Amsterdammers select the winning ‘Hekkenthon’ design that is displayed on 100 construction fences in Southeast Amsterdam Southeast will be drastically transformed in the coming years: Amstel III is going from a gray office area to an attractive city district. This means a period full of construction fences, cranes and road closures.
In order to make this phase as livable as possible for people who work, live or recreate in the area, HOBU organized a “Hekkenthon” – a 24-hour design competition with construction fences as canvas. You can vote online for three selected designs: from an interactive installation to colorful art inspired by the environment. From mid-June, the winning design can be seen on no less than 350 meters of fencing in Holendrecht.
Creative pressure cooker for 350 meters of canvas The very first “Hekkenthon” took place on 21 and 22 May with the designers Munir de Vries, AiRich and Tamar Rozenblat & Ramaz Goiati. Within 24 hours they each came up with a concept that gives the city color during the construction period.
The designs can be seen at hobu.amsterdam/hekkenthon. Until Thursday 28 May 12:00, residents and interested parties can vote for their favorite via this site. The artistic interpretation of the 100 construction fences – together good for a canvas of no less than 350 meters – contributes to a pleasant experience of the area during construction and transformation. The fences will be used in Holendrecht from mid-June by project developer Greystar and the Municipality of Amsterdam.
The designs: interactive, colorful and intimate
Munir de Vries made the work “You Never Walk Alone”, a stop motion concept in public space, within 24 hours. Figures walk towards the future on the canvas construction fence: a smooth movement is created with all fences behind each other. Passers-by are encouraged to adopt the same position as the figures and to make a stop motion video themselves. In the evening, the gates are highlighted one by one as a live animation.
AiRich presents with her work “Memre Bimre” colorful photo collages that highlight the different cultures of the dominant ethnicities from Amsterdam Southeast. From a distance it is an abstract pattern, but closer you see surprising local “ingredients”. “For the old Bijlmer resident it is a bit of recognition and for the new residents these separate elements are a warming-up for what they will encounter in their living environment”, says AiRich. Tamar Rozenblat & Ramaz Goiati transform a Bijlmer cityscape into an intimate composition of colors and shapes, reminiscent of a watercolor with a wooden frame.
According to the duo, it is a translation to look at architecture differently and to make the area transformation more accessible to a wide audience. An attractive image is certainly the work called “Colorful City”.
Announcement of the winner
The online votes count in the final decision of the jury. The jury consists of Mark Kottman (Greystar and OurDomain), Gracia Clijdesdale (area broker Holendrecht) and Mick la Rock (artist). The winner will be announced on hobu.amsterdam on 28 May.
HOBU: Holendrecht and Bullewijk on the move
The Hekkenthon is a project of HOBU in collaboration with project developer Greystar and the Municipality of Amsterdam. HOBU is active as a driver in the Holendrecht and Bullewijk area. HOBU, formed by WeTheCity and Pop-Up City, Vinger.nl and Realfakeshoes, work together with local pioneers on temporary and sustainable initiatives that lead to high-quality, mixed new city districts. More information can be found at hobu.amste
