Designed by Luke Altenau and Katie Coffman

Competition for New Community Architecture

Winning Design

Beneficiary Organization
Ballet Hawaii

Project
A kiosk for merchandise sales and information

Prize
$1500 and the chance to have their design constructed and utilized by Ballet Hawaii

Launch
December 2010

Concept

Human Architecture: Static
The concept likens ballet to human architecture, highlighting its structured and static nature. In ballet, dancers’ bodies form structural elements, where legs act like steel posts and arms like beams, all synchronized at precise points to create stunning displays of balance and form. The design abstracts these moments of movement, capturing the essence of ballet in lines and shapes that reflect key positions like lifts, throws, and pivots. This abstraction is then integrated into the architectural design, aiming to mirror the lines and silhouette of a ballet dancer.

Time: Plastic
Ballet also represents movement and fluidity, encapsulating moments in time as dancers move gracefully to music. This aspect is likened to a long-exposure photograph that captures the flow of motion. The design concept draws on this idea, creating a continuous profile that mimics the dynamic movement of dance. This approach emphasizes the use of light and easily constructible materials, resulting in a design that embodies the grace, agility, and fluidity characteristic of ballet dancers.

Materials

Walls

  • Constructed from reused sails and tubular steel, creating lightweight and easily assembled panels.

Counters

  • Made from translucent polygal, providing softly illuminated countertops that are also environmentally friendly.

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