Simply..Cool;....

22/8/2019

This development under a motorway flyover is made of old shipping containers. There is a stage, table tennis, a cafe in an old bus, small smart shop/business units, a green wall and lots of healthy looking plants.

Vibrant.

Do you know of any developments which make imaginative use of what is usually dead space?

6 Comments

Mary

23/8/2019 03:20:09 am

Can't say I've seen anything like that, but I haven't been to any urban areas recently.

Freda

23/8/2019 03:40:06 am

I think I need my little fix of city buzz at quite frequent intervals!

cath

23/8/2019 08:02:08 am

Probably not surprising, I fell in love immediately with the last photograph.

To answer your question, I think our 'paleisbrug' belongs in that category. It is a bridge (brug) connecting two parts of my city
's-Hertogenbosch, one called Paleiskwartier (palace quarters). The Paleisbrug is for pedestrians and cyclists.
It is also a park. And there's only one more: The High Line in Manhattan. Suncollectors keep the bridgefloor heated in winter. Superfluous power is stored and is shared with people living in neigbourhoods around the bridge. The bridge has its own irrigation system. If you want an impression, go to Shutterstock using 'Paleisbrug'. Architect is Mels Crouwel.

Freda

24/8/2019 01:39:54 pm

Thanks for this Cath - I will enjoy exploring. The Dutch landscapers have always been innovative and inspiring.

Julia

24/8/2019 04:23:06 am

Good morning Freda, and Cath...thanks to both of you, i have had a happy virtual amble thru both those spaces: the hatch, and the paleisbrug...neither of which i had known about! I especially enjoyed reading all about hanoi 75 and seeing her instagram photos...did you have some food there, Freda? It all looks scrumptious! We were recently in Duncan, BC and found that they have spruced up several narrow alleyways between downtown streets with new brick walks and bright murals, making them an inviting cut-through to the next block.

Freda

24/8/2019 01:42:35 pm

Didn't eat there this time Julia. Great scheme in Duncan BC. My friend Tim who I was with has made his career in urban design, especially community projects which really make a difference to people's lives.

Simply..Cool;....

Leave a Reply.

Categories

Author

Archives