HQ architects installs giant flowers that react to passersby in jerusalem

created by HQ architects, ‘warde’ is an urban installation located in the heart of jerusalem. composed of four 9-meter high by 9-meter wide inflatable flowers, this project is part of the municipality’s effort to improve the urban space of the city center and in this specific case, of the vallero’s square poor condition. the square is currently divided by a tram line into two urban spaces where facilities such as waste composters and an electricity sub-station patchwork the landscape. 

when no one is around, the flowers stay closed | all images © dor kedmi, courtesy of HQ architects

warde’s attempt was not to fight the chaos but instead to try and lighten up the urban space, by spreading around these four elements that have a hint of fantasy, and with their help, overcome the reality of the square. the four giant flowers were carefully positioned to be viewed from all around the square and from the adjacent market. each one of the sculptures is separately inflated and reacts to the situation around it: whenever pedestrians walk by, the flowers are filled with air, therefore they open up and when people walk away, they deflate.

video courtesy of HQ architects 

the installation also serves as a canopy, giving shade to any passer-by that stays under the flowers. as soon as the person arrives and stays the object will inflate and stay like this until the person leaves. the same happens when the tram is approaching the station, signaling the four flowers to open up and the people in the square to catch their transportation. ‘warde’ occupies the public space, giving a new sensation to an area that needs it by creating an interaction with the people that use it.

the flowers react to people walking under them by inflating

the blow-up flowers serve as a canopy for pedestrians looking for shade 

the installation also serves as a canopy, giving shade to any passer-by

during the night the installation is equipped with lights, illuminating the public space 

‘warde’s attempt was not to fight the chaos but instead to try and lighten up the urban space

each one of the sculptures is separately inflated and reacts to the situation around it

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: juliana neira | designboom