raphael coutin's re-place repurposes deconstructed materials for public spaces

raphael coutin’s re-place repurposes deconstructed materials for public spaces
all images courtesy of raphael coutin

‘re-place‘ by raphael coutin is a project looking at the metamorphosis of urban landscape through building movement, questioning the state of construction sites within the city, and how the community can be involve in the design of public spaces. ‘buildings influence our behavior. they are where we live, work, eat…they are witnesses of the time when they were built. but most buildings do not last. the rapid changes in our society dictate an increasing need for adaptations. it is part of human nature to always re-think, re-shape, re-design the environment; it is our way of appropriating cities,’ says coutin. ‘but during a deconstruction or construction process the site close its doors and hide itself behind distracting fences thus its potential, its history and stories are disappearing with the physical residues.’

the goal of the structure is to bring architects, designers, and the community to reflect on the past, and use the experience and the point of view of the neighborhood to inform details for this specific context. the history should be analyzed, understood, and transformed into a creative memory for a relevant future.

the proposal utilizes old doors and windows

before a building is going to be destroyed, the proposal utilizes the old doors and windows and build a modular space that may be used as an office or meeting room. the frame consists of steel metal connectors and support transparent, grey PVC foil surfaces. then, slowly the interior would be transformed into an exhibition or an observatory on the worksite. on the exterior, an open type of fence would alert people to opportunities and interaction. the upcycling of the existing components would present the last echo of the previous architecture and its identity.

one module

looking at the metamorphosis 

structure on feet

structural connections

modular structure 1

modular structure 2

modular structure 3 

replicating a building

structural possibility

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.