fernando mastrangelo builds tiny house from sand and recycled glass in times square

brooklyn-based artist and designer fernando mastrangelo is not one to shy away from unusual materials, working with salt, sand, and powdered glass. in an expansion of his experimental interiors initiative ‘the space program’, mastrangelo is exploring the future of living with the design of a recycled tiny house sculpture planted in middle of new york’s times square. open to the public and on view from now through may 22, 2019 as part of NYCxDESIGN, ‘TINY HOUSE’ is an immersive, interactive, and sensory space that shows how architecture can help continue the lifecycle of discarded materials.

deeply inspired by nature and issues surrounding climate change, ‘TINY HOUSE’ is made from reclaimed materials — like recycled glass and plastic — within a minimized 175-sqft footprint. ‘as spaces begin to be experienced more and more virtually, the boundaries of our imaginations — as architects and designers — are no longer limited to what we can physically build,’ mastrangelo explains. ‘that’s where tiny house comes in; a space where the future of design can be experienced in real life.’

recycled plastic has been cast to create an ombre effect on the dwelling’s façade, while scrapped glass fragments have been transformed into cavernous walls. upon entry, visitors are welcomed into a cavernous, mausoleum-like space made from fernando’s signature cement casting technique.

to create an important moment of peace and tranquillity before re-entering bustling times square, mastrangelo collaborated with new york-based design build studio, brook landscape. in the final interior area, before exiting the house, the team devised a calming courtyard garden, lushly landscaped with botanical life. once outside, vegetation surrounding the house further roots the project as an oasis in the middle of the city.

mastrangelo also worked closely with both anne-laure pingreoun at alter-projects and steve lastro of 6Sides on finding the technology and experience collaborators to create a unique immersive installation. together, they selected delos for its ‘DARWIN’ technology — a home wellness intelligence program that intuitively responds to home conditions by purifying its air, water, and emitting rhythmic sound and light.

meanwhile, STEPEVI’s ‘touch me’ rug compliments the house’s terra room; givaudan, under the direction of karen flinn creative, designed custom scents that change character as visitors walk through the space; and K-ARRAY’s ‘azimut’ system creates an immersive soundscape within the space.

visitors can find ‘TINY HOUSE’ on times square pedestrian plaza (broadway between west 45th and west 46th). the installation forms part of DESIGN PAVILION, an annual public design and cultural happening, during NYCxDESIGN, the city’s official design week.