samuel gonçalves sets modified concrete sewer pipes by the water at venice biennale

samuel gonçalves sets modified concrete sewer pipes by the water at venice biennale
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three concrete structures sit by the water in the arsenale location at the venice architecture biennale by portuguese architect samuel gonçalves. sculptural yet architectural, the volumes demonstrate the use of existing infrastructure to contribute to public spaces. the project involves the modification of the production line of concrete sewer pipes, the same kind that can be found in most locations. as an intermediate step in this evolutionary chain that starts with the round pipe, the top side of the rectangular version can act as a sidewalk, thus establishing an initial contribution to public space. the third and biggest module serves as a structure that frames future transformation.

the volumes symbolize the use of existing infrastructure to contribute to public architecture
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‘the global housing deficit can be measured in the scale of billions. two opposite approaches can be seen tackling this issue of such magnitude and scale: an inefficient approach and an efficient approach. an inefficient construction system is labor intensive, and this means that, from a political point of view, using as large a work force as possible will keep unemployment rates low, which is just as important as reducing the housing shortage. at the same time, there will be a need for approaches using very efficient prefabricated constructions able to respond quickly and accountably in terms of technical quality to an ever increasing housing demand.’ – samuel gonçalves

the architect modified a series of concrete sewer pipes
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the largest of the three serves as a shelter
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image © designboom

the installation is located at the arsenale, venice
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