The recently formed cultural associated of Krumbach invited seven word-renowned architects to design a series of bus stops for the small Austrian village and the finished structures have now been unveiled. The BUS:STOP project is attempting to boost tourism in the region and the architects who designed the shelters did so for free (well, in exchange for a holiday in the region actually).
Unterkrumbach Nord BUS:STOP by Ensamble Studio, Spain
Antón García-Abril and Débora Mesa drew inspiration from the local practice of stacking wooden planks in barns during the drying process. As a result Ensamble Studio’s BUS:STOP for Unterkrumbach Nord is composed of rough hewn timber piled perpendicularly to form benches and a roof. The walls are pretty insubstantial but at least you can enjoy the mountain breeze.
Unterkrumbach Süd BUS:STOP by Architecten de Vylder Vinck Taillieu, Belgium
The BUS:STOP for Unterkrumbach Süd has a minimalist feel and is composed of sheet metal which has been folded to resemble the nearby Alp mountains. The angular shelter has two peaked openings which makes it feel like a tent, or an ultra-modern cave.
Glatzegg BUS:STOP by Wang Shu and Lu Wenyu, China
Based on the obscura of a folding camera, this wooden BUS:STOP by Wang Shu of Amateur Architecture Studio has a funnel shape which focuses the visitors attention towards a window. This aperture completes the camera analogy and offers views over the Krumbach scenery.
Kressbad BUS:STOP by Rintala Eggertsson Architects, Norway
The Kressbad BUS:STOP sits next to a tennis court and provides an upstairs viewing room for spectators to watch games. This seems to be the largest of the BUS:STOPS and has been clad in wooden shingles. A convenient window at one end of the shelter allows users to see whether a bus coming without having to get out.
Zwing BUS:STOP by Smiljan Radic, Chile
Smiljan Radic’s BUS:STOP is essentially a glass box with a black concrete floor and ceiling. It features individual chairs which is unusual for a public space but they do appear to be secured. Radic attempted to bring some domesticity into the public space and the Zwing BUS:STOP also features a wooden bird house on top (although this might be mistaken by drivers for a speed camera!)
Oberkrumback BUS:STOP by Alexander Brodsky, Russia
The Oberkrumbach BUS:STOP is modelled on a lookout tower although the space above doesn’t appear to be accessible. With four support pillars, it features openings on all sides, although 3 of these are glazed for shelter.
Bränden BUS:STOP by Sou Fujimoto, Japan
While the most visually striking of all the BUS:STOP’s, I can’t help but feel that there is a sense of arrogance in Sou Fujimoto’s design that would imply that he’s never had to wait at a bus stop before. The forest of vertical steel rods he has created looks amazing, and the steps nestled within it looks super-fun, but this sculpture would surely be better suited as a city centre meeting-point than as a bus shelter – there’s no roof after all so make sure to bring an umbrella.
Photography by Adolf Bereuter
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