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Projekt Fussplatten Berlin - Transforming Urban Spaces through Upcycling
The Fussplatten Project is an artistic research endeavor that seeks to reimagine and repurpose the abundance of unused construction materials, particularly the fussplatten found throughout Berlin's urban landscape. Fussplatten are trapezoidal blocks made from post-consumer recycled plastics, primarily used for traffic control and construction purposes. However, the project aims to go beyond their conventional application and transform them into versatile building blocks, celebrating the city's heritage while enhancing its livability.
Who We Are
The project is led by Dylan Pero, a Berlin-based architectural designer with a passion for upcycling ( dylanpero.com ) . Dylan has gained valuable experience working with leading architectural firms, including Sauerbruch Hutton Architects in Berlin, where he excelled in architectural renderings, facade development, and interior detailing. Inspired by his graduate thesis work at Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West, Dylan seeks to explore his surroundings for new building solutions from previously unconsidered materials and upcycle them to their greater potential. In this pursuit, he welcomes other designers, partner organizations, and volunteers to take part and contribute to Projekt Fussplatten Berlin.
Research Concerns and Goals:
The central concern of the Fussplatten Project is to challenge the perceived separation between humanity and nature in urban environments. By creatively transforming underutilized local resources, the project aims to blur these boundaries and foster a sense of interconnectedness within the urban fabric. The ultimate goal is to raise awareness and instigate positive environmental change by promoting a collective responsibility towards the environment.
Approach and Methods:
To achieve its conceptual goals, the project proposes the creation of data visualizations, technical drawings, and architectural installations that showcase the endless possibilities of fussplatten upcycling. Through experimentation, various new functions for these blocks will be explored, beyond their primary traffic-related use. These could include transforming fussplatten into park benches, animal sanctuaries, green walls, or even homeless shelters.
Project Execution:
Harvest Map - A detailed map will be created to identify and locate unused fussplatten scattered across the city center. This map will not only demonstrate the prevalence of the issue but also shed light on the lack of collection and reuse by responsible organizations over time. Explore the beginnings of this strategy by checking out the harvest map on our website: [Mapping]
Catalog and Technical Drawings - A comprehensive catalog of fussplatten variations found in Berlin will be developed. This catalog will aid in understanding commonalities and differences among the blocks, potentially revealing trends in different neighborhoods. Technical drawings will provide practical information for their assembly in future artistic installations or other functional uses. Dive into the beginnings of this catalog at this location: [Catalog]
Installation - Based on mapping and catalog data, artistic installations will be constructed using the sourced fussplatten. These installations will be strategically placed in public outdoor forums like Tempelhofer feld to maximize exposure and engagement with the general public. Discover our initial design experiments here: [Designs]
Vision for the Future:
While the Fussplatten Project is a starting point in transforming Berlin's construction materials, it strives to inspire a culture of appreciation for all existing resources. By reimagining fussplatten and other construction materials, the project aims to encourage individuals to see the beauty and potential in their surroundings, fostering a more sustainable and environmentally-conscious urban environment.