Dumpsters tend to be seen as necessary evils of city life, but John H. Locke and Joaquin Reyes wanted New York City's residents to think about them in a different way. In an effort to change the way people thought about and interacted with public space in their urban environment, Locke and Reyes successfully crowdfunded the "Inflato Dumpster" on Kickstarter.
For five days this fall, the 165-square-meter installation was open to the public on one of New York City's streets. A dumpster on the bottom and an inflatable "hot-air balloon" piece on the top make up the structure. The inflatable top was created from biodegradable plastic and foil, the latter giving the structure's interior a glossy, reflective appearance.
During the installation's short life, documentaries were screened, bands performed, and a 3D printing workshop was held.
Locke told Pop Up City that Inflato Dumpster was a success because it made local residents curious about their environment and encouraged them to engage with it.
Check out more images of Inflato Dumpster here.
Related Stories
Cultural Facilities | Oct 24, 2018
San Antonio approves redevelopment of Alamo Plaza
The San Antonio City Council voted 9-2 in favor of the makeover.
Cultural Facilities | Aug 10, 2018
Moviegoers are looking for an ‘intimate experience’
Comfort and service are keys to attracting repeat customers, says an expert whose firm specializes in cinema design.
Cultural Facilities | Jun 11, 2018
Risorgimento, Buffalo style
Further evidence of the positive impact of the cultural centers on neighborhood development and economic growth can be found in Buffalo, N.Y., where plans for the Italian Cultural Center are moving forward.
Cultural Facilities | Jun 11, 2018
Cultural centers: Community-based venues can be catalysts for downtown renewal
New cultural centers have sparked development in the form of new offices, restaurants, retail, hotels, business incubators, apartments, and arenas.
Cultural Facilities | Jun 2, 2018
Topping Off: Pikes Peak is getting a new Summit Complex
The 26,000-sf facility will be green, resilient, and emphasize the view rather than the architecture.
Libraries | Jun 1, 2018
New library offers a one-stop shop for what society is craving: hands-on learning
Beyond lending books and DVDs, the Elkridge (Md.) branch library loans household tools like ladders, wheelbarrows, and sewing machines.
Museums | Jun 1, 2018
The new Orange County Museum of Art will be Orange County’s largest center for arts and culture
Morphosis designed the building.
| May 24, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: Security and the built environment: Insights from an embassy designer
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), embassy designer Tom Jacobs explores ways that provide the needed protection while keeping intact the representational and inspirational qualities of a design.
Cultural Facilities | Apr 16, 2018
Best in library design 2018: Six projects earn AIA/ALA library awards
Austin Central Library and the Tulsa City-County Central Library are among the top projects for 2018.
Performing Arts Centers | Feb 20, 2018
Citrus trees inspired the design of this half-billion-dollar performing arts center
SPF:architects designed the complex.