A bus shelter is designed to demonstrate the key characteristics of the material glass. The key characteristics demonstrated are: 1. Transparency of glass, an obvious feature 2. The sculptural effect glass can sometimes create 3. Interactivity when glass serves as a base for information screens like the ones on smart phones, just bigger 4. Structural integrity, maybe the most surprising characteristic of the materialWhat
becomes clear is that in order to work with these characteristics, the
design has to play with the interaction of glass and non-glass
materials.
In order to demonstrate transparency for example, something
non-transparent has to be shown behind the glass, in order to show the
glass’ performance as a loadbearing structure, a very heavy object needs
to be used as a transmitter, etc.
This last example is used to create a surprising “Wow-effect” for the spectator.
An obviously extremely heavy stone block seems to float in the air
next to the road where the bus line 560 passes by. When approaching, it
becomes obvious that this stone block is supported by a glass structure
which develops from a glass floor.
The glass floor is back lit in different lighting schemes to create a
sculptural effect, whilst the glass walls are of clear glass with
information displayed interactively.