Not only is this book so full of glorious pictures and outstanding design that it should take the place of pride on your coffee table, but it is full of useful, innovative and important ideas and concepts. What I enjoyed most is that although the book presents a large range of big ideas on living more sustainably and changing the way we treat our homes and daily life, it never took on a "preachy" tone. 

One of my favourite spreads from Rethink via The Design Files

The above spread was one of my favourites in the book and the simple quote and idea that the way we as humans are interacting with the world is changing. This sparked particular importance for me in the way that our ideas in architecture and urban design can no longer rest on the same historical ideas but must push towards a brighter future. 

I especially relate with the idea that a single room does not need to have a defined purpose, a typical "bedroom" throughout the day can function also as an office, a living room, a meeting area, a quiet space and a range of other things so why limit it to just being "a bedroom". I think this idea, as well as the fact that we should always be growing, should also be applied to the urban realm. A park does not just have to function as a recreation and leisure area but can also be where people meet, work, meditate, etc. 

Shipping Container, Container?

In order to keep this blog true to my own interests, I decided not to limit myself to just the outwards design of a city or building but also the design of elements within these spaces and everyday household objects. Now I am the first to admit that I love anything with a novelty design, I am just a complete sucker for it. As soon as I saw these porcelain shipping containers by David Ballou I knew I had to have a set.

Not only are these adorable, they are also functional, providing plenty of space to store things such as pens which litter my desk in abundance. They are also only $30, which suits my student price range and makes me think about going back and getting the orange and grey as well as blue and white. I also think they would make great gifts and although at December 21st I am a bit too late to put together a gift guide, these bad boys would definitely be featured! 

They can be purchased at Area Aware or through Amazon by clicking here.  

Cardboard Houses

I am currently reading "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin (because Kikki K did a collaboration and sometimes you can judge a book by its cover) and one of her tasks was to spend a little bit of time each day working on her blog. And so, I have decided to dedicate myself to doing the same, to stop this blog being a dream and to do the work to make it a reality. 

So, my very first thought was that I should write a post about something that really excites me and at the moment that is the work of Japanese architect Shigeru Ban. Luckily (and to my excitement) Shigeru Ban has contributed work to the rebuilding efforts in Christchurch, by designing a cardboard cathedral to replace one that regrettably had to be demolished. This cathedral, pictured below, uses the humble cardboard tube as it's main structural support elements. 

Model of the cardboard cathedral from Inhabitat.com

The coolest thing about this design is that it can be quickly assembled to allow Christchurch to resume life in the inner city and it can remain indefinitely until it is taken down and the parts are reused in another project. This work really highlights a new era in the realm of sustainable building design and development, that not only fills a need for buildings in the present but also accounts for the future of what is so called "temporary" architecture. Not only is this building sustainable, I am also highly attracted to the simple geometric design and the idea that the stained glass windows can be created by local artists which really helps connect the project with the city and provide a sense of ownership. 

Shigeru Ban has done countless other amazing projects and has fast become my hero. Inhabitat.com has featured a number of other projects which are definitely worth taking a look at if your interested in architecture, design and sustainability.