stéphane malka wraps blank wall with nomadic bow-house in dutch plaza
located in a plaza in heerlen, netherlands, the project extends the potentials of public space by offering a shelter for temporary occupation by anyone passing by.
stéphane malka wraps blank wall with nomadic bow-house in dutch plaza
photo by laurent clement
all images courtesy of malka architecture
by looking to the lyrics of the 1994 song ‘the world is yours’ by the rapper nas, french architect stéphane malka seeks to extend the potentials of public space through his latest realized project ‘bow-house’. located in a plaza in heerlen, netherlands, the small dwelling is supported by typical scaffolding framework, and covers a blank brick wall otherwise blanketed by graffiti. although the structure is immobile, it embodies nomadic functionality, by offering itself as a shelter for temporary occupation by anyone who might be passing by.
the shelter is elevated by a standard scaffolding framework along a graffiti-filled wall
photo by laurent clement
the shelter’s framework is flexible, lightweight, and easy-to-assemble, and utilizes a patchwork of reused windows and doors to create an envelope. through its use of cheap materials and easy-to-build system, the project represents increased public participation as an act of resistance against, ‘the laws of the marketplace and the commodification of construction.’
the enclosure is composed of a patchwork of disparate reused doors and windows
photo by laurent clement
stéphane malka describes the shelter as, ‘a graffitectural project’, in that it parasitically emerges from existing building elements to add value to neglected urban areas.
‘bow-house’ is a realized project stemming from the architect’s recent book, ‘le petit pari(s)‘, published april 2014.
the dwelling offers a dining patio and grassy terrace
photo by laurent clement
‘bow-house’ is intended for temporary occupation
photo by laurent clement
photo by laurent clement
the cheap and easy-to-build system is accessible for replication by anyone
photo by laurent clement
photo by laurent clement
photo by laurent clement
the dwelling offers the basic components of what define a house
photo by laurent clement
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project info:
location: heerlen, netherlands
year: 2014
client: cultura nova – city liv, erol oztan curator
team: amélia chevée, hubert yohann, lise marie architects
photography: laurent clement
