'rubber house' by zeinstra van gelderen architecten
all images courtesy zeinstra van gelderen architecten


amsterdam-based office zeinstra van gelderen architecten has created a small pavilion
made entirely out of rubber. the appropriately named 'rubber house', currently on display
in the museumbahnsteig in oberhausen, germany, offers a space for quiet contemplation,
meditation, and an escape from the outside world.

measuring 2.3m high, the amber-coloured rectangular monolith circumscribes a perfect square
of 1.5m X 1.5m. to enter the 'rubber house', one must step in through a vertical slit
on the side of the structure. the introverted character of the pavilion is further reinforced
by the hollow acoustics of the interior and the cave-like atmosphere provided by the glutinous,
partly translucent walls. one wall provides a small bench in the egg-shaped room,
while another features a window-frame that ironically offers no view. every element of the house,
including the bench and window frame, is made out of poured in place urethane resin.



entrance and window






protruding bench



the window frame


elevation of the window wall



(left) section through bench and window frame
(middle) facing the bench
(right) facing the window frame